Water, sanitation, hygiene and habitat in prisons : supplementary guidance

These guidelines complement the ICRC handbook “Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Habitat in Prisons” by providing additional information and enhanced specifications, particularly in relation to the accommodation found in the wide variety of prisons throughout the world.

The guidelines are intended to improve the overall understanding of the minimum conditions to be provided in order to guarantee that detainees are always accommodated in detention facilities which meet basic human needs. It is also intended that the guidelines be sufficiently comprehensive to be applicable in a wide range of environments.

Each issue is addressed by considering the reality of the situation and what is considered to be good practice. Chapters follow the format: “Reality” followed by “Good practice and operational implications.” The “Good practice and operational implications” section attempts to cover some of the realities in relation to each topic.

The first topics covered are on the architecture, design principles and living quarters and capacity of prisons. This is followed by two chapters on infrastructure requirements effective water supply, sanitation and hygiene. The remaining chapters deal with special provisions for women, girls, dependent children and juveniles as well as prison maintenance and planning prison construction or rehabilitation.