European experiences in attracting prisoner labour were presented to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and international donors at a hybrid event held on 8 February 2022.
The event supported the launching of the Ministry of Justice’s initiative to reform and further develop prison workshops and other facilities for employment of prisoners in 2022. It raised participants’ awareness on good practices and examples from Germany, the United Kingdom and Romania.
Olena Vysotska, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, recalled the authorities’ commitment to find the optimal model for prisoners’ employment. “Prison jobs should receive greater attention for their role in preparing prisoners for release”, said Steen Nørlov, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, while introducing the recommendations contained in the reports produced under the project.
The positive examples also suggest there is need for resources to be allocated to prison education and vocational training in conjunction with more effective engagement with businesses and civil society. The standards of prison regimes should be improved and variety of resettlement programmes introduced as well, with the aim to ensure a better transition from custody to life in the community.
The event was organised within the framework of the EU and Council of Europe Joint Project "Support to Prison Reform in Ukraine - SPERU", which is designed to promote human rights-compliant management of prisons, including a better alignment of prison healthcare provisions with European standards.
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