Vicki Prais

Guidance document on the European Prison Rules - Penal Reform International (Contributor)

This guidance document can be used as a reference document and as a resource for reviewing legislation, developing policies and in training criminal justice actors and other relevant stakeholders in Europe. It brings together the most recent knowledge and international experience to guide legislators, policymakers, prison authorities, monitoring bodies, probation services, social welfare and healthcare services, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders. Examples of promising practices from...

Maternal Imprisonment In Ireland: A Scoping Study (co author)

2nd March 2023 The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) launched a new scoping study on maternal imprisonment in Ireland on Thursday 2 March 2023. Maternal Imprisonment in Ireland: A Scoping Study was supported by Katherine Howard Foundation and St. Stephen's Green Trust. The report examines the numbers and experiences of mothers imprisoned in Ireland, and of their children.

Launch of Scoping study on maternal imprisonment in Ireland (Presentation)

On Thursday 2 March 2023, the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) launched their project on children and families of people in prison and our new study on maternal imprisonment in Ireland. I gave a presentation of key findings from the scoping study.

The COVID-19 Pandemic in prisons and its impact on Prison reform priorities (Contributor)

As co-author of this study, I conducted research and market analysis on the COVID-19 response in prisons in the Council of Europe region and associated human rights concerns. I undertook in-depth analysis of information and data in Armenia and Portugal based on desk research, information provided by authorities and stakeholder interviews. I co-authored the study on the impact of COVID-19 on prison reform priorities, awareness raising materials and detailed recommendations on a human rights...

Older Persons in Detention in England and Wales (UN Submission)

As co-author, I contributed to a submission to the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons. This submission was included in a report to the UN Human Rights Council which examined the situation of older persons deprived of liberty.

Contemporary Criminal Justice Challenges & Prison Reform (Guest Lecture)

As a guest lecturer, I gave a talk to Human Rights masters students on contemporary criminal justice challenges and prison reform in a global society.

Deaths in prison: Examining causes, responses, and prevention (Contributor)

This briefing is a call to action for the international community and national actors to strengthen their approach to deaths in prisons, to take pro-active measures to prevent loss of life and, when deaths do occur, to respond appropriately and conduct robust investigations in line with international human rights standards to identify any systemic concerns and prevent future harm.

Dignity Behind Bars: The Impact of Prisons on Mental Health - Panellist

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm EDT Please join Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR) and the Law Union of Ontario (LUO) for a panel on the mental health impacts of prison and particularly solitary confinement.

Contemporary Criminal Justice Challenges & Prison Reform (Guest Lecture)

As a guest lecturer, I gave a presentation addressing contemporary criminal justice challenges and prison reform in a global society.

Health, Detention and International human rights standards (Keynote Speaker)

As a keynote speaker, I gave a presentation on the intersection between health, detention and international human rights standards. The RCGP secure environments group is committed to the delivery of health care in the health and justice system to prisoners and detainees which is of the highest possible standards.

International Law and the Treatment of Prisoners in Canada: A Practitioner's Perspective (Keynote...

As keynote speaker, I presented the findings of an empirical study examining the implementation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners in Canada.

Global Prison Trends Report 2019

The Global Prison Trends Report is the flagship report of Penal Reform International and identifies topical developments and challenges in criminal justice, and prison policy and practice. Co-author.

PIL Discussion Group

'Protecting the human rights of British nationals in detention around the world: A view from the coalface' Public International Law Discussion Group, Oxford University The PIL Discussion Group at the University of Oxford is a key focal point for PIL@Oxford and hosts regular speaker events. Topics involve contemporary and challenging issues in international law. Speakers include distinguished international law practitioners, academics, and legal advisers from around the world. The...

Canadian Council on International Law Annual Conference

2019 CCIL Annual Conference - October 24-25, 2019 in Ottawa - Invited panellist, 'Distinctions that made a difference: current issues in Canadian Reception Law'

Shining a light in dark places : the plight of people in prison

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic exposed the globally broken criminal justice system. The removal of an individual's liberties is not synonymous with their human rights. Change is needed, argues Vicki Prais.

Women in Prison : mental health and wellbeing - A guide for prison staff

This guide is written to help understand how life in prison can affect a person’s mental health, with a focus on women. It describes how to recognise the signs of poor mental health and how best to respond. The guide aims to break down the stigma and discrimination attached to poor mental health, especially for women in prison. This guide has been written primarily for prison staff and others who work with women in prison or may be making decisions that affect them. Co-author.

