A Milestone for Women’s Rights
The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders—better known as "The Bangkok Rules"—were officially adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 21, 2010. As we mark the 15th anniversary, we look back at the journey from a vision of empathy to global standards of practice.
Why Prisons Were Not Enough
For decades, global corrections were governed by the Standard Minimum Rules (SMRs), or "Mandela Rules," originally established in 1955. While these rules championed human dignity and prohibited torture, they were fundamentally designed "by men, for men"
In that era, men accounted for over 90% of the prison population.
Women were treated "equally" to men, which ironically led to inequality because their specific biological and social needs—such as reproductive health and histories of abuse—were ignored.
The Spark: "Kamlangjai" (Inspired)
The change began in 2001, when HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati visited the Central Women’s Correctional Institution as a student. She witnessed firsthand that prisons were not built with women’s gender-specific needs in mind, particularly regarding hygiene, pregnancy, and childcare.
Upon returning from her studies at Cornell University, Her Royal Highness launched the "Kamlangjai" (Inspired) Project in 2006.
- Concept: The name "Kamlangjai" (Inspire) reflects the belief that everyone—whether inside or outside prison walls—can send "strength of spirit" to one another.
- Action: The project initially focused on pregnant inmates and mothers, filling gaps in government budget and care through public-private partnerships.
From Local Initiative to Global Policy
The success of the "Kamlangjai" project was showcased at the United Nations in Vienna in 2008. Recognizing that existing international standards were insufficient, Thailand launched the Enhancing Life of Female Inmates (ELFI) project to advocate for a new global standard.
This led to the drafting of the world's first rules specifically prioritizing gender-sensitive justice.
After extensive lobbying and expert consultation, the UN adopted these as “The United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders” or the "Bangkok Rules" in 2010 to honor Thailand’s leading role.
What Are the Bangkok Rules?
The 70 rules provide a comprehensive framework for managing women in the justice system, divided into four key sections:
- General Management: Admission, safety, and daily care.
- Special Categories: Care for pregnant women, foreign nationals, and victims of abuse.
- Non-Custodial Measures: Alternatives to prison for minor offenses.
- Research & Evaluation: Planning and raising public awareness.
To drive these rules into practice, the Thai government established the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) in 2011. TIJ works closely with the UNODC and the Department of Corrections to implement these standards domestically and across ASEAN.
Beyond the Bars: Breaking the Cycle
Research shows that women often enter prison due to discrimination, harsh drug policies, and poverty, with many being survivors of domestic violence.
- Alternative Measures: For many women, prison causes more harm than good. Measures like electronic monitoring, community service, and restorative justice allow women to remain with their families and avoid the stigma of imprisonment.
- Global Trend: By 2025, regions like Europe, North America, and Australia are increasingly using these non-custodial alternatives rather than prison sentences.
Restart Academy: Preparing for Real Life
A major evolution of the Bangkok Rules over the last 15 years is the focus on "Pre-release Program".
- The Restart Academy: A model established by TIJ and the Department of Corrections, this initiative operates as a Social Enterprise. It trains inmates in viable careers—such as culinary arts, spa services, and arboriculture—while teaching life skills and financial management.
- Impact: After two years, the project demonstrated a Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 7.7 times, significantly reducing drug use and recidivism among participants.
The Next Step: Bangkok Rules Accelerator
Despite progress, the female prison population has risen by 57% between 2000 and 2025 (compared to a 22% rise for men). To address this, UNODC and TIJ are launching the "Bangkok Rules Accelerator".
- Goal: To accelerate the practical implementation of gender-responsive justice and support the UN's "Women, Peace and Security" agenda.
- Launch Date: The project will officially launch on December 12, 2025, at the TIJ Building in Bangkok during the international conference "From Vision to Action: 15 Yearts of the Bangkok Rules and the future of Gender-Responsive Justice".
Join the Movement We invite all partners and networks to join the Bangkok Rules Accelerator. Together, we can drive a criminal justice system that truly respects gender differences and human dignity.
Register here: https://forms.gle/J5JkPCg1HBALcuLX7
