OSCE Centre, Kyrgyz Ministry discuss reform of penitentiary system
BISHKEK, 20 May 2008 - The reform of the Kyrgyz penitentiary system was discussed at a meeting of representatives of the OSCE Centre and the Ministry of Justice in Bishkek today.
"We highly value the efforts of the Kyrgyz authorities, namely the Justice Ministry, in advancing the process of the reform of the penitentiary system, and its close co-operation with the civil society and international partners in these efforts," said Lilian Darii, the Acting Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. "Supporting these reforms is one of the priorities of the Centre, which in 2008 increased its assistance in this area."
The Justice Ministry and the OSCE Centre also signed an agreement on implementing a project to improve the access of prisoners of Juvenile Colony #14 in Voznesenovka to secondary education, and to help those released better adapt to life.
The OSCE Centre transferred a vehicle for the transportation and escorting of prisoners for the needs of the Ministry.
Justice Minister Marat Kayipov thanked the OSCE for the substantial support to the ministry's initiatives, including in the liberalization of the criminal legislation and in the introduction of a probation service.
The OSCE Centre supports a Training Centre for the staff of the Justice Ministry's penitentiary system, is helping improve living conditions of the Juvenile Colony #14 and the Rehabilitation Colony #10 in Jalalabad, including in providing clothes, shoes, bed-linen, legal and psychological consultations, computer and other necessary equipment.