OSCE workshop for penitentiary servants in Armenia highlights importance of providing social assistance to convicts

TSAKHKADZOR, Armenia, 27 November, 2015 – A two-day workshop for enhancing the work of penitentiary servants involved in providing social assistance to, and in the rehabilitation of convicts started today in Tsakhkadzor, Armenia. The workshop is organized by the OSCE Office in Yerevan and the Penitentiary Department of Armenia’s Justice Ministry.

Some 25 penitentiary servants from the Penitentiary Department and penitentiary institutions learnt more about the basic principles and guidelines for social work, the ethical requirements and the working methods for rehabilitating and re-socializing convicted persons. The participants also discussed how to prepare convicts for their reintegration into society.

The workshop focused on sentence plans and the corresponding planning for discharge, covering areas such as case management, crisis intervention, individual and family counselling, negotiation and mediation, as well as pre-release programmes.

“Effective criminal justice systems are important prerequisites for the safety and security of society,” said Radka Rubilina, Human Rights Programme Officer. “For this, clear methodologies and tools need to be in place. This workshop as a joint venture with the Penitentiary Department aims to provide such a forum for further advancement of tools and methodologies.”

Marine Gasparyan, Deputy Head of the Division on Social, Psychological and Legal Works at the Penitentiary Department of the Ministry of Justice, stressed the importance of holding a workshop from the point of view of sharing opinions and experiences, exploring the shortcomings in the current system and suggesting improvements.

Participants also shared experiences in work-related challenges and highlighted the role of penitentiary institutions in restorative justice systems.

A similar workshop will be organized on 4-5 December for another group of penitentiary servants identified by the Penitentiary Department.

The event was held as part of a project aimed at promoting the adherence to human rights standards in the penal reforms.