25 May 1984

Meeting 21

Alternatives to imprisonment

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling resolutions 8 and 10 of the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders,

Acknowledging the importance of further developing alternatives to the sanction of imprisonment,

Considering the noticeable progress made in various countries in intensifying contacts between sentenced persons and the community at large,

Aware that further progress is needed in order to reduce the social and psychological costs related to imprisonment,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General on alternatives to imprisonment and measures for the social resettlement of offenders;

2. Encourages Member States to increase their efforts in order to further expand the use of such measures;

3. Calls the attention of Member States to the recommendation of the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders that the principles on linking the rehabilitation of offenders to related social services should be taken into account when formulating strategies for deinstitutionalization within the overall framework of crime prevention;

4. Welcomes the recommendation of the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control that these matters should be considered by the Seventh United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, under the item of the provisional agenda entitled "Formulation and application of United Nations standards and norms in criminal justice";

5. Requests the Secretary-General to update the report on alternatives to imprisonment, on the basis of information to be provided by Member States and other sources, including relevant non-governmental organizations and professional organizations, for submission to the Seventh Congress.