Prison governors, judges, representatives of Ombudsman’s Office, the academia and civil society representatives gathered in Skopje to discuss key recommendations to increase the penitentiary network efficiency, following the assessment mission that took place in January 2025, supported through the Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye, a joint European Union and Council of Europe programme.
The roundtable was centred on the main findings of the two Council of Europe international consultants, following their visit to six penitentiary institutions including the prison Kumanovo (and its open department located in Kriva Palanka), prison Bitola and Ohrid (both the children’s prison and remand unit for adults), the open department in Struga, as well as the Correctional Educational Institution Tetovo. During their mission, they identified the potential in increasing the efficiency of the prison network, providing in their analysis key recommendations that would contribute to better conditions for the persons deprived of liberty, as well as ensuring equal treatment for the sentenced women accommodated in the open- and the semi-open wards.
The roundtable ensured an inclusive debate between the main actors in the field, in the first effort of the prison authorities to rationalise this network, in the past three decades. This is paving the road for informed decisions to address key challenges and risks.
There was general agreement on the recommendations shared with the beneficiary, which necessitate additional financial, logistical and human resources, while promoting the human rights of inmates in line with Council of Europe standards and best practices. The proposed changes were deemed as timely and relevant considering the undergoing amendments to the Law on Execution of Sanctions, which will reflect the findings of the discussed analysis.
This activity was conducted in the framework of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and its action “Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia”.
