Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Poland
Delegate Name: Bela Haight
Human Rights Council
Treatment of Prisoners
Poland
Bela Haight
City High School
Around the world, prisoners continue to face violations of basic protections, including the right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 5, UDHR), the right to adequate healthcare (Article 25), the right to dignity, and the right to fair and timely judicial processes (Article 10). Although the causes of poor prison conditions vary based on where they are in the world, there are consistent violations manifested as physical abuse, denial of medical care, extreme isolation, unsanitary living conditions, and overcrowding. These issues continuously place prisoners at risk, and stunt any growth towards reform that could be made. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), over 60% of countries struggle with overcrowded prisons, which has only contributed to a global crisis of violence, mental health, and lack of rehabilitation. The Republic of Poland acknowledges that even individuals deprived of liberty retain their fundamental human rights, and that states have a responsibility to uphold said rights, regardless of the offense committed.
Poland recognizes that, unfortunately, despite making progress in aligning its correctional system with EU standards, many challenges in its prisons remain. The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) have made many reports about areas in which Poland can improve the treatment of its prisoners, mostly referring to problems such as overcrowding, insufficient access to mental-health services, and cases of excessive use of force by prison staff. In recent years, Poland’s prisons have experienced overcrowding well over the recommended norm in Europe, often with less than 4 square meters of space per prisoner. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the treatment of foreign detainees and the long duration of pre-trial detention, both of which strain resources and can heighten human rights risks. Poland has made reforms such as increasing the training of staff, improving healthcare access, and expanding non-custodial sentencing options and has plans to continue doing so to reduce pressure on facilities.
Looking forward, Poland believes that the international community must strengthen its collective response to poor prison conditions while recognizing that different regions face different constraints. Poland supports increasing UNODC assistance for countries with fewer resources, as lack of reform is often due to lack of resources and motivation to do so. This assistance would include training correctional officers, improving data collection, and sharing best practices for rehabilitation. Poland also encourages the development of clear, UN-backed guidelines for minimum standards in healthcare, mental-health support, and sanitation within detention centers. Addressing the issue of overcrowding requires a balance of expanding alternatives to imprisonment for non-violent offenders while ensuring that facilities are adequately resourced for those who must be detained.
The Republic of Poland affirms that the humane treatment of prisoners is inseparable from justice, security, and the dignity of all people. The mistreatment of incarcerated individuals is to the detriment of all people overall, and only puts reform further back in the long run, leading to a vicious cycle of inhumanity. Poland stands ready to work with member states, NGOs, and the United Nations to promote humane, safe, and effective correctional systems worldwide.
Bibliography:
Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. (n.d.). United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/justice-and-prison-reform/crime-prevention-and-criminal-justice.html
Poland: prisons in 2025. (n.d.). Prison Insider. https://www.prison-insider.com/en/countryprofile/pologne-2025?s=vue-d-ensemble
https://www.coe.int/en/web/prison/-/increasing-overcrowding-in-european-prisons
