The 183rd International Senior Seminar“Management of Correctional Institutions in the 21st Century– with a focus on the Nelson Mandela Rules”
1. Duration and Participants- From 11 January to 6 February 2023
- 14 overseas participants from 13 countries- 3 participants from Japan
2. Seminar Overview
In order to create a safer and more just society, correctional institutions have two main
responsibilities: to protect society from crime and reduce reoffending. To fulfil these
responsibilities, criminal justice authorities are obliged to take necessary measures to ensurethat prisoners are safely held in custody, ensure that each offender’s human rights are respected,
and support their reintegration into society as law-abiding citizens. In this regard, theseunderpinning principles have been recognized in the international community throughinternational standards and norms, represented by the Standard Minimum Rules for theTreatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly, which proclaim those principles and embody them in a set of guidelines. The
Nelson Mandela Rules call for respectful and fair treatment of inmates, promoting humaneconditions of confinement. All these are indispensable preconditions for a rehabilitativeenvironment in prison.
The purpose of the Seminar was to consider the management of correctional institutionsin the 21st century based on the International Standards and Norms, including the Nelson
Mandela Rules mentioned above. The seminar participants first presented the current state ofcorrectional institutions in their own countries and shared the challenges they faced
respectively. The participants learned about measures to tackle overcrowding and achieve a
rehabilitative environment through lectures, and further discussed these issues in group
workshops. Finally, based on the knowledge and in-depth understanding gained through theSeminar as a whole, they delivered Individual Presentations to present possible solutions totackle the challenges in each country.
UNAFEI’s Training Courses and Seminars are designed to build a professional networkthat will enable the sharing of information on each country’s efforts. The seminar participants
stayed at the UNAFEI dormitory for four weeks, nurturing friendship through day-to-day
exchanges and building a network for life-long international cooperation.
3.

Contents of the Seminar(1) Country Reports
All participants delivered presentations on the systems, practices, statistics andchallenges related to correctional institutions in their respective countries. Aftereveryone’s presentations were completed, the Programming Officer summarized thepresentations and held a general discussion. The participants diligently made comments
and asked questions about challenges such as overcrowding and corruption in correctional
institutions, which revealed their strong interest in the main theme of the Seminar.
(2)

Lectures
Lectures were given by UNAFEI faculty members, experts from overseas (Visiting1Experts) and Japanese lecturers as listed below. After each lecture, a Q&A session washeld. A broad range of questions was asked by the seminar participants to each of thelecturers, which provided a lively exchange of opinions.
i) UNAFEI Faculty Members
 Professor MIYAGAWA Tsubura
Lecture Title: Imprisonment around the World
Lecture Title: International Standards and Norms
 Professor AKASHI FumikoLecture Title: United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures(The Tokyo Rules)
 Mr. Thomas L. Schmid, Linguistic Adviser
Lecture Title: Connecting Correctional Theory with Sustainable Development: AnHistorical Perspective on the United Nations Crime Congressii) Visiting Experts
 Mr. Robert Hollander
Prison System Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross
Lecture Title: Improvement of Quality of Life and Protection of Human Rights in
Correctional Institutions
 Mr. Charlie Taylor
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of PrisonsLecture Title: The Importance of Independent Inspection in England and Wales(Online)iii) Japanese Experts
 Mr. SHINIKETANI Ryō, Director of Inspection Office, General Affairs Division,Corrections Bureau of the Ministry of JusticeLecture Title: Complaints and Inspection System in Penal Institutions in Japan Mr. ONO Hiroshi
Manager of General Affairs Section, Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
Lecture Title: Introduction of Training Institute for Correctional Personnel
 Ms. HANDO Mayumi
Research Officer, Centre for Evidence-Based Research
Lecture Title: Introduction of Centre for Evidence-Based Research(3) Panel Discussion
The following three panellists made presentations on three topics, followed by Q&A
and discussion by seminar participants and guests. Active discussions were held on a widerange of topics, including the prison inspection system and the enhancement of staff
awareness of human rights.

