Penology in East Timor
Penology in Timor-Leste is characterized by ongoing efforts to align its correctional system with international human rights standards, despite challenges such as overcrowding, limited resources, and the absence of a fully developed juvenile justice framework.
Prison Conditions and Overcrowding
Timor-Leste's largest prison, Becora in Dili, has faced significant overcrowding. Originally designed to accommodate 290 inmates, it has held up to 455 individuals, including both convicts and pretrial detainees. Similarly, Gleno Prison has experienced seasonal water shortages and has been overcrowded, with 110 inmates in a facility designed for 80 to 90. These conditions often lead to inadequate sanitation and healthcare, including the sharing of cells between individuals with and without tuberculosis .(ecoi.net, ecoi.net)
Human Rights and Gender-Sensitive Reforms
In 2023, a new women's cell block was inaugurated at Gleno Prison under the "HOPE for GE" project, a collaboration between the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The renovation aimed to address issues such as limited access to sanitary facilities, overcrowding, and the needs of female inmates with children. Improvements included functional sanitary and washing facilities, increased cell space, better ventilation, and enhanced lighting. The project also provided vocational training, legal assistance, and human rights education to both inmates and correctional officers .(UNDP, TATOLI Agência Noticiosa de Timor-Leste)
Torture Prevention and Staff Training
In 2022, the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), in partnership with the Provedor for Human Rights and Justice (PDHJ) and the Ministry of Justice, launched torture prevention training modules for prison guards. These modules were developed over two years and focus on implementing laws and regulations that prohibit torture and ill-treatment, building safe and responsive prisons, and protecting vulnerable prisoners. The training aims to enhance the skills and capacity of prison staff to prevent torture and ill-treatment in detention facilities .(APT)
Juvenile Justice and Legal Framework
Timor-Leste's Penal Code follows the Portuguese legal tradition and does not include the death penalty or life sentences, with the maximum penalty being 30 years in prison. While juveniles under 16 years of age are immune from criminal responsibility, those aged 16 to 21 are theoretically subject to the juvenile justice system, which has not yet been fully established. In practice, however, many juveniles are processed through the adult criminal justice system, and the passage of a draft juvenile justice law remains stalled .(GlobaLex, GlobaLex)
International Support and Capacity Building
Timor-Leste has received technical assistance from international organizations to improve its prison system. The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has provided training programs for officials from the National Directorate of Prison Services and Social Reintegration (DNSPRS). These programs aim to achieve proper prison management and rehabilitation through the improvement of offender assessment forms and the introduction of offender treatment programs .(UNAFEI)
Conclusion
Timor-Leste's penological landscape reflects a commitment to reform and human rights, with notable strides in gender-sensitive reforms, staff training, and international collaboration. However, challenges such as overcrowding, limited resources, and the need for a fully developed juvenile justice system continue to pose obstacles. Addressing these issues will be crucial for the country to establish a more effective and humane correctional system.(APT)
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