Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Thailand
Delegate Name: Charlotte Trost
Human Rights Council (HRC)
Treatment of Prisoners
Thailand
Charlotte Trost
Another important topic that is being focused on is the treatment of prisoners. This has been a concern for quite some time, as prisons and, therefore, prisoners face overcrowding, overincarceration, neglect, and deplorable conditions. Due to this, the United Nations has tried and is continuing to try to find a solution to this problem. In 1955, the UN adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. These were basic rules and regulations on how prisoners should be treated. There have been multiple revisions and other standards added throughout the decades.
Conditions and authority over Thai prisons and therefore prisoners are under the Department of Corrections. In 1932, the Penitentiary Act was passed, outlining the rules and recommendations for prison supervision. However, the vast size of the prison system affects how thoroughly the government can help with other overall conditions of prisons, since as of January of this year, an estimated 325,298 people are incarcerated in Thailand
The United Nations has made numerous proposals for new standards and rules on how to treat prisoners. In 1990, a new proposal was made to promote non-discrimination and more standardized basic rights of prisoners. In all of these proposals, different ways to eliminate overcrowding and overincarceration were discussed, as most prisons face these problems.
Thailand aims to improve the treatment of prisoners by continuing what they’re already doing: building more prisons, adding dormitories, transferring prisoners to more temporary facilities, and allowing for the early release of an inmate if certain activities are performed.
“1 United Nations System Common Position on Incarceration April 2021.” United Nations System Common Position on Incarceration, www.unodc.org/res/justice-and-prison-reform/nelsonmandelarules-GoF/UN_System_Common_Position_on_Incarceration.pdf. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
Albuquerque, Raquel. “Managing Overcrowding and Creating Opportunities: Practical Reforms in Thai Prisons – Justice Trends Magazine.” JUSTICE TRENDS Magazine – Exclusive Criminal Justice and Correctional Topics Worldwide, 8 Aug. 2025, justice-trends.press/managing-overcrowding-and-creating-opportunities-practical-reforms-in-thai-prisons.
“Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners – United Nations and the Rule of Law.” United Nations, United Nations, www.un.org/ruleoflaw/blog/document/basic-principles-for-the-treatment-of-prisoners/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
“Nelson Mandela Rules History.” United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime, www.unodc.org/unodc/en/justice-and-prison-reform/nelsonmandelaruleshistory.html. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
