[DRAFT] Improving rehabilitation of prisoners

[Widowed Land]

Category: Civil Rights

Strength: Significant

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The World Assembly:
Notingthat recidivism is a problem in many nations;

Recognizing that, to reduce the likelihood of released convicted criminals to re-offend, they must be properly rehabilitated;

Believing that such rehabilitation must include looking after the physiological and safety needs of convicted criminals and preparing them for a return to the workforce once their sentences have been completed;


HEREBY:


1. Mandates that prison infrastructure and safety system in penitentiary establishments must be improved by implementing the following requirements:

(a) Ensure that prisoners are living free of unsafe conditions and are afforded the necessary physical and mental health care;
(b) Ensure that prisons do not exceed 100% capacity.

2. Mandates that governments must take the following actions in order to reintegrate ex-prisoners into the community:

(a) Prisoners must have free access to educational materials;
(b) Prisoners must be taught practical subjects, such as nutrition, fiscal responsibility, and child care;
(c) Prisoners must have an access to therapy with psychiatrists or psychologists.

3. Implores governments to incentivize the private sector to provide released ex-criminals with adequate employment as appropriate to their skills.


Co-authored by The Nox

Improving rehabilitation of prisoners


Noting that for prisoners to rehabilitate quicker, their physiological and safety needs must be protected.

1. Low infrastructure usually causes lots of problems. For example unsanitary conditions of life.
   
2. Overcrowding in prisons often hinders the equal share of food/hygiene supplies.
   
3. Considering there might be chance of unqualified workers taking offices, even vital ones.

Recognizing that prisoners need significant help from the government-funded programs to rehabilitate quicker.

1. Education should be a right to all prisoners.
   
2. Rehabilitation cannot take place without prisoners having access to therapy/counseling.
   
3. This and operative clause linked to this clause does not concern prisoners with death sentence.

Acknowledging the need to employ prisoners/ex-prisoners, which might reduce the chances of them ever re-offending.

Disturbed by the community who wrongly mocks and spreads stigmas and stereotypes about the prisoners.



The World Assembly hereby:



Commands governments to improve infrastructure and safety system in penitentiary establishments.

1. Member nations must ensure that prisoners are living in sanitary conditions by funding the infrastructure, if necessary.
   
2. Governments must ensure prisons do not reach overcapacity by expanding prison capacity or implementing split sentences, if such problem is significant in individual nations. Split sentences law mandates that prisoners must serve part of their sentence in prisons, other part in house arrest.
   
3. Prison workers must go through mandatory annual retraining to ensure their qualification.

Mandates that governments must take the following actions in order to integrate ex-prisoners into the community.

1. Prisoners must have free access to literature and media except those that may radicalise prisoners or cause security threats.
   
2. Prisoners must be taught practical subjects, such as: cooking and etc. Prisoners must have right to choose their likely subject.
   
3. Prisoners must have an access to a therapy with psychiatrists. Though, security measures must be taken in account to ensure safety of the psychologist.

Implements certain standards to help prisoners to gain job after the release.

1. Prisoners must have a right to volunteer for in-prison jobs.(For example: Janitor, Chef and etc.) Jobs which have mandate over the security of the prison(such as guard) cannot be held by the prisoner.
   
2. Employers may not decline job applications from ex-offenders based on their criminal background, unless the past crimes are connected to relevant job.

Encourages governments to fund media campaigns, which will serve purpose of spreading information that will reassure employers/population that ex-convicts are capable of holding job posts productively.

Disturbed that in penitentiary establishments, in certain nations, there is a low level of infrastructure, which causes unsanitary conditions for life.

Observes that in some nations, there's overpopulation in prisons, that usually causes mass riots, underfed, unsanitary and low control over detained people.

Acknowledges that there's some chances of unqualified people might work in prisons. These unqualified workers might cause some potential problems.

Reminds that some prisoners may rehabilitate faster than the others, and governments should reward good behavior.

Tells that penitentiary establishments should help convicts prepare themselves for future life out of the detainment.

Concerned that ex-offenders are less likely to get a job. This problem might cause massive unemployment, further a due, it arbitrarily violets individual's right to have a job.

The World Assembly hereby:

Commands that governments must fund the infrastructure in jails.

Recommends that nations that can afford to build new prisons, should do so to avoid overpopulation.

Mandates that nations which cannot afford new jails, must implement law of "split sentences", which proved to be effective in solving overcrowding in penitentiary establishments. In such cases, detained person will serve part of his/her sentence in jail, other part in house arrest.
1.) "Split sentences" will not be used on convicts, whose crimes ended up with a lethal incident.
2.) Time ratio between jail sentence and house arrest must be settled as soon as verdict will be passed.
3.) Time ratio may be reconsidered, depending on prisoner's behavior.

Demands to make annual retraining of workers in prisons, to make sure only qualified candidates work there.

