FIRST UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

Geneva, Switzerland

22 August - 3 September 1955

The First Congress adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Over 50 governments and 500 participants took part in the first UN Crime Prevention Congress. The main focus of the event was the treatment of juvenile delinquents and prisoners, the numbers of which had risen dramatically in post-war Europe.

Congress topics

“Open” penal and correctional institutions
The selection and training of prison personnel
The proper use of prison labour
The impact of the mass media on juvenile deviancy

The Congress made recommendations:

For the prevention of juvenile delinquency through the community, the family, schools and social services, as well as the selection and training of prison personnel.

Mr. Edouard de Steiger, delegate of Switzerland and President of the U.N. Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

UN Photo

Delegates at the U.N. Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

The First Congress concluded with the adoption of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which cover the general management of institutions, and are applicable to all categories of prisoners, criminal or civil, in pre-trial detention or following conviction and sentencing, including prisoners subject to "security measures" or corrective measures ordered by a judge.

Since their development and adoption the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners have had immeasurable impact on the treatment of prisoners worldwide. Today they remain the standards against which many concerned human rights, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations determine the treatment of prisoners.

The United Nations in Vienna

FIRST UNITED NATIONS CONGRESS on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders

Geneva, Switzerland

22 August - 3 September 1955

The First Congress adopted the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Congress topics

The Congress made recommendations:

Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners

Statistics:

512

participants

43

NGOs

51

governments