A roundtable meeting on mental healthcare and its monitoring in Georgia's penitentiary system was held on 31 October 2023, with the support and facilitation from the Council of Europe.

The event brought together high-profile participants, including members of the Public Defender’s Office, the National Preventive Mechanism, and representatives from civil society organisations working on mental healthcare issues.

The National Preventive Mechanism, responsible for carrying out regular visits to monitor conditions in penitentiary institutions, has identified significant issues of concern related to mental healthcare. These were discussed in detail during the meeting, with the participants making recommendations for immediate action.

The Public Defender’s Office and its partners are committed to working together to address these issues. Together they have developed a comprehensive plan that includes both immediate and long-term actions, such as close monitoring and the formulation of important recommendations.

This joint effort is a significant step towards ensuring that individuals deprived of their liberty receive the necessary support for their mental health. Cooperation is at the heart of this effort, with all stakeholders dedicated to bringing about positive change.

This activity was conducted under the auspices of the Council of Europe project “Enhancing Healthcare Provision in Georgia’s Penitentiary System”, which is a part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2020-2023.