Beyond Prison

Ahmed Othmani (1947-2004) was a great figureof the human rights movement and one of the historical leaders of the left in Tunisia. Tunisia's leader Bourguiba imprisoned Othmani (1966-1980). This led him to establish Penal Reform International (PRI) whom he served until he was killed in a hit and run road accident in Morocco in December 2004.

• ForewordRobert BadinterPrefaceMary RobinsonChapter 1. Journey of a GenerationFrom the arid plains to the cityStarting in politicsFrom activism to repressionThe experience of tortureThe experience of prisonA different way of learning about politicsChapter 2. From Revolution to the Defence of FreedomIn praise of pluralismReaching out to the worldDefending the rights of all: the creation of PRINorth and South, a false dichotomyHumanising prisonChapter 3. Crime and PunishmentDispensing justiceOnly for the powerful…Parallel justice… …or alternative justice?A diverse situation worldwideJustice and prisonChapter 4. Prisons – a World ApartOvercrowding in prisonsThe United States, Russia and their emulatorsOld and new offencesA crisis of criminal justiceDramatic health and social problemsHalting the mindless reactionChapter 5. Prison – a Caricature of SocietyThe rich and the restFear, order and violenceRisky cohabitationA pathogenic environmentPrisoners and the outside worldWork in prisonChapter 6. Do Prisoners Have Rights?The slow process of developing lawsGood and bad learnersThe ghost gulagThe unique case of RwandaImplementing gacacaChapter 7. Alternatives to PrisonPrevention is betterWhat should replace prison?Community servicePost-sentence rehabilitationChapter 8. Reforming PrisonResistance to reformOutside influencesWhat reforms, and for what kind of prison?A realistic idealWinning over the doubtersPostfaceSimone Othmani Lellouche