The excessive and arbitrary use of pretrial detention critically undermines socioeconomic development—and is especially harmful to the poor.

Of the nearly ten million people in detention around the world, those held before trial or conviction are most at risk of torture.

The majority of Sierra Leone's prison population is in pretrial detention. To reduce the numbers, a local NGO is piloting a prorgam that provides early legal assistance to criminal defendants.

Locking up prisoners for extended periods while awaiting trial feeds corruption; bribes are needed for food and water, for blankets and even to see a lawyer.

Five reasons why the new UN Guidelines and Principles on Legal Aid are groundbreaking and progressive.

This submission details the extent and impact of ethnic profiling on minorities in Spain, and how these practices violate international human rights standards.

Organizations across the region are working to combat excessive pretrial detention. Find out where and how.

We seek to document what happens when pretrial justice systems fail, and to develop and share cost-effective ways to get them working.