Support the scaling-up of the probation service in Armenia

The “Support the Scaling-Up of the Probation Service in Armenia” Project is part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022. It is implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the main partners, namely the Ministry of Justice of Armenia and the State Probation Service.

This 32-months project is a project which aims at assisting the national authorities to fully endorse the concept of probation in practice through providing the necessary legislative, institutional and operational framework that will facilitate the use of probation services in the country, thus enhancing community safety and the fair administration of justice. Changes are envisaged at both the level of perception as well as operating/legislative framework, to ensure compliance with Council of Europe Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)1 of the Committee of Ministers to member states on the Council of Europe Probation Rules.

To this end, and in line with the principles arising from the Council of Europe’s Recommendation (2010)1 on Probation Rules, support has been provided at the following levels:

to build a longterm plan ensuring the commitment of Armenian authorities in sustainable manner;
to increase the scope and areas of work covered by the State Probation Service with the revision and or development of relevant legislation;
to enhance the skills and knowledge of probation officers;
to introduce new working tools and working methodologies;
to secure the cooperation with the judiciary, community and civil society, as well as increase the awareness of wider public.

Namely, in line with the European Probation Rules, it was expected that once fully operational, the Armenian Probation Service will:

contribute to a fair criminal justice process as well as to public safety by preventing and reducing the occurrence of offences;
support the criminal proceedings through advisory reports and mediation;
implement non-custodial sanctions measures in line with the applicable legislation;
facilitate the re-integration of offenders.

The amount devoted to this project is EUR 871,995.

Its implementation started in October 2019 and ended in December 2022.

Project documentation

Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back Advancing criminal justice: exploring alternative measures to detention in Armenia

Council of Europe

An event of 27 February 2024 on alternative measures to detention in Yerevan marks a significant step towards addressing pressing issues in the criminal justice system of Armenia. The meeting, which brought together key stakeholders including representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Probation Service, and local and international consultants from the Council of Europe, underscores a rigorous effort of the authorities to explore innovative solutions to challenges in implementing new restraint measures and sanctions effectively.

One of the central parts of the event was the discussion on the application of electronic monitoring measures, particularly in cases of house arrest. Electronic monitoring represents a modern approach to supervision of offenders that allows them to serve their sentences within the community while being monitored electronically, thus reducing the strain on the prison system and enabling individuals to maintain ties with their families and communities. The practicalities and potential problems of electronic monitoring were topics of consideration during the discussions.

The event also provided an opportunity to explore the Council of Europe standards and draw upon the experiences of various European countries in the application of alternative measures to detention. This exchange of knowledge and best practices is crucial for informing Armenia's approach to implementing house arrest, administrative supervision, and restriction of liberty in accordance with international standards.

The engagement of participants allowed for an open exchange of ideas and addressed current challenges in Armenia, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration and coordination among stakeholders. The outcomes of the meeting will be used to finalise the guidelines on the use of alternative measures being developed by local and international consultants taking into consideration best practices from other countries corresponding to local context. This is the first attempt to help national authorities to have a step-by-step document that will guide probation officers in charge of electronic measures to navigate in the application of new alternative measures to detention.

By embracing alternative measures to detention and exploring innovative approaches to criminal justice, Armenia can make a further step towards a more rehabilitative and humane system that prioritizes both public safety and individual rights.

This event is part of the Council of Europe’s support within the framework of the Project “Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia”. The Project is financed within the framework of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023-2026 and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Armenia 27 February 2024