The Nelson Mandela Rules

About this course

This course contains seven self-paced modules that will assist the user in understanding and applying the Nelson Mandela Rules as the universally acknowledge minimum standard for the management of prisons and the treatment of prisoners.

It consists of an introduction, five substantive modules as well as a final assessment. Each substantive module consists of a theoretical and a practical part, the latter exposing the user to concrete prison management scenarios. Resource sections throughout the course provide references to more in-depth technical guidance material. The course has been primarily designed as a practical training tool for prison officers and other officials working in prisons. It will be equally relevant for prison monitoring and inspection bodies and other (non-)governmental entities promoting prison reform in the line with international standards and norms.

The UNODC global eLearning platform offers a number of self-paced online modules that are open to the public and free of charge. Anyone can access these modules after self-registering on the eLearning platform. Unless otherwise stated, a certificate will be issued upon the successful completion of a post-test.

Target audience

Member State officials on international security threats such as transnational organized crime, terrorism, illicit drugs, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, wildlife and forest crime, cybercrime as well as provide training on border control, intelligence analysis, gender issues, anti-corruption, HIV/AIDS and human rights.

Learning objectives

On completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Describe the Nelson Mandela Rules and define minimum standard for the management of prisons and treatment of prisoners
• Discuss tools for prison officers and other officials working in prison