Mandates to let the detainee out of a prison for one day after good behavior.(For example: Cleaning kitchens, toilets, cells; Having healthy relationships with other prisoners; Having no rule broken since the arrest; Not missing therapies with psychologist). Hosting family or friend(s) of detainee will take responsibility for him/her during one day release.
1.) Prisoner will be judged by a psychologist;
2.) During one day release, convict will be reunited with the family/close friend(s);
3.) Prisoner will be under a surveillance and will be prohibited to exit the house;
4.) Only time a detainee can leave the house is for medical reasons, with escort of police;
5.) There will be no sanctioning for criminals who were detained for a murder and terrorism;
6.) Consent from the family/close friend(s) and prisoner is needed, without consent no such actions will take place.
7.) Governments must determine their own standards of good behaviour with the guidance of above mentioned examples. How extended the good behaviour must be to allow one day release, also depends on governments' choice.

Commands that prisoners must have therapies with pyschologists, preparing them for future social life.
1.) This clause does not concern either convicts with lifelong detainment, or who are sentenced to capital punishment.
2.) Extremely violent detainees who may harm or kill the psychologist will be permitted to the meetings if convict will be handicapped.
3.) Guards must standby the psychologist, during the therapy, to guarantee safety.

Bans the rejection of a candidate for an open job, based solely on their criminal background.
1.) Exceptions can be made, if ex-convict is applying for a job, which can directly be linked to his/her alleged crime. (for example: If ex-offender was detained because of child abuse, employer might deny job in Kindergarten/School)

Encourages government to fund media campaigns, which will serve purpose of spreading information that will reassure employers/population that ex-convicts are capable of holding job posts productively.

[Marxist Germany]

OOC:No operative clause and if it exists then it duplicates GA#161 Medical Standards in Prisons
illegal

[Widowed Land]

Okay, I'll delete the medical clauses. Anything else?

[Marxist Germany]

OOC:This still has no operative clause

[Grays Harbor]

Reminding, that prisoners are still human beings and they must be treated according to human rights.pointless fluff, and inaccurate fluff at that.

Disturbed, that in penitentiary establishments, there is a low level of infrastructure, which in most cases, cause unsanitary conditions for life. a bit of a sweeping statement there. Just where are you getting your info?

Noticing, that there's malnutrition amongst prisoners, because of poor choice of food. Also, reminding that certain people cannot eat certain food(vegetarians, vegans, religious)there is rampant malnutrition? Again, where do you get this?

Shocked, that in many of WA nations, prisoners have no right to vote on elections and referendums.so?

Observing, that in many nations, there's overpopulation in prisons, that usually causes mass riots, underfed, unsanitary and less control over detained people.cause-criminals break laws and get sent to prison. Solution-don’t break the damned law.

Angered, that unqualified workers run the prisons. These unqualified workers often overwhelm their authority and start discrimination against prisoners.this is bullshit and insulting.



Consulting, that governments should fund the infrastructure in jails, or problem will never be solved.yes, because throwing money at something is *always* the answer, eh?

Offering, that prisons should have special experts, who will look after daily food service. These experts will make sure to satisfy prisoners needs.who do you think works in the kitchens? Plumbers?

Recommending, to reconsider giving prisoners their absolute right to vote on elections/referendums.why?

Observing, that some nations can afford building new prisons to avoid overpopulation. Others may implement law of "split sentences", which proved to be effective in solving overpopulation in penitentiary establishments.or ... people can stop breaking the damned laws.

Asking, to make annual retraining of workers in prisons, to make sure only qualified candidates work there. annual retraining? Riiight. Because no law enforcement personnel are *ever* trained for their job.

Overall, this is a weird solution in search of a problem. It has a very long way to go before it can be something even remotely acceptable, and not insulting and denigrating all law enforcement personnel.

[Maowi]

OOC: Whatever your opinion on the situation of prisons in real life, remember that NS is not real life and you can't make sweeping assumptions of the state of prisons in NS. Many nations will roleplay having excellent prisons.

[BlackLight Covenant]

So the first glaring issue I spot right off the bat is the fact that this proposal seems to assume that all prison staff consists of untrained Luddites. I'd strongly suggest overhauling all of that first, as it's both untrue and quite insulting to said staff. Yes, I understand you wish to set a standard, but in its current form, it's mostly just a slap in the face of all personnel responsible for the operation of prisons.

Secondly, I'd take a look at this whole "all prisons are starving, overpopulated hellholes" as I'm not convinced that this is any kind of correct. Of course, part of that would also be caused by what Maowi mentioned, but still. In addition to this apparent assumption adding more insult to prison staff, it also makes it seem as if this proposal assumes that nations run their prisons in the most incompetent way possible, which I'm fairly certain is often not the case.

And lastly, the prisoner voting rights thing...just why? If people break laws and end up in jail, they maintain certain rights, and lose certain rights. Voting rights should definitely be part of the latter category. Of course, perhaps you can try to provide me with a reason why they SHOULD be allowed to vote, eh?

