Prisons & incarceration

Publications26 September 2023

Abolition and harm reduction in the struggle for “Care, Not Cages”

Levenson et al. note how the overdose crisis in the United States is inextricably linked to wider systems of criminalisation and incarceration, calling for the abolition of policing and prisons in order to uproot structural causes of harm.

News19 September 2023

Malaysia: Government to review criminal penalties relating to drug use

The Malaysian government's review of criminal penalties for drug-related offences signals a progressive step towards a more compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug use in the region.

Publications12 September 2023

Human rights challenges in addressing and countering all aspects of the world drug problem - Report of the OHCHR

OHCHR present their report to the Human Rights Council on the impact of the world drug problem on human rights, urging policymakers to shift towards a health and human-rights centred approach to drug policy.

News16 August 2023

Three ways to reduce the number of women in prison in the Americas

Drug policy reform, non-custodial measures and tackling the root causes of involvement in criminalised activities are among the many ways states can curb skyrocketing women incarceration rates.

News15 August 2023

We know what happens when we prosecute drug dealers as murderers

Instead of doubling down on counterproductive prohibitionist policies, governments should invest in evidence-based health alternatives, supportive services, and better approaches to regulation such as safer supply.

News17 July 2023

An open letter to the organisers of Women Deliver and the Generation Equality Forum: High-level forums on women’s rights must not ignore the rights of criminalised, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women

IDPC joins 200+ organisations in signing an open letter calling on high-level forums on womens rights to be inclusive of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women, who are often criminalised for drug-related offences.

News3 July 2023

Prisons turned into killing fields in Iran as drug-related executions almost triple this year

The cruel and alarming surge in drug-related executions in Iran serves as a stark reminder that the death penalty violates the right to life and should be opposed in all cases without exception.

Publications3 July 2023

Global Prison Trends 2023

PRI and TIJ provide an overview and highlight how the criminalisation of drugs remains a key contributing factor to the rising global prison population and prison overcrowding.

Publications9 June 2023

Resistance and alternatives to the ‘wars’ on civic space in the Philippines

The Civic Futures Initiative explore (among other 'wars') the impact that Duterte’s oppressive and securitised 'war on drugs' in the Philippines had on the civic space of those who advocate against the drug policy and document abuses under it.

News8 June 2023

UN eyes more public health approach to drug use in Philippines

The Antipolo Declaration, under the aegis of the government and the UN, commits to align drug control and drug treatment strategies with international norms, in collaboration with civil society.

Blog5 June 2023

Revisiting Indonesia’s new Criminal Code: A missed opportunity to end legal uncertainty in drug policy

The new Indonesian Criminal Code fails to address the legal ambiguities in the country's criminalisation of drug use, possession and supply offences.

Events

32nd session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ)

Vienna, Austria

22 May 2023 - 26 May 2023

The 32nd session of the CCPCJ will take place in Vienna from 22-26 May 2023; IDPC will co-sponsor a side event on gender and imprisonment.

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