OSCE-supported workshop aims to facilitate partnership of social and criminal justice systems in Armenia

Mainstreaming social services for former prisoners in the framework of ongoing criminal justice reforms and institutionalization of integrated social services was the aim of the OSCE-supported workshop co-organized with the Offenders’ Rehabilitation Center of Armenia’s Ministry of Justice on 31 March - 2 April 2016 in Aghveran, Kotayk region of Armenia.

Some 30 representatives from the Ministry of Justice, including the Offenders’ Rehabilitation Center, Penitentiary Department, penitentiary institutions, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and non-governmental organizations explored social partnership mechanisms for former convicted persons among penitentiary and social care providers. The participants discussed the draft order of the Minister of Justice on “Social reintegration, referral of prisoners and aftercare” developed by Offenders’ Rehabilitation Center on the Government reforms agenda.

Issues related to the early conditional release, pre-release and after-care programmes of former prisoners and the role of non-governmental organizations in rehabilitation and re-integration of former prisoners were among the discussion topics.

The experience of Georgian criminal justice reforms, referral mechanisms and partnership models for ex-prisoners were presented by Nino Biseishvili, the Head of the Rehabilitation and Re-socialization of Former Prisoners Division, Crime Prevention Center of Ministry of Justice of Georgia. Head of the Department of Social Support of Armenia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs Astghik Minasyan presented roadmap of the integrated social services and introduction of case management in Armenia.

The event was part of the OSCE Yerevan Office’s efforts to support criminal justice and penitentiary reforms.