OSCE OFFICE IN YEREVAN SUPPORTS EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR JUVENILES AT ABOVYAN PRE-TRIAL DETENTION CENTRE
armradio.am
22.12.2009 16:35
The OSCE Office in Yerevan donated educational and recreational
resources for the juvenile pre-trial detention centre in Abovyan
today as part of activities to support the improvement of conditions
of persons deprived of their liberty.
The Office donated equipment for an indoor sports centre and leisure
activities, books and other reading materials for the library.
"This support for the Abovyan pre-trail detention centre is part of
the Office’s efforts to assist the Armenian Justice Ministry in its
efforts to improve conditions for persons deprived of their liberty,"
said Carel Hofstra, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.
"Alongside our assistance with capacity building and legislative and
procedural improvements to secure the rights of incarcerated juveniles
to education and health, a donation like this gives them the chance,
while in detention, to engage in sports and learn."
Since 2003, the Office has assisted the Criminal-Executive Department
of the Justice Ministry to reform the criminal justice system in
Armenia and improve the conditions of persons deprived of their
liberty.
In light of continuing penitentiary system reforms, the Office assists
the Criminal-Executive Department to strengthen the professional
capacity of penitentiary institution staff in line with international
standards and practices. An OSCE expert is currently assessing the
training needs of the criminal-executive staff in the legal, social
and psychological spheres to direct future training initiatives.