Africa Criminal Justice Reform (ACJR)

Latest News

The Final Cape Declaration Adopted by Consensus - Decriminalising Poverty and Status [27 and 29 September 2022]

Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by ... Cape Declaration on Decriminalising Poverty and Status, adopted by consensus by the participants of the convening of the Campaign to Decriminalise Poverty and Status held in Stellenbosch, South Africa between 27 and 29 September 2022.

Feb 09, 2023

Newspaper Article: ‘Leap’ patrols appear to make a difference | By Jean Redpath

Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and th ... Officers of Western Cape’s anticrime programme work closely with police and they often have joint operations

Sep 19, 2022

New Report: Overview and key findings COVID-19 restrictions and the impact on criminal justice and human rights (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa & Zambia)

By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic ... By L Muntingh, J Mangwanda, K Petersen, T Lorizzo and V Petrovic

Jul 28, 2022

ISSUE PAPERS: Key issues in the NPA - Are we understanding the problem correctly?

In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few ste ... In a series of five Issue Papers, Lukas Muntingh and Jean Redpath take a few steps back and ask whether we are indeed problematising the correct issues and, if so, are we problematising the issue in a manner that will restore trust and thus legitimacy in the NPA. From this position we can also examine our current and future expectations of the NPA.

Mar 18, 2022

The Detention Justice Forum responds to findings of solitary confinement in SA prisons

The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findin ... The Detention Justice Forum (DJF) released a statement in response to the findings of the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Service on solitary confinement in South African prisons.

Jan 19, 2022

ACJR Publications

[Report] An assessment of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) in South Africa

After signing the Optional Protocol to UNCAT (OPCAT) in 2006 and ratifying it in ... After signing the Optional Protocol to UNCAT (OPCAT) in 2006 and ratifying it in March 2019, South Africa designated a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), with the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) being the coordinating structure. Since ratification in March 2019, it appears that to date, the NPM has not been fully functional and institutional arrangements for visiting places of detention under the banner of the NPM remain unclear. There is also uncertainty as to how the constituent parts of the NPM will fulfil the responsibilities under OPCAT. In view of the above, the members of the Detention Justice Forum (DJF) agreed to assess the operational functionality of the NPM in the respective sectors of the DJF member organisations. This also provided an opportunity to identify issues for clarification on the NPM’s mandate and its relations with other components as well as government departments responsible for places where people are or may be deprived of their liberty. This report provides the findings of the assessment performed amongst members of the Detention Justice Forum (DJF) based off a questionnaire that was developed. This report was prepared by K Petersen & J Mangwanda, December 2022

Apr 11, 2023

Presentation: Decriminalization of Petty Offences - Kenya: Julie Wayua Matheka- Nyaga (ICJ-Kenya)

This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Crimi ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023

Apr 04, 2023

Presentation: Criminalisation of Poverty and Status – Malawi: Ruth Kaima (CHREAA)

Apr 04, 2023

Presentation: Sub-National Governance and Criminalisation of Poverty – Nigeria: Rommy Mom (Lawyers Alert)

Apr 04, 2023

Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors | Survey Analysis

This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of pros ... This report provides an analysis of a survey of Magistrates' perceptions of prosecutors conducted in 2022. Prepared by Michael O’Donovan with Jean Redpath

Feb 22, 2023

Presentation: Prosecutors Matter - Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors

This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecu ... This presentation was made at a webinar on Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023

Feb 22, 2023

Events

[RESCHEDULED] Webinar on The Numbers Gang in South African Correctional Facilities: Reflections on Structures, Functions and Culture, 25 April 2023

Please note that this webinar has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances ... Please note that this webinar has been postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be communicated in due course.

Apr 11, 2023

Webinar: Sub-national Government and the Criminalisation of Poverty & Status: Defining the problem, 4 April 2023

ACJR hereby cordially invites you to the first of a series of webinars on sub-na ... ACJR hereby cordially invites you to the first of a series of webinars on sub-national governance and the criminalisation of poverty and status.

Mar 27, 2023

Webinar: Magistrates’ Perceptions of Prosecutors: Survey Analysis, 22 February 2023

What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Pros ... What do magistrates think about prosecutors? ACJR’s work on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has included attempts at measuring perceptions of stakeholders, particularly those with direct experience of the prosecution.

Feb 16, 2023

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