In an effort towards enhancing the rehabilitative approach in Armenia’s criminal justice system, a workshop centred on the -reliability check of the risk and needs assessment (RNA) tool during its piloting phase in Armenian prisons was held in Yerevan on 22 March 2024. This workshop attracted participants from the Penitentiary service and the staff directly involved in piloting the tool. The primary objective of the workshop was to address the challenges encountered during the implementation of the RNA tool and assess its reliability.
The RNA tool that is being piloted in four penitentiary institutions since 1 December 2023 is a promising advancement in assessing and managing resocialisation risks and needs of inmates within Armenia's prison system. Reliability check of the toolkit as well as fruitful discussions during the workshop brought to light various aspects, including practical challenges arising during the piloting phase. In order to check reliability of the tool, the participants were asked to work on the same case independently from each other by assessing the resocialisation needs of an inmate through the RNA tool. The aim was to see if all the participants achieve similar assessment results, which would prove the reliability of the tool.
The workshop served as a platform for effective dialogue and the exchange of ideas, with participants actively engaging in discussions on strategies to enhance the reliability and effectiveness of the RNA tool. As the piloting phase progresses, the results of the reliability exercise and insights gained from workshop will be instrumental in refining and optimising the RNA tool for broader implementation across Armenia's prison system.
This event is part of the Council of Europe’s support within the framework of the Project “Strengthening the protection of the rights of persons in detention” that assists the national authorities to further enhance penitentiary reform, prison health care and the protection of human rights of persons deprived of liberty. The Project is financed within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and implemented by the Council of Europe.