On 20-22 January, international experts of the Council of Europe will visit Georgia to assess the effectiveness of the suicide prevention programme in penitentiary institutions. This will be the second interim assessment conducted in the framework of the European Union/Council of Europe joint project “Human Rights in Prisons and Other Closed Institutions”.

As part of the assessment exercise, the experts will meet representatives of the Ministry of Corrections and personnel in charge of implementation of the programme, and observe the on-going cascade trainings on suicide prevention activities organised with the support of the EU/CoE joint project.

The suicide prevention programme has been running in 12 penitentiary institutions since 2013 and has had 160 beneficiaries so far. The EU/CoE joint project has provided extensive assistance to its implementation by trainings for medical and non-medical staff members and prison administration on suicide prevention activities. As a result, around 300 professionals working in prisons are already able to able to identify, prevent and manage suicide risks.

 Results of the assessment will be reflected in the recommendations which will help the Ministry of Corrections further increase effectiveness of the programme.

The EU/CoE Joint Programme “Human Rights in prisons and Other Closed institutions” was launched in July 2013 and it aims to strengthen human rights and improve access to healthcare for persons deprived of their liberty. The Programme is funded by the European Union and Implemented by the Council of Europe.

More about the suicide prevention activities supported by the project:

Training prison managers in Suicide Prevention Activities

Training sessions on suicide prevention continue

Training on Suicide Prevention Activities in Prisons

Training of trainers on suicide prevention activities in prisons