Enhancement of Human Rights and Health-Care Support to Penitentiary System in Georgia

The Project builds upon the results achieved from the implementation of the previous CoE actions in Georgia, namely the EU-CoE JP “Human rights and healthcare in prisons and other closed institutions in Georgia” implemented in two phases between 2010-2017, and the VC project “Improving mental health care of persons detained in Georgia” implemented during 2018-2019. The previous projects supported to develop mental health care policies in prisons and other closed institutions and to improve the prison staff’ knowledge and skills to handle mental health-related issues better.

The current Project will assist the Special Penitentiary Service (Ministry of Justice) of Georgia in further improvement of healthcare services within the penitentiary system with a particular focus on mental healthcare.

It will also assist development and application of treatment of drug and alcohol addictions while strengthening of harm-reduction approach.

attention will be paid to the continuation of the suicide prevention programmes and training for the psychologists and medical personnel employed in the system.

The Project offers targeted solutions to:

the improved access of inmates to quality psychiatric care and treatment programmes;
establishment of an effective quality internal control mechanism on the provision of health care.

This Project will be implemented within 24 months, with an overall budget of 600 000 Euros financed by the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2016-2019.

Project documentation

Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back Support to National Authorities: Review of the Suicide Prevention Programme

@ Council of Europe

On 4 March 2021, an online meeting took place with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and Special Penitentiary Service (SPS). The objective of the meeting was to discuss the Suicide Prevention Programme (SPP) and its Action Plan, to review the findings and recommendations for improvement provided by the Project’s consultants.

The participants engaged in active discussions on a series of important issues, such as training for staff, referring inmates to qualified mental health professionals and facilities, communication between mental health, medical and correctional personnel, initial screening and subsequent assessment instruments.

The feedback received from the participants during the meeting will be reflected in the final report on findings and recommendations. The report is expected to contribute to the development of the revised SPP and its Action Plan, as well as the refinement of the training for medical and non-medical staff working on suicide prevention in the penitentiary system.

This activity was organized within the Council of Europe Project “Enhancement of Human Rights and Health-Care Support to Penitentiary System”, which supports the improvement of healthcare services within the penitentiary system, with a special focus on mental healthcare.

Georgia 8 March 2021