Topic: 2025 – Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Natalie Johncock
Committee: Human Rights Council (HRC)
Topic: Treatment of Prisoners
Country: Greece
School: Mattawan High School
The humane treatment of prisoners is a fundamental human rights issue that reflects the values and justice systems of nations worldwide. This topic focuses on prison conditions, access to healthcare, overcrowding, fair trials, and protection from torture or degrading treatment. Around the world, prisons face challenges such as underfunding, violence, inadequate sanitation, lack of medical care, and poor rehabilitation programs. These issues not only affect prisoners but also impact public safety, as humane treatment and effective rehabilitation reduce recidivism and support reintegration. Key standards such as the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) outline expectations for dignity, oversight, and safety, making this issue a top priority for the Human Rights Council.
The United Nations has taken extensive action to set global standards for prisoner treatment. The Mandela Rules, adopted in 2015, define minimum requirements for housing, healthcare, nutrition, discipline, and staff training. The Convention Against Torture (CAT) obligates states to prevent and punish all forms of torture or degrading treatment. The UN has also established the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, which works with countries to monitor detention facilities and support reform. Many HRC resolutions call for reducing overcrowding, preventing discrimination in prisons, and expanding rehabilitation services. However, several proposed reforms have faced difficulty passing due to national security concerns, limited resources, or disagreements over how much oversight the UN should have within domestic justice systems.
Greece has recognized significant challenges within its prison system, including overcrowding, outdated facilities, limited mental-health services, and long periods of pre-trial detention. These issues have drawn attention from international organizations, including the Council of Europe. Greece has responded by increasing the use of alternatives to incarceration, such as community service and electronic monitoring, to reduce overcrowding. The country has also expanded rehabilitation and reintegration programs focused on education, job skills and drug-treatment services. As a signatory to the Convention Against Torture and a participants in European human rights mechanisms, Greece actively works to align national policy with UN standards. Recent reforms have also strengthened monitoring bodies and improved healthcare access for detainees demonstrating Greece’s commitment to long-term progress.
Greece firmly believes that all prisoners must be treated with dignity and that improving prison conditions strengthens human rights and public safety. Greece supports expanding global cooperation on prison management, rehabilitation programs, and independent monitoring. Greece proposed the creation of a UN-supported Prison Reform Support Fund, which would provide financial and technical assistance to countries working to modernize facilities and meet the Mandela Rules. Greece also supports strengthening international training programs for prison staff, especially in mental health care, crisis de-escalation, and human rights practices. Additionally, Greece encourages member states to adopt alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenders, which reduces overcrowding and directs resources toward more serious threats to public safety. These solutions reflect Greece’s belief that fair treatment, transparency, and rehabilitation are essential components of a humane and effective justice system.
