Criminal Justice | Open Society Institute

Why We Need a Global Campaign for Pretrial Justice
September 2009
The Open Society Justice Initiative is launching a Global Campaign for Pretrial Justice to promote alternatives to pretrial detention, expand access to legal aid services, and deploy paralegals to intervene earlier in the criminal justice process.

About Criminal Justice
The Open Society Justice Initiative supports criminal justice reform around the world by developing alternatives to pretrial detention, broadening access to competent legal representation, and promoting new alliances for reform.

Pretrial Detention in Nigeria
The Open Society Justice Initiative is working with state and government institutions in Nigeria, as well legal aid providers and the national bar association, to respond to failures in the justice system.

Torture in Central Asia
Since 2004, the Open Society Justice Initiative has documented and investigated torture in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan: helping victims lodge complaints, taking cases before international tribunals, and training local lawyers to advocate for human rights.

New Book Examines Human Costs of Pretrial Detention in Mexico
Press Release
October 16, 2008
A new book explores the human toll of pretrial detention in Mexico through the stories of people who needlessly suffer in jail, sometimes for years, while awaiting trial.

AIDS Conference Looks at Pretrial Detention as a Public Health Issue
September 10, 2009
Two sessions at the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City explored the role of pretrial detention in spreading disease.

Justice Initiatives: Pretrial Detention
Spring 2008
This publication looks at the global over-reliance on pretrial detention and examines the challenges of reducing and reforming its use.

Promoting Prosecutorial Accountability, Independence and Effectiveness
February 2009
This OSI publication is designed to help identify best practices and serve as a reference for policy makers, senior prosecutors, academics, and civil society leaders.