Back Round Table for presentation of the report from the Assessment mission on the provision of healthcare in the prisons in North Macedonia

Round Table for presentation of the report from the Assessment mission on the provision of healthcare in the prisons in North Macedonia

The Assessment report on the provision of healthcare in the prisons in North Macedonia was presented and discussed at a multilateral round table that took place on 16 April 2019 in Skopje. It gathered representatives of the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions (DES) at the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Coordinator for Healthcare in the Office of the Prime Minister, prison governors, prison doctors and other prison staff, directors and medical staff from the Public Primary Healthcare Centers throughout the country, representatives from the Ombudsman’s Office and the National Preventive Mechanism, as well as NGO representatives.

The report was drafted by two Council of Europe international consultants following their assessment mission, carried out in January and February 2019, and focusing on identifying the weaknesses in the current structure and opportunities for improvements in the provision of prison healthcare in line with the Council of Europe standards and best European practices, particularly in light of the recent transfer of responsibility for prison healthcare from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Health and the regional Public Healthcare centers.

The round table resulted in identified needs to be addressed as a follow-up under the auspices of Horizontal Facility II, such as establishment of standardised procedures and protocols for the provision of medical services in prisons, as well as systematic training for medical and non-medical staff working in prisons in medical ethics in prison healthcare, prison-specific health disorders, as well as in prevention and health promotion in prisons.

The round table was organised within the scope of the Action “Strengthening the protection of the rights of sentenced persons”, co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe within the “Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey” and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Skopje 16 April 2019
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Action summary

The Council of Europe will assist the national authorities in overcoming the identified shortcomings and practical deficiencies related to the treatment of sentenced persons in the beneficiary country. The project will be implemented in close cooperation and partnership with the Ministry of Justice (Directorate for Execution of Sanctions), and will include a wider group of national partners and stakeholders, including the Ombudsman and the National Preventive Mechanism, the Standing Inquiry Committee for Protection of Civil Rights and Freedoms, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and civil society organisations active in the penitentiary field and combatting ill-treatment and impunity.

This action is part of the Council of Europe/European Union Horizontal Facility for Western Balkans and Turkey.

Overall objective

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the protection of the rights of sentenced persons in line with the Council of Europe standards.

Outcomes and expected outputs

Objective 1: To introduce effective prison management and mechanisms for combatting inter-prisoner violence, and further enhance the internal prison inspection system

Expected outputs:

  • The capacity of prison managers and staff to address inter-prisoner violence is enhanced
  • The dynamic security concept is introduced and established in the penitentiary institutions
  • The professional capacities of prison managers and DECS structures is strengthened
  • The capacities of the prison inspection mechanism improved

Objective 2: To improve the treatment of sentenced persons through introduction and implementation of specific treatment programmes

Expected outputs:

  • The treatment of the sentenced persons improved through introduction and implementation of specific treatment programmes
  • A Specific treatment programme for violent offenders is developed and introduced into the penitentiary system

Objective 3: To strengthen the protection of the rights of sentenced persons through introducing effective mechanisms for dealing with cases of ill-treatment and corruption in prisons

Expected outputs:

  • The protection of the human dignity and integrity of sentenced persons in a non-discriminatory and impartial manner improved
  • More effective mechanisms for prevention or dealing with cases of ill-treatment or corrupt practice by prison staff are set in place.
  • An effective discipline system that will contribute to successful rehabilitation of sentenced persons is developed.

This webpage has been produced using funds of a joint project between the European Union and the Council of Europe.  The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.

PROJECT AT A GLANCE
  • Duration: 30 months (29 June 2016 - 30 November 2018)
  • Beneficiaries/Partners: Ministry of Justice (Directorate for Execution of Sanctions), the Ombudsman and the National Preventive Mechanism, the Standing Inquiry Committee for Protection of Civil Rights and Freedoms, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and other national partners, stakeholders and civil society organisations
  • Funded: The European Union and the Council of Europe
  • Budget: 950,000 EUR
project contacts

Donche Boshkovski, Strasbourg

Petar Jordanoski, Skopje