Proving who I am: the plight of people in detention without proof of legal identity - Penal...

This external expert blog shines a light on the examines the issues faced by people in prison without proof of legal identity. It explains how the absence of ID can in itself lead to detention for some people, and also causes a range of problems for those detained or leaving prison impacting on their ability to rebuild their lives.

The Implementation of the UN Mandela Rules in Canada: A practitioner's perspective

I delivered a talk in French on the findings of an empirical study on the implementation of the UN Standard Mininum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Remembering Nelson Mandela - Prisoners' Rights in Canada

The year 2018 marks an auspicious time for human rights. The 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights falls in the same year as we commemorate the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest voices of human rights in recent times.

Elderly life-sentenced prisoners: a forgotten and 'invisible' group - Penal Reform International

In this blog, PRI's Vicki Prais, looks at the challenges faced by elderly people in prison, sentenced to life imprisonment. Vicki notes that the 'greying' of the prison population has seen an upward trend and warrants attention as it is a group that will certainly grow given the rise in life sentences handed down globally.

Protecting the human rights of British nationals in detention around the world: A view from the...

Older Persons in Detention: A Framework for Preventive Monitoring

This guide aims to support detention monitors in assessing conditions for older persons in prison in line with international human rights standards to ensure that the rights of older persons in detention are protected. Co-author.

The implementation of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners in Canada: A...

This article provides a practitioner’s view of the extent to which the 1955 UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (SMRs) have been utilized in Canada. In the article, I review how the SMRs are being used by national authorities, civil society organizations and criminal law practitioners in Canada and presents reflections as to how the SMRs could be better utilized to ensure that prisoners’ rights are protected in Canada.

The Human Rights Factor

In this podcast, I discuss my human rights career including the highs and lows with the host, Lauren Kay.

Vicki Prais - on international human rights and a lifetime of advocating for others

In this podcast. I share the ups and downs of life as a human rights lawyer!

Human rights consulting with Vicki Prais

In this podcast, I chat about my human rights career journey, networking and my path to independent consultancy.

The human rights dimensions of COVID-19

This podcast explores the human rights dimensions of COVID-19 including the grounds upon which Governments can lawfully derogate from human rights obligations. We also discuss the impact of COVID-19 measures on groups in situations of vulnerability including people in prison, women, children and older people. The podcast also explores the impact of COVID-19 on fundamental freedoms and access to justice.

The UK prison system : An objective review

Training Armenian Judges : Criminal Procedure under the European Convention on Human Rights

Human Rights lawyers are coming under fire

Brexit exposed uncertainty over the UK's human rights commitments post-Brexit. With Human Rights lawyers becoming increasingly politicised by the likes of Priti Patel and Boris Johnson, the effectiveness of their jobs is being devalued, argues Vicki Prais

Biden : Time to execute change

President Biden is leading a country in which support for the polarising death penalty is waning. The US has a problem with who it executes and how, and Biden's plans for reform are highly anticipated. Vicki Prais explores the death penalty and its future.

The role of civil society in the execution of Judgments of the European Court of Human Rights

This article examines the question of civil society participation in the process of the execution of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights. (Co author: Lucja Miara)

The Role of Civil Society in the Execution of ECtHR Judgments

European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgments can have a huge impact in Member States by highlighting systemic and serious problems in human rights protection. But what happens once the initial furore over an ECtHR judgment dies down? The implementation process is critical to the success of the ECtHR system.

Mooting comes to Strasbourg

The Rights Stuff

In this article, Vicki Prais shares her experience of training the judiciary in Armenia on European Human Rights Law.

Human Rights Help in Armenia

Judge for Yourself

Journalism 2020: Telling the story in "safe spaces"

The lives of journalists are becoming increasingly risked. Though there has been sufficient responses from the global community, it is still not enough, and crimes against journalists continues to go unpunished, writes Vicki Prais. The Trump Administration has almost left the building.

Belarus on Hold:Crackdown on Post-Election Protests

This report summarises the findings of a monitoring mission to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, organised by Truth Hounds and International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) within the framework of the Civic Solidarity Platform (CSP) on 10-18 August 2020. It documents and investigates allegations of human rights violations perpetrated by Belarusian authorities in connection with the peaceful mass protests that followed the highly contested and charged presidential election that took place on...

The impact of COVID-19 on women in prison

THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WOMEN PRISONERS

Nelson Mandela famously said that, "No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should be judged not by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones." The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic poses many human rights challenges but none more so than for those in prisons, deprived of their liberty.

