A Working Group (WG) composed of representatives of the North Macedonian Directorate for Execution of Criminal Sanctions and prison professionals from four prison establishments (Idrizovo, Štip, Skopje and Kumanovo) discussed issues related to successful disengagement, rehabilitation and reintegration of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs). The WG members identified the main challenges pertaining to managing the rehabilitation of VEPs and their transition from life in prison to life in the community, at the 1st project WG meeting held on 29-30 January 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia.
The participants learned about good EU practices in implementation of rehabilitation programmes for convicted terrorists, relevant Council of Europe standards and recommendations related to working with VEPs and protection of their rights. The WG members concluded that effective and efficient preparation for release, in conjunction with multi-agency co-operation is a cornerstone of successful and effective rehabilitation of this category of prisoners upon their release and return to the local community. Based on the discussions, an outline of a preparation-for-release programme was proposed as a framework to be further developed by the North Macedonian beneficiaries with the support of the Council of Europe.
The activity took place under the Beneficiary-specific component of the action “Enhancing co-operation in the Western Balkans in managing violent extremism in prisons and preventing further radicalisation after release”, implemented under auspices of the Horizontal Facility Programme and its third phase, co-funded by EU and CoE and implemented by the Council of Europe.
European Prison Rules
