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INPROL Consolidated Response (07-007)

With contributions from Gary Hill, Mike Runnels, Gareth Davies, J. O’ Neil G. Pouliot,Donald Stolworthy, Paul Woodward, Fraser Bryans.Prepared by Leigh Toomey

INPROL is a project of the United States Institute of Peace with facilitation support from the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, and the Public International Law & Policy Group.

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INPROL Consolidated Response (07-007)

November 29, 2007

Submitted by:

Peter Chege, United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC)

Drafted by:

Leigh Toomey, INPROL Rule of Law Facilitator

With contributions from:

1.Gary Hill, Chief Executive Officer, CEGA Services2. Mike Runnels, Deputy Director, Corrections System Support Program, UnitedStates Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and LawEnforcement Affairs, PAE-HSC, Afghanistan3.Gareth Davies, Consultant, formerly with Her Majesty’s Prison Service, UnitedKingdom4.J. O’Neil G. Pouliot, formerly with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police andINPROL Police Commanders Forum Facilitator 5.Donald Stolworthy, Senior Corrections Advisor, United States Department of State, Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Office of Civilian Police and Rule of Law6.Paul Woodward, Deputy Director, Strategic Intelligence, Correctional Service of Canada7.Fraser Bryans, Forum Facilitator, International Corrections and PrisonsAssociationThis query was referred to INPROL by the United Nations Department of PeacekeepingOperations which originally received the query through its own discussion forum.INPROL cross-posted the query to its Rule of Law Discussion Forum and obtainedresponses that have been used to compile this consolidated response. The full text of responses can be found athttp://www.inprol.org/node/2349. INPROL invites further comment by members.

Note:

All opinions stated in this consolidated response have been made in a personalcapacity and do not necessarily reflect the views of particular organizations. INPROLdoes not explicitly advocate policies.

November 2007 INPROL Consolidated Response (

07-007

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Background:

One of the immediate challenges in restoring peace and stability in a society striving toemerge from conflict is developing a prison security system that both prevents prisoninmates from escaping and protects corrections officers. The issues that need to beaddressed often include inexperienced, untrained and poorly paid prison staff who donot have appropriate weapons and equipment, the lack of secure prison buildings andinfrastructure, and a shortage of furnishings and other resources. Security measuresmust be urgently implemented to establish an adequate level of prison security thatmeets international human rights standards and can be developed and sustained by anew government with competing funding priorities.

Query:

Is there a template that can be used in the short-term to develop a prison securitysystem in a post-conflict environment? If not, what steps can corrections professionalstake to develop and implement security measures in prisons as quickly as possible?

Response Summary:

The re-establishment or strengthening of the administration of prison systems incountries emerging from conflict is relatively new and as a result, there is no establishedframework for developing and implementing a prison security strategy. Although thereare recurring challenges to be addressed in all prison systems, the solutions depend onthe specific country context and the resources and capabilities of those responsible for managing the prison system. Among the critical considerations are the degree of damage to existing prison facilities, the competency of prison system leadership andstaff, the extent of their partisan affiliation with groups associated with the conflict, theinternational and local resources available to develop a response, and most important,the extent of political will to correct critical defects in the prison system.There are a number of steps that corrections professionals can take to improve prisonsecurity, both in terms of securing the available physical infrastructure and developingappropriate security procedures. Reforms should only be undertaken after a careful andcomprehensive assessment has been made of the prison system. This should includenational prison law; existing infrastructure; a profile of current prison staff; and a reviewof existing practices, procedures, and government policies for the prison system. Anapproach to prison management that includes a security strategy, tailored to the specificcontext, including existing and prospective resources, can then be developed.

Prison Infrastructure:

When damage to prison infrastructure is extensive or existing facilities are inadequate,new prisons will need to be built. Damaged prison facilities should be assessed by astructural engineer before repair work is undertaken. The plan must also take into