Formulation and Application of United nations Standards and Norms in Criminal Justice (From Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Milan, Italy, 1985, P 115-138, Leona Jorgensen and Jack Sandry, eds. - See NCJ-100063)

• NCJ Number: 100068
• Author(s): P Loof; D Biles
• Date Published: 1985
• Length: 24 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Type: Guideline
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

These two papers examine the Australian approach to implementing mechanisms for human rights and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (UNSMR).

Abstract

While the incorporation of guarantees of basic human rights into the Australian Constitution is a long-term objective, the Government has enacted various specific laws toward this end, and has established a human rights commission to examine infringements of rights and undertake promotional activities. Implementation has involved recognition of the need for legislation to supplement common law; a variety of effective remedies for violations; formal administrative machinery for investigation of infringements and education, research, and other programs to promote human rights. Responses to a questionnarie on implementation of prison standards indicates that the UNSMR have been a seminal force in the formulation of prison regulations in all States except Tasmania and the Northern Territory. All jurisdictions claim that the rules are widely disseminated among prison staff during initial and inservice training. All jurisdictions see the rules as useful aids in achieving goals of human containment and increasing prison officers' awareness and responsibility. Tabular data and 12 references.