2i) Panellists
Mr. Robert Hollander
Mr. Charlie Taylor
Dr. SHINKAI Hiroyuki, Professor, Faculty of Law, Kanagawa Universityii) Discussion Topic- Measures to ensure the effectiveness of International Standards and Norms- Methods for Effective Capacity-Building- Promoting human rights protection and quality of life in correctional institutions(4) Group workshops
Seminar participants were divided into three groups to discuss the issues assigned toeach group. In the discussions, the participants shared the systems and practices of theirrespective countries, identified challenges facing the promotion of legal aid based on theknowledge gained through the country report presentations and lectures, and discussed
specific solutions to resolve those challenges. Each participant was very enthusiastic andengaged in active discussions. Each group made presentations on the results of thediscussion. In response to each presentation, participants in other groups asked insightfulquestions which contributed to lively presentations.
The main topics and contents of the group presentations are as follows.
 Group 1: “Measures to Ensure the Effectiveness of International Standards andNorms”
・ Ensuring accountability and transparency for management of correctional
institutions
・ Establishing an independent oversight body to prevent torture and ill-treatment
・ Implementing institution visits by external agencies
・ Establishing the procedures of filing complaints by inmates・ Establishing appropriate procedures and guidelines Group 2: “Methods for Effective Capacity-Building”
・ Implementing appropriate training and capacity-building programmes for staff
・ Preparation of training curriculum based on International Standards and Norms
・ Collaboration with universities and educational institutions
・ Evaluation of staff who contributed to the introduction of International Standards
and Norms
・ Collaboration with private organizations and volunteers Group 3: Promoting human rights protection and quality of life in correctional
institutions
・ Introduction of alternative punishment and diversion as measures against
overcrowding
・ Building the new correctional institutions and renovating deteriorated institutions
・ Ensuring adequate salaries for correctional staff
・ Prevention of corruption through raising the awareness of correctional staff etc.
・ Visits by judges and prosecutors to correctional institutions(5)

Individual Presentations
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In the final stage of the seminar, each participant delivered an individual presentation
addressing issues in the participant’s own country based on the knowledge and in-depth
understanding gained through the seminar. Some of the presentations introduced efforts incriminal justice in Japan or compared Japan’s system with that of the presenter’s country.
It was clear that the participants were keen to apply what they had learned at the seminarand the knowledge they had gained at the places they had visited to their future practice.
(6) Self-learning Session
In order to efficiently implement the programme, a self-learning session for about one
hour was set up every day. One of the self-learning programmes was e-learning materials
on the Nelson Mandela Rules provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC). All participants successfully passed the final online examination, and they wereissued a certificate. On-demand video materials jointly produced by UNAFEI and the Japan
International Cooperation Agency (JICA) were also provided to the participants to learn
about the criminal justice system in Japan. When all participants finished watching thevideos, UNAFEI Professors conducted a feedback session to deepen their understanding.
4.

Feedback from Participants
Many positive opinions were received from the participants on the well-preparedcurriculum and the comprehensive content. They commented that they learned much fromthe programme. Through lectures and visits, the management of correctional institutions andthe treatment of offenders in Japan attracted the participants’ interest. They were especiallysurprised by the fact that Japan has managed facilities on an appropriate scale after the periodof overcrowding, and that corruption has not spread to correctional officers. Opportunities tointeract with Japanese volunteer probation officers greatly impacted the participants,
acknowledging the significant contribution of Japanese citizens to the treatment of offenders
and prevention of reoffending.
Based on experiences inside and outside the Seminar, including going out to various
places on weekends, many participants mentioned that cities in Japan were safe and clean,
and that they were impressed by the Japanese people’s punctuality and disciplined behaviour.
5.

Comments from the Programming Officer
The principles of the International Standards and Norms concerning the management ofcorrectional institutions and the treatment of offenders are very important and essential.
Nevertheless, in many countries around the world, overcrowding of correctional institutions
is an urgent issue, making it extremely difficult to put these principles into practice. With
regard to those circumstances, the main theme of the seminar was highly challenging.
Despite the difficulties, the participants earnestly engaged in the programme to deepen
their understanding of the significance of the main theme and to learn from lectures andpresentations. They had a high level of insight to objectively analyse the current situation andissues in their own countries. They were also willing to further improve practices inaccordance with the principles of the International Standards and Norms. In order to tackle
various issues related to the management of correctional institutions, cooperation among
relevant organizations with various expertise is indispensable. Therefore, I believe that it ismeaningful that the International Senior Seminars invite high-level policy makers andpractitioners from various fields of critical justice. The participants spent four weeks together,sharing experiences and discussing important issues, which contributed to the formation ofprofessional networks and personal friendships.
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I was impressed by the sincere attitude and enthusiasm of the participants, and learned
much about practices in the participants’ countries. I hope that the knowledge gained fromthe programme will serve as the basis for the development of practice and contribute to themanagement of correctional institutions and the rehabilitation of offenders in each country.

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