Probation Service to act as separate type of public service - draft

During the session of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly, Deputy Minister of Justice Levon Balyan presented the legislative package providing for amendments and supplements to the Law “On probation service” and related laws.

By the draft, the Probation Service must act as a separate type of public service, the differentiated approach between subordinate state bodies with the same status must be ruled out, necessary prerequisites must be created to motivate the officers and make the service more engaging. These amendments will provide the opportunity to also expand the social guarantees for probation officers.

Taking into consideration the exclusivity of the functions of the Probation Service, as well as the goals and functions specific to the body ensuring public safety, supporting implementation of criminal justice and performing works aimed at preventing and reducing recidivism, the Probation Service will act as a separate type of public service.

The need for regulation is conditioned by the goals and functional characteristics of the Probation Service. The legislative package regulates the peculiarities of the organisation and activities of the Probation Service, the main principles and objectives of the Service, the terms and conditions for starting service, as well as other relations pertaining to the Service.

The legislative package was approved after the discussion held by the Committee on State and Legal Affairs.