United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners – "Mandela Rules" passed

On 22 May 2015, the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (24th Session) adopted the 22 May 2015 – United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules).  These rules–known as the “Mandela Rules”–provide much needed clarity to the treatment of prisoners worldwide, including pretrial detainees. In a recent press release, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime encouraged states to adopt these minimum standards in their domestic legislation: Countries are encouraged to reflect the “Mandela Rules” in their national legislation so that prison administrators can apply them in their daily work. The NGO, Penal Reform, published a version of the Mandela Rules showing their substantive revisions. The Mandela Rules are reproduced below.  Section II.C specifically addresses rights unique to pretrial detainees.       I. Rules of general application Basic principles Rule 1 All prisoners shall be treated with the respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. No prisoner shall be subjected to, and all prisoners shall be protected from, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, for which no circumstances whatsoever may be invoked as a justification. The safety and security of prisoners, staff, service providers and visitors shall be ensured at all times. Rule 2 1. The present rules shall be applied impartially. There shall be no discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or any other status. The religious beliefs and moral precepts of prisoners shall be respected. 2. In order for the principle of non-discrimination to be put into practice,...