Inaugural workshop of the Probation Support Program in Armenia took place

The inaugural workshop of the Probation Support Program in Armenia was held today in Yerevan.

The Program, which is being implemented by PH International (Project Harmony), in co-operation with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, is financed by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.

Head of the State Probation Service of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Arsen Navasardyan greeted the attendees, underlined the importance of holding this workshop and presented a brief report on the activities having been carried out since the establishment of the Probation Service of the Republic of Armenia, the existing key issues and the development plan of the Service.

Employee of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Arpine Sargsyan presented the reforms being implemented in the other fields relating to the activities in the justice sector and of the Probation Service of the Republic of Armenia, as well as the amendments concerning the procedures for conditional early release of convicts.

During the workshop, Director of PH International (Project Harmony) Armenian Branch Mariam Martirosyan touched upon the Probation Support Program in Armenia, Deputy Director of the "Centre for the implementation of legal education and rehabilitation programmes” SNCO of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Gayane Hovakimyan presented the support of non-governmental organisations to the Probation Service of the Republic of Armenia, the tool for assessing the needs and risks of minor probationers and its current state, and Chairperson of Civil Society Institute NGO Artak Kirakosyan spoke about the tool for assessing adult probationers' needs and risks and its current state and provided information on the support network of the Probation Service.