Building on the Council of Europe's commitment to support criminal justice reforms in Armenia, the projects “Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of the Persons in Detention in Armenia” and “Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia” set the agenda for the second half of 2024. At their joint Steering Committee meeting in Yerevan on 11 June 20224, the key project partners reflected on the achieved progress and adopted seven-months’ work plans.  

Progress has been ascertained in various aspects of the penitentiary system. Notable improvements include expanding telemedicine services to provide inmates with access to highly qualified medical professionals. Specialised intervention protocols have been established to address suicide and self-harm risks. A significant advancement towards establishing a more rehabilitative approach to individuals deprived of liberty involved the development of a special risk and needs assessment tool, which has been officially piloted in four Armenian prisons following a decree of the Minister of Justice. Support was provided to reforming the conditional release mechanism aligning it with the Council of Europe standards and recommendations. Efforts to enhance the Ministry of Internal Affairs' capacity in documenting and reporting alleged ill-treatment cases in police detention facilities have also been strengthened.

The Council of Europe also continued supporting the Armenian Probation Service through several initiatives. Recommendations to reform the performance evaluation system for probation officers incorporating self-assessment and other key performance criteria have been developed. The Council of Europe also supported the introduction of a rehabilitative programme targeting violent offenders that will be piloted this year. A comprehensive review of the Probation Service’s regulatory framework was conducted, resulting in recommendations for legislative improvements and alignment with European standards. Additionally, the Council of Europe facilitated the membership of the Armenian Probation Service in the Confederation of European Probation, enhancing its international visibility and fostering best practice exchanges.

The efforts to promote collaboration among state agencies on probation and penitentiary services, emphasising interagency and interdisciplinary cooperation, will also continue.

The Steering Committee will carry on refining project plans comprehensively and inclusively. This commitment supports our shared goal with projects' partners to achieve meaningful and sustainable development in human rights and justice in Armenia.

The Projects are financed within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and implemented by the Council of Europe.