Are prisons part of the problem or part of the solution?

Incarceration Nations Network global representatives at the INN launch at the Nelson Mandela Foundation

Global network Incarceration Nations Network in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation hosted an interactive panel discussion unpacking to various stakeholders the problems associated with the current correctional services system.

This discussion was a prelude to the 2020 commemoration of the 30-year anniversary since the release of Nelson Mandela from prison. The occasion provided conversation and solutions that highlight not only the country’s unique history of incarceration and revolution, but also its justice-driven approach to overcoming the legacies of that history.

Sello Hatang, CEO at Nelson Mandela Foundation, with guests at the NMF archives centre

Speakers from organisations such as Hlumelisa (South Africa), The Fair Justice Initiative (Ghana), RubiKon centre (Czech Republic) The POS foundation (Ghana) , Just Detention (South Africa)and Humunitas360 (Brazil) tackled topics ranging from pre-trial detention and legal assistance for the poor to problems and solutions related to rehabilitation behind bars, reintegration, juvenile justice and restorative justice.

INN founder and Executive Director Dr Baz Dreisinger said, “INN looks to reduce prison populations globally while building safer communities, by showcasing innovative work happening all around the world. The hope is that countries will learn from each other and build coalition in order to innovate around justice. This advances peace and generates a justice system that actually serves people it claims to serve: those who have been harmed.”

Dr Baz Dreisinger founder and Executive Director of INN with Solomon Akumun of the POS Foundation in Ghana

Hosted and officiated by Sello Hatang, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, the event was the first time global justice workers convened to explore how to create safer communities by reforming prison systems and building alternatives to them, featuring a multimedia presentation entitled Showcasing Global Visions of Justice: Past, Present and Future.

Hatang told guests, “The Foundation’s interest in incarceration systems and prison reform is obvious, given who our Founder is. For years now we have been disturbed at the role the incarceration system plays in the normalisation of the deep-rooted structural violence in society. This gives us enormous common ground with the Incarceration Nations Network. We are both committed to building safer, more robust and cohesive communities.”

For more information visit www.incarcerationnationsnetwork.com and follow Instagram.