Justice Ministry Champions Human Rights with Site Visits and Training for Prison Officers

Basseterre, St. Kitts

The Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Justice & Legal Affairs, in collaboration with the CARICOM Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), hosted a pivotal two-day training workshop titled “International Standards and Best Practices on Human Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty”, from July 22–23, 2025.

Prison officers from across St. Kitts and Nevis gathered to enhance their understanding and implementation of international human rights standards, specifically the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules).

Key training areas included:

• Ensuring humane detention conditions such as healthcare, sanitation, and
  adequate accommodation.
• Preventing torture, ill-treatment, and promoting the humane treatment of
  detainees.
• Addressing the specific needs of vulnerable detainee groups, including youth,
  elderly persons, women, and individuals with disabilities.
• Strengthening rehabilitation and integration frameworks for detainees.

The event featured dynamic discussions aimed at deepening collaboration between national authorities and the OHCHR CARICOM Regional Office to foster human rights centered practices in detention settings.

On July 21, 2025, the Ministry and OHCHR conducted insightful site visits to Her Majesty’s Prison in St. Kitts and the Prison Farm in Nevis, gaining first-hand knowledge of existing conditions, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in the facilities.

This initiative underscores the Attorney General’s Office and Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs’ unwavering commitment to justice reform, the rule of law, and ensuring the humane treatment and dignity of all individuals deprived of their liberty.