The COVID-19 Response in Russia through a human rights lens

In this podcast, we discuss the impact on human rights of the restrictive measures imposed by the government of Russia in response to COVID-19. The study examines these measures through a human rights lens of internatonal, regional human rights treaties of core and soft law (non-binding) standards.

Human Rights Impact Assessment of the COVID-19 Response in Russia

What are the impacts on human rights of the restrictive measures imposed by the Government of Russia in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? How have the Russian authorities complied with international human rights standards while implementing measures to combat the spread of Covid-19? These questions lie at the heart of the new report by International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and Public Verdict Foundation. This study examines these measures through a human rights lens of...

"Why Selfishness is at the heart of great activism"

This talk introduces how the fascinating concept of adopting our own version of ‘proper selfishness’ can help not only human rights professionals, but also the population at large, in dealing with our own challenges.

Some factual aspects of the position of persecuted groups in Iran

This article consider the position of those persecuted groups from Iran who find themselves in the UK, with special reference to the position of women and kurds in Iran [co author: Paul Warburton]

Iran in Focus

In this article, Paul Warburton and Vicki Prais look at Iran's political landscape and how minority groups have been affected

Crunch time in Kosovo

Current Judicial Approach to MDC Zimbabwe cases

This article considers the current judicial approach to asylum cases from Zimbabwe

Souls under the Sea and unsung heroes

This article discusses the work of humanitarian rescue boats and why the EU must adopt better policies that protect every single life. Author

Life as an Immigration Practitioner

"The Passion Factor: Pursuing a Career in Human Rights"

In this podcast series, I interview mid career and senior human rights professionals about their own career journey into human rights. I have interviewed human rights professionals in the UN, the non-governmental sector, the Bar (England and Wales) and International Organisations.

The journey of a human rights lawyer

A Journey to Human Rights with Vicki Prais

In this podcast, I talk about my journey into law, my work as a human rights lawyer and offer advice to aspiring human rights professionals looking to start their career in the human rights sector.

How do I start a career in human rights and advocacy (Panellist)

Pursuing a Career in Human Rights (Keynote speaker)

Pursuing a Career in Human Rights (Keynote speaker)

Starting a career in Human Rights: Interview with Vicki Prais

In this interview, Vicki gave invaluable advice on dealing with setbacks, making your CV stand out, the importance of networking, the inter-disciplinary nature of the human rights sector, and more!

Alternative Careers in Human Rights (Panellist)

Pursuing a Career in Human Rights (Panellist)

The Passion Factor : Pursuing a career in human rights (Keynote speaker)

Human Rights Career Talk (Panellist)

Official Sheffield Hallam University site with information about the undergraduate, part-time, postgraduate and distance learning courses available.

Pursuing a Career in Human Rights (Panellist)

Pursuing a Career in Human Rights (Keynote speaker)

In this talk I offer advice, guidance and industry insights to aspiring human rights professionals looking to pursue a career in the human rights sector.

Women's Perspectives on a Career in International Law (Panellist)

This online event, co-organized with the ATLAS Network features prominent women in international law. Coming from different professional backgrounds, we candidly share our experience and advice with the audience through an interactive discussion.

International Careers Panel : Women in International Law (Panellist)

Panel discussion with women working in International Law hosted by the Tennessee World Affairs Council.

Pursuing a career in human rights (Keynote speaker)

'From the field: Building a career in Human Rights with Vicki Prais' (Keynote speaker)

"Making Change: The role of Politicians, Civil Servants and Activists" (Panellist)

This festival was organised by the Young Europeans Network. I was an invited panelist as part of the discussion on careers in politics and public service.

Pursuing a career in human rights (Keynote speaker)

In this talk to aspiring human rights professionals, I offer candid, personal and practical advice about pursuing a career in human rights.

Journalism 2020:Telling the story in 'safe spaces'

The lives of journalists are becoming increasingly risked. Though there has been sufficient responses from the global community, it is still not enough, and crimes against journalists continues to go unpunished, writes Vicki Prais.

Media Freedom in Crimea

This report presents evidence of violations of fundamental human rights in relation to individual journalists, media organisations, civil society organisations and the legal community in Crimea. Co-author.

Welcome to Minsk

This joint report by Belarusian PEN Centre, Civic Solidarity Platform (CSP), International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) and Truth Hounds, presents information obtained from monitoring by Belarusian PEN Centre as well as other local and international human rights defender organisations and provides an assessment of the human rights violations against creative professionals, activists and artists by the Belarusian authorities in response to the post-election protests in Belarus. Co-author