"The impacts of climate change and environmental instability can intensify existing vulnerabilities in prisons, creating unique risks to the health and safety of those living and working within them. While prisons have a significant environmental footprint, they are often overlooked in broader sustainability discussions. At the same time, all stakeholders, including people detained in prison, can become agents of change, fostering more sustainable practices.
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) and Penal Reform International (PRI) are strongly committed to advancing policies that promote humane and environmentally responsible prison systems. This commitment aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which advocates for peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions, as well as SDG 13, which emphasises taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
This study is the result of a research initiative to examine how sustainable practices can be integrated into prison settings while supporting rehabilitation efforts. Drawing on global examples, it highlights practical and often cost-effective approaches that benefit both people in prison and the wider community.
Sustainability initiatives in prisons should also be part of a broader strategy for penal reform - one that prioritises reducing the overuse of imprisonment while safeguarding the rights of people in prison.
We hope that the promising practices and recommendations presented in this report will inspire and drive reforms that support ecological sustainability, enhance prison conditions, promote effective rehabilitation, and contribute to safer and more secure communities worldwide."
Leif Villadsen, Acting Director UNICRI / Olivia Rope, Executive Director Penal Reform International
Download Green Prisons: A Guide to Creating Environmentally Sustainable Prisons
Read the opening statement by Acting Director Leif Villadsen