among others, face challenges and have distinct needs when deprived of their liberty. The UN independent expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity has endorsed the guidance developed by the Association for the Prevention of Torture in 2018 to monitor the situation of LGBTI persons who are deprived of their liberty. The guide sets some measures to prevent ill-treatment and torture and highlights some global promising practices. Ms. Verma further said that while she had already shared some positive examples of actions taken by the state to improve situation in prison but there are gaps remaining especially amid the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. There is a longer term need to address global issue of overcrowding and over incarceration. Long standing shortcomings in data collection and transparency in prisons have been highlighted during the pandemic. Rates of COVID-19 among staffs and people detained remained unknown in many countries as well as the implementation and impact of the release mechanisms. In addition, there is a need for a country specific research on the barriers to the full implementation of alternatives to detention including gender specific options, supported by financial, institutional, and human resources needed to implement them. She stressed that further country specific researchers need to explain why women are increasingly imprisoned, their pathways to offending, their barriers to access justice, their rights as suspects, defendants and convicted persons. She further stated that, very little research has also been conducted with transgender, gender fluid and non-conforming communities in places of deprivation of liberty. Ms. Verma concluded, while the effective management of prisons requires adequate resources, many of the Mandela and Bangkok Rules do not require additional resources for their implementation as highlighted by technical cooperation examples of shared commitment to the division of laws and policies, and ensuring adequate capacity staffing and training can have a positive impact on implementation of the international human rights standards and the protection of persons deprived of their liberty. Awareness of the need to uphold rights of prisoners, to develop an agenda of responsive system and prisons is indeed crucial, but we need to recognise that it is not enough. She ended her remarks by stating that there needs to be a systemic change which requires investment and leadership. 3.3. Ms. Miriam Wachira, Country Director, Justice Defenders, Kenya presented about the application of Mandela Rules in Kenya and efforts to ensure the application of Mandela Rules in Kenya as a case study. Ms. Wachira elaborated that practical application of Mandela Rules enables countries to strengthen prison management with a view to ensure the secure, safe, and human custody of prisoners. However, equal attention must be given to fully address the challenges resulting from the global prison crisis such as: i. Crime prevention Focusing on persons at risk; criminal policy reform to reduce over-incarceration, to promote the effective use of non-custodial sanctions, including evidence-based 30