the practical implementation of the United Nations norms and guidelines in crime prevention and criminal justice systems through various forms of international co-operation, "Considering that the European Meeting of Heads of Prison Administrations, held at Messina and Rome from 6 to 12 November 1989 in preparation for the Eighth United Nations Congress, provided an excellent opportunity for an exchange of information and experience between European countries, "Noting with appreciation the close collaborative links established between the United Nations crime prevention and criminal justice programme and its human rights programme, "Recognizing the necessity and relevance of imprisonment as a penal sanction against some offenders in the overriding interests of public safety, "Conscious of the heavy demands made by the criminal justice system on the human and material resources of Member States, "Taking account of the high economic and social costs of imprisonment as a penal sanction, "Acknowledging the effects of imprisonment on the psychological, emotional and social aspects of the personality of the individual offender, "Bearing in mind the potentially damaging consequences of imprisonment for the family and for the social relationships of the offender, "Taking into account the effectiveness and lower economic and social cost of non-custodial sanctions, "Cognizant of the need to intensify the search for credible non-custodial sanctions and to expand their application, "Reaffirming that crime prevention, criminal justice and the treatment of offenders are important elements in the overall social defence and socio-economic development of States that embody respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Member States: "(a) To examine the extent to which offences might be decriminalized; "(b) To consider also the extent to which the use of imprisonment might be replaced by non-custodial sanctions consistent with public safety; "(c) To emphasize that non-custodial sanctions constitute sentences in
**Analysis**
This text appears to be focused on the criminal justice system and the use of imprisonment as a penal sanction, highlighting the need to consider alternative non-custodial sanctions and the impact of imprisonment on individuals and society. The text also touches on the economic and social costs of imprisonment, suggesting that it may have implications for economic development and human rights.

**Category**
Employment, Humanitarian aid and relief