This project aims to strengthen the rule of law and fundamental rights protection in Serbia, in line with EU and Council of Europe standards, focusing on people deprived of liberty and especially those living with mental health challenges. By strengthening the way institutions assess, treat, and support these individuals, the project helps protect their dignity and fundamental rights in line with European human rights standards.

The project supports the Ministry of Justice – Prison Administration in improving treatment inside prisons, expanding the use of alternative sanctions, and creating stronger support networks for people returning to society.

Therefore, the project will be divided in three components that will be implemented in parallel.

Component I - Strengthened capacity of institutions to manage effectively persons deprived of liberty with mental health problems

To achieve that, the focus will be on developing tools and programmes for effective treatment of prisoners with mental health problems, including forensic patients. Hence, the project will address drafting of treatment protocols (model of care) for persons deprived of liberty with mental health problems based on the needs assessment carried out at the very offset of the project..

Component II - Capacity of institutions to more effectively implement alternative sanctions

The project will aim at increasing the effectiveness of alternative (non-custodial) sanctions. Therefore, the component will focus on improving current working modalities of the Commissioner Service (in charge of implementing alternative sanctions and measures), as well as services they provide. This will be achieved by assessing their current practices, procedures and programmes delivered.

Component III -  Improved post care release of offenders

The project will support the cooperation among institutions and the development of new programmes to help former prisoners—especially the most vulnerable—successfully reintegrate into society, including  interventions related to post-release care of former offenders.

The project is co-financed by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe from September 2025 to August 2028.