Natural hazards and prisons: Protecting human rights in disaster prevention, response and recovery

“People in prison are among the most vulnerable to suffering from the negative effects of natural hazards. Despite international and national momentum to enhance disaster risk reduction (DRR), its application in prison systems is often not a primary concern. In recent years, people detained and working in prisons have been injured – sometimes fatally – due to damage and destruction caused by natural hazards, exacerbated by inadequate preparations by prison authorities to ensure their safety.

In response, PRI has developed a new guide, Natural Hazards and Prisons: Protecting human rights of people in prison in disaster prevention, response and recovery. Based on primary research, this guide – the first of its kind – presents practical measures with a human rights-based approach for practitioners and frontline staff working in prison systems.

This online launch event will provide a space to discuss the key messages and recommendations of the guide, and hear from those with national and international expertise in the field of disaster risk reduction and prison management.