By Lucinda G9

The MUN Delegates gathered today to argue the question of whether education and rehabilitation programs should be implemented in medium to maximum-security prisons, to give prisoners a second chance. European countries, Russia, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, and France were joined by Canada and the US from North America, Australia, South African and Syria, as well as Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia and India.

Initial Standings

While more than half of the countries involved in this debate were wholeheartedly for the education of prisoners, there were some countries who were torn and others who were completely against it. Afghanistan shared their views on this topic, stating that they would like to implement this however, due to overcrowding and a lack of funds, they would be unable to enact. Similarly, South Africa and India wanted to execute this idea into their own prisons, however, due to their own lack of funds, South Africa and India are rendered impotent. Russia, Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia will not open to this program at any point in the future because of their own countries’ situations. Russia believes that prisoners should be met with serious punishment instead of education and rehabilitation, Iran has constrictions  on their resources and funding, as well as their weariness of security risks which may arise; such as the leniency of people coming and going into prisons. Syria is committed to protecting their prisoners. Nevertheless, they also see the threats which may become a problem if they were to continue forward with the program. Saudi Arabia is adamant about the dangers that prisoners pose, especially in terms of medium and maximum security prisons.

Resolution put forth by the United States

This resolution acknowledges the significant challenges that are faced regarding overcrowding and violence. Hoping that the rates of recidivism*¹ will decrease with this program, prisoners will be educated on the dangers of criminality and will learn how to make a life for themselves once their sentence is completed. Diplomas and degrees are offered with the correct education. Any civilian involved in drug addiction will be treated for a health problem and will be given the appropriate care that is needed. Once leaving the prison, prisoners will be given housing and appropriate jobs to help them return to life in society. Taking note of less developed countries, the resolution puts forth a clause requesting that the UN provides funds to less developed countries; “Takes note of the lack of funds in less developed countries; Requests that the UN provides as much aid and funding needed to countries which do not have such systems;” (Resolution). 

Countries involved

10 countries have co-submitted this resolution agreeing to the clauses and costs that come with it:. From Europe, France, Spain, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom. Australia and Canada have also made the decision to stand with this resolution. Countries who have co-submitted and will be requiring funding and aid from other countries include, India, South Africa and Afghanistan. Knowing that funds from other countries can increase the likelihood of conflict if the money is not spent ethically, these countries have stated that they will use this money for only the agreed upon programs. 

Global Impact 

The hope of this resolution is to lower the world wide crime rates and increase the number of educated citizens. Having prisoners who are being educated, will result in these skills being used in the real world to benefit the person. Without prisoners having to rely on crimes as their only means of money once finishing their sentences, global crime rates will significantly decrease. As of now the recidivation rates show that “released prisoners had 2-year re-conviction rates between 18% and 55%, while individuals given community sentences had rates between 10% and 47%” (Farouki et al.).

Conclusion

Because of the detail and time that was put into this resolution, each clause has been thought through by each delegate and different perspectives were discussed. Overcrowding in South African and Afghan prisoners will decrease with new funds coming in. Crime rates in Europe will decrease which will increase tourist rates in popular places. With this resolution in place many aspects of the world will change, because of these reasons there are high hopes that this resolution will be the resolution to pass and change the global prison system.

*¹ Recidivism – the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend (Dictionary).

Works Cited

Dictionary. http://www.google.com/search?q=recidivism+definition&oq=recidivism+d&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIHCAMQABiABDIHCAQQABiABDIGCAUQRRg8MgYIBhBFGDwyBggHEEUYPNIBCDU0OTFqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&safe=active&ssui=on. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.

Farouki, Leen, et al. “Criminal recidivism rates globally: A 6-year systematic review update.” Research Gate, Sept. 2023, http://www.researchgate.net/publication/374735522_Criminal_recidivism_rates_globally_A_6-year_systematic_review_update#:~:text=Results%20Recidivism%20data%20were%20found,on%20proportions%20of%20index%20offences. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.JL2977. Education and Life After Prison. The Yale Tribune, 7 Dec. 2017, campuspress-test.yale.edu/tribune/education-and-life-after-prison/. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.