UN agency passes new standards on prisoner treatment, General Assembly approval expected

VIENNA – The U.N. crime prevention agency has revised international standards on treatment of prisoners to focus on greater respect for human rights.

The revisions were passed Friday by the Vienna-based U.N. Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. They update standards in effect for 60 years.

The new rules expand prohibitions on torture and other cruel or inhumane treatment. Solitary confinement is to be limited to 15 days maximum. They also address issues such as cell and body searches, complaints of torture and ill treatment, the right to legal representation and more.

Called the Mandela Rules after the late South African activist and president, the revisions are expected to be adopted by the U.N. General Assembly.

Amnesty International praised them as possibly heralding "a new era of respect" for prisoners' human rights.