Nelson Mandela International Day is observed each year on July 18th. In addition to honoring him, the day is also used to promote humane conditions of imprisonment; to raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society; to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.

The United Nations adopted Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and also approved that they should be known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules” in order to honor the legacy of the late President of South Africa, who spent 27 years in prison in the course of his struggle for freedom and equality.