[Widowed Land]

Well, just because these low standards of prisons doesn't apply to all of the nations, it doesn't mean that all WA members have perfect standards. Some have good ration of food, some have qualified staff and etc. The point is to make a standard... A prison standard and Prisoner's rights isn't quite the title, I only choice it because the voting thing. Why voting you ask... Well when I agree that detained people with vile felonies shouldn't have such rights, why should we strip someone of voting because they, idk... robbed a house or pickpocketed someone. They are lawbreakers, but certainly they are not villains, and I see i have to specify that. And question: what is an operative clause?

[Widowed Land]

Oh and only if overpopulation in prisons could've been solved as easily. I had researched it several months ago, so it's a hard thing to solve and you can't just tell a person: Yo... Stop breaking laws. So called split sentences and building more prisons is only effective way to solve this HUGE problem. Cause imagine 10-20 prisoners in one cell, yea that's not how peace is being kept. And i understand that NationStates isn't our real world, but I am sure there's tons of nations with low standard of prisons. So why not discuss it?

[Morover]

OOC: Illegal for optionality, as well as a lack of a category and strength. It's an admirable initiative, but it requires a massive amount of work. Also, I'd define what a "split sentence" is.

I'd also rewrite this into more comprehensible English, if I'm being frank with you.

[Araraukar]

OOC: GA #194, Treatment of Inmates is a good example of why just searching the passed resolutions thread with "prison" won't get you all the relevant things...

[Marxist Germany]

OOC: GA #194, Treatment of Inmates is a good example of why just searching the passed resolutions thread with "prison" won't get you all the relevant things...

OOC:This ^. Always remember to search all the relevant keywords

[New Udonia]

Reminding, that prisoners are still human beings... human rights.

Should probably use the term, sentient beings, as some of our fellow NationStates players don't contain human populations.

[Widowed Land]

OOC: GA #194, Treatment of Inmates is a good example of why just searching the passed resolutions thread with "prison" won't get you all the relevant things...

OOC:This ^. Always remember to search all the relevant keywords

Never would've guessed that someone would use inmate, but whatever. I checked it and only thing we have in common is the diet clauses. Which I can remove, but I have quite more than that, and I am thinking of adding few new clauses, so definitely not identical.

[Separatist Peoples]

"Opposed. Permitting prisoners to vote in local elections could have disastrous effects on local towns and counties."

[Widowed Land]

I get the confusion here, this is kinda mix of human rights and prison standards, but those two have quite a connection. First things first I replaced "most nations/staff members" with "some" to not offend certain nations/workers. Second, I deleted that "opening statement" cause whatever, not needed. Thinking of adding few clauses, glad if you'll find some mistakes.

[Marxist Germany]

OOC:Recommending, observing, asking, offering or consulting all do nothing which means that this is still illegal for no operative clause.

[Separatist Peoples]

OOC:Recommending, observing, asking, offering or consulting all do nothing which means that this is still illegal for no operative clause.

OOC: Wrong. Those are operative, just not mandatory.

[Widowed Land]

I want to keep this resolution as a recommendation for natoons rather than mandatory legislation. At least the official form. But if needs be, words can be changed with several clicks on the keyboard.

[Separatist Peoples]

I want to keep this resolution as a recommendation for natoons rather than mandatory legislation. At least the official form. But if needs be, words can be changed with several clicks on the keyboard.

"Then, ambassador, expect most nations to ignore it."

[Widowed Land]

I am standing firmly on my views about voting and I want this resolution not to make governments to legalize it, but rather make them reconsider to grant light felons their absolute right. So this isn't 100% recommendation... Same with retraining

Spend some money on infrastructure and etc (bla blah) is a recommendation, cause not everyone can afford it.

[Marxist Germany]

OOC:Recommending, observing, asking, offering or consulting all do nothing which means that this is still illegal for no operative clause.

OOC: Wrong. Those are operative, just not mandatory.

OOC:Oh ok.

[Marxist Germany]

I am standing firmly on my views about voting and I want this resolution not to make governments to legalize it, but rather make them reconsider to grant light felons their absolute right. So this isn't 100% recommendation... Same with retraining

Spend some money on infrastructure and etc (bla blah) is a recommendation, cause not everyone can afford it.

"A resolution that only recommends is not a very useful one"

[Widowed Land]

I am standing firmly on my views about voting and I want this resolution not to make governments to legalize it, but rather make them reconsider to grant light felons their absolute right. So this isn't 100% recommendation... Same with retraining

Spend some money on infrastructure and etc (bla blah) is a recommendation, cause not everyone can afford it.

"A resolution that only recommends is not a very useful one"

I am not only recommending. Again, retraining clause and vote right reconsideration is mandatory.

OOC: besides, most of UN resolutions are recommendations.

[Imperium Anglorum]

We are not the UN. The World Assembly, unlike the UN, has plenary authority.