2025 marks the anniversaries of two essential sets of UN standards on offender management: the 10th anniversary of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners – the Nelson Mandela Rules --and the 15th anniversary of the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders – known as the Bangkok Rules.
This double anniversary year offers more than an opportunity for celebration: it gives the global community the opportunity to recommit to penal and prison reform, for the benefit of us all.
The Nelson Mandela Rules are the universally acknowledged blueprint for good prison management in the 21st century. They outline minimum prison conditions, provide guidance, and set clear benchmarks for prison staff on how to uphold safety, security and human dignity. Find out more
The Bangkok Rules give guidance to policy makers, legislators, sentencing authorities and prison staff on reducing the imprisonment of women. Where women must be sent to prison, the rules outline how to meet their specific needs. The rules also state the support that should be given to children living in prison with their mothers, and aim to improve contact between prisoners and their children in the community. Read the rules
In June a high-level debate at the UN General Assembly was convened by the President of the General Assembly, Ambassador Philémon Yang, in collaboration with UNODC. Addressing the General Assembly UNODC Executive Director Ms. Ghada Waly said, “Without urgent and sustained investment, we risk turning prison systems into conveyor belts of injustice, where neglect breeds despair, despair breeds recidivism, and recidivism breeds reincarceration.”
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In May the United Nations Model Strategies on Reducing Reoffending – to be known as the Kyoto Model Strategies – became the latest set of United Nations standards on the treatment of offenders. The resolution, tabled by Japan, was adopted at the 34th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted a new resolution tabled by Thailand, calling for continued action in the field of prison management and the treatment of offenders.
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In May the Group of Friends reached the major milestone of 50 members. This group of Member States and other entities works to promote the practical application of the Nelson Mandela Rules around the world.
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From prisoner art exhibitions to tree plantings to prison staff training, people around the world marked Nelson Mandela Day 2025 in many creative ways – all linked by a shared commitment to the Nelson Mandela Rules. This page offers just a few snapshots of the amazing activities that took place worldwide, spearheaded by UNODC teams, national authorities and civil society organisations.
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On 25 June 2025, UNODC held a special side event in Tokyo, Japan, during the 4th Criminal Justice Forum for Asia and the Pacific (CrimAP) to mark the 10th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules and the 15th anniversary of the Bangkok Rules. The event gathered participants from 12 countries in an event that, beyond commemoration, provided a platform to renew regional commitment in Asia and the Pacific to the future application of these UN standards.
