Prison data collection in Commonwealth countries: a guidance note

Allen, R. and Fair, Helen (2024) Prison data collection in Commonwealth countries: a guidance note. Project Report. ICPR, London, UK.

Abstract

ICPR’s latest publication Prison data collection in Commonwealth countries: A Guidance Note makes the case for the systematic collection and regular publication of the most important facts and figures about prison populations. It recommends the routine and regular publication of Core Data on: • the number and categories of people imprisoned on any one day – for example female prisoners, juveniles and those held in pre-trial/remand detention • the numbers received into and released from prison over particular periods of time • the maximum capacity of the prison system and how this is measured to enable the calculation of occupancy levels and address the risk of overcrowding. Our Guidance Note also proposes that Additional Data should be made available where possible so as to ensure the greatest possible transparency. This includes more detailed information about the status and characteristics of prisoners, their treatment and conditions of detention, and about numbers of prison staff. The process for getting access to this data should be clear to all interested stakeholders, and straightforward to implement. Collecting and publishing statistics about the use and practice of imprisonment is a crucial tool for governments to assess the effectiveness of criminal justice policies. Accurate and updated statistics also help to ensure there is sufficient capacity in the prison estate; and enable civil society to monitor overcrowding and associated human rights violations and public health risks in prisons and to generate evidenced proposals for reform.

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