In line with a report on combating prison overcrowding prepared by the Council of Europe experts and with the aim of enhancing implementation of community sanctions and measures, a meeting has been held with members of a Committee appointed by the Ministry of Justice tasked with preparing the Ministerial Decision for reinstating community service in Greece.

Community service was introduced in Greek Criminal Code as an autonomous sanction in 2019 and has been strengthened as an alternative to imprisonment but its enforcement and implementation remains in suspension since August 2019. Its revival remains crucial yet challenging for the Greek Probation Service which has been assigned with the execution of the community service as alternative sanction but which faces significant staff, organizational and capacity shortages.

Council of Europe experts shared best practices from selected members States and presented Council of Europe standards on community service. Additional assistance will be provided to the Committee through a set of recommendations and a presentation of useful practical arrangements inspired by more Council of Europe members States. Council of Europe support will seek to ensure reflection of its standards in the final documents to be adopted by the Greek authorities.

The meeting took place online on 26 April with the support of the project "Strengthening prison health care in Greece“, funded by the Council of Europe Human Rights Trust Fund and implemented by the Criminal Law Cooperation Unit (DG I).