Support to sustainable rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners (VEPs)

On 1 May 2021 the Council of Europe initiated the implementation of an 8-months project entitled “Support to penitentiary system towards sustainable rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina”. The project was implemented in close cooperation with the three Ministries of Justice (Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska) and their respective partners from the entity and state penitentiary institutions.

The overall purpose of the project was to provide continued support to the authorities in BiH in their efforts to further build the capacities of the prison system and strengthen their skills with respect to managing violent extremist prisoners (VEPs).

The project had an overall budget of 200,000 EUR financed under the Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2018–2021 and has been completed by 31 December 2022.

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Useful information

PROJECT NEWS

Back ESPA-VEP Project continues to support the set-up of prison intelligence mechanism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

@ Council of Europe

The second working group (WG) session on prison intelligence mechanism (PIU) manual and training programme, gathering representatives of entity Ministries of Justice, Bijeljina, Mostar, Tuzla, Banja Luka and Zenica prisons, as well as the State prison, took place on 27-28 November in Brcko. The session was also attended by an international consultant who was tasked to review the draft Guidebook for prison operational work prepared by the WG.

The consultant presented his observations and comments, as well as suggestions for improving the Guidebook in line with good practices of other countries. Following a vivid discussion and exchanges, the consultant and the WG members formulated amendments to the document together, which allowed to finalize it on the spot.

Also, a training plan and programme for prison staff on operational work were agreed upon; these trainings will commence in 2024.

This activity was organized within the framework of the project "Ensuring Sustainable Penitentiary Actions in managing rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ESPA-VEP)", funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1 December 2023