Prison Reform in Mexico

ICPS director Rob Allen and research consultant Jim Haines visited Mexico from 23rd -30th April to undertake a range of prison reform activities in conjunction with the British Embassy. These included a two day training course on human rights and prison management for prison directors organised with the ministry of public security and seminars with the National Human Rights Commission and the state Human Rights Commission in the Federal District and state of Mexico. Half day seminars were also organised at the British Embassy for former Chevening scholars, interested representatives from overseas missions and non governmental organisations. One focus of the events with the Human Rights Commissions was the implementation of the Optional Protocol on the Convention against Torture. Contributions to these sessions were also made by Isabel Durán from the Geneva based Association for the Prevention of Torture.

The training events were used as an opportunity to distribute copies of the Spanish editions of Human Rights Approach to Prison Management and Guidance Notes on Prison Reform. Conference delegates reported that Human Rights Approach to Prison Management is already being used as a staff training manual in some states.