Handbook on Anti-Corruption Measures in Prisons

This Handbook presents a series of recommendations in the following fields: Managing violent extremist prisoners; fundamental issues; Managing prison staff and other resource persons
working with violent extremist prisoners; Assessing and managing the risks posed by violent extremist prisoners; Prison-based disengagement interventions; Managing the implementation
of disengagement interventions; Preventing radicalization to violent extremism in prison; Preparing violent extremist prisoners for reintegration into the community.Through this handbook, UNODC seeks to formally acknowledge and articulate a problem endured by all jurisdictions and to underline the international commitment to addressing it. The aim of this handbook is not simply to address corruption once it occurs but also to help Member States prevent corruption and protect prisoners, staff and communities from its insidious consequences. This is without prejudice to the fact that the management of prisons is one of the most difficult and demanding tasks that societies require, and many prison leaders and staff work with great professionalism and commitment to provide safe, decent and just conditions in prisons. More specifically, the handbook highlights which articles of the Convention against Corruption and which provisions of the Nelson Mandela Rules are of particular relevance to preventing corruption in prisons and presents practical measures to implement those provisions to strengthen integrity, accountability, transparency and oversight in the prison system. While it is not a direct focus, this handbook also recognizes the correlation between the level of corruption and the prevalence of torture and ill-treatment: corruption breeds ill-treatment, disregard for human rights and contributes to the prevalence of corruption.8 Eradicating corruption and preventing torture and ill-treatment are therefore often interdependent, not disparate, processes. Corruption within a country in general, and the prison system in particular, seriously impedes the eradication of torture and ill-treatment. Therefore, in order to prevent torture and ill-treatment, it is also critical to prevent and eradicate corruption.

Introduction

Part I. Origins and manifestations of corruption in prisons

1. Unique features of the prison environment

1.1. Prisons as closed environments; 1.2.Risks and needs within the prison population; 1.3.  Prison staff and human resources management policies; 1.4.Staff-prisoner relationships and dynamic security; 1.5. Prison infrastructure and capacity; Conclusion

2. Manifestations of corruption in prison settings

2.1.  Bribery, abuse of function and trading in influence; 2.2. Embezzlement and misappropriation; Conclusion

Part II. Anti-corruption measures

3. Risk assessments and mitigation plans

3.1. Corruption risk mitigation plans; 3.2. Anti-corruption units or focal points; 3.3. Corruption risk assessments; Follow-up and monitoring; Recommendations

4. Human resources management and staff integrity measures

4.1. Recruitment and vetting; 4.2 Remuneration, benefits and incentive awards programmes; 4.3. Codes of conduct; 4.4.Training, including on integrity and accountability; 4.5. Conflict of interest regulations and asset declaration systems; 4.6. Leadership and management; Recommendations

5. Accountability measures

5.1. Prison intelligence; 5.2. Reporting channels; 5.3. Disciplinary and criminal procedures; Recommendations

6. Oversight mechanisms in prisons

6.1. Internal inspections; 6.2. External inspections; 6.3. The role of other actors; Recommendations

ANNEX

UNODC

UNODC (2017). Handbook on Anti-Corruption Measures in Prisons. United Nations Office on Drug and Crime. Handbook on Anti-Corruption Measures in Prisons (unodc.org)