UN Resident Coordinator Remarks: United Nations System Common Position on Incarceration: reducing overincarceration and overcrowding in detention and prison facilities.

It is an honor to address you at the closing of this roundtable discussion on the United Nations Common Position on Incarceration. 

I thank the Public Security Department of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for hosting this event, and Penal Reform International and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights in co-organizing this event.

At this gathering, we stand together as a diverse and dedicated group of professionals, each bringing unique experiences and perspectives from across the region. 

We live in a region where prisons’ occupancy levels show worrying figures. The data indicates that prisons are overcrowded across the region, with levels ranging from 110% to 178%; with varying percentage of pre-trial detainees reaching 87% in some countries. 

During the last two days, you have shared experiences and good practices to reduce the prison overcrowding. These include alternatives to detention and imprisonment, amnesties, acceleration of pre-trial proceedings, providing legal aid, and establishing programmes for rehabilitation and social reintegration. 

During the discussion, the issue of the global drug problem was also raised, with many highlighting the contribution of drug related crimes to the increasing prison population.  As you may know the United Nations also has a Common Position on drug related matters. In that, the offices, agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations have committed to support States in adopting alternatives to conviction and punishment in appropriate cases related to drugs and to promote the principle of proportionality.

I hope that both Common Position- the one on incarceration and the other on drugs - will continue to provide guidance to State, civil society and all other stakeholders in their efforts to advance reform of prisons and other institutions and policies. 

Success in this endeavour, however, is not something any of us can achieve alone. 

It requires a united front of collaboration that spans government actors, UN entities, national human rights institutions, civil society, and community leaders. 

This involves the strong leadership of national governments that should, where possible, lead discussions on policy, strategy, joint interventions, and programme design to continue the so much needed reforms. 

The various entities of the United Nations stand ready to support national authorities, including judiciary, civil society and other stakeholders tostakeholders in this endeavour, as we pursue justice, rights and dignity for all. 

Thank you.