UNODC promotes international standards and presents manual on the classification of individuals deprived of their liberty

La Paz, June 22, 2021 (United Nations). - The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) socialized international standards on prison management, such as the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Persons Deprived of Liberty (Nelson Mandela Rules) and the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women (Bangkok Rules), It also delivered 100 manuals on the classification of persons deprived of their liberty to the General Directorate of the Penitentiary Regime, in order to strengthen the national penitentiary system. 

This event was carried out in a semi face-to-face manner, with the participation of the General Director of the Penitentiary Regime, the National Director of Penitentiary Security, the Departmental Director of La Paz and the immediate technical team. Also, national penitentiary officials and civil society organizations that work with persons deprived of their liberty participated virtually.

The manual presented was designed to provide information and guidelines to properly assess and classify persons deprived of their liberty to guarantee prison security and facilitate social reintegration.

During her virtual presentation from Vienna - Austria, Muriel Jourdan, UNODC Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Specialist, highlighted that this tool is based on the research and experience of several countries that have implemented these systems and had good experiences.

The manual is a guide of useful resources for prison and criminal justice system officials.

Likewise, during his intervention, the General Director of the Penitentiary Regime, Lic. Juan Carlos Limpias, thanked UNODC for its accompaniment and support in the process of transformation of the penitentiary system, and informed about the efforts being made to prevent and address the covid-19 pandemic in prisons.

Relevant Data

According to statistics from the General Directorate of Penitentiary Regime, as of May 2021, there were 17,833 persons deprived of liberty in Bolivia, 16,758 men and 1,075 women.

Regarding Covid-19 cases, 2,978 inmates were vaccinated with the first dose and 498 inmates with the second dose.