Armenia

Council of Europe Office in Yerevan

For years, A.P. (name changed to protect his privacy) was, in the eyes of his family, a person full of life. He was fiercely loyal, deeply attached to his family, and never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. But those closest to him also knew another side of his personality. When he felt wronged or witnessed what he saw as injustice - particularly in the workplace - his emotions could overwhelm him, and his temper often proved difficult to control. His friends describe a gradual turning point rather than a sudden change. As A.P. began spending more time with a new circle of acquaintances involved in dubious activities, he slowly drifted away from the person they had always known.

A.P. tells the story differently. He recalls feeling isolated, frustrated, and misunderstood during that period of his life. His new friends, he says, offered him something important: respect, acceptance, and a sense of belonging. For the first time in a long while, he felt seen and supported. It was also during this time that he began using substances. According to A.P., they made him feel stronger, more confident, and better able to silence the anger and emotional turmoil he had long struggled to carry. What started as occasional use during outings with friends or after a bad day at work gradually became part of his daily routine. Over time, A.P. began relying on substances to feel stronger, manage his emotions, and cope with the challenges he was facing. This growing dependence affected his mood, his choices, and the direction his life took, a path that ended not where he had imagined. He was eventually sentenced and placed under probation supervision - a consequence that marked both the lowest point of his journey and the beginning of an opportunity to rebuild his life.

"Before participating in the programmes, I didn’t know what to do with my emotions especially when facing injustice and lack of respect. I didn't realise how important it was. House arrest felt heavy and oppressive, but everything changed when I started to receive support from the Probation Service." — A.P., Project Beneficiary

A Safe Space for Real Transformation

Under the framework of the Council of Europe Projects "Further Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia," and its preceding Project "Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia," the Armenian Probation Service was supported to develop rehabilitation programmes for people like A.P. These programmes support the approach that people can have second chances. A.P. was enrolled in a specialised psycho-educational and therapeutic intervention: the "Substance Use Rehabilitation” and "Reducing Violent Behaviour” Programmes.

These comprehensive programmes offer to offenders like A.P. a structured but primarily non-judgmental, safe environment and resulting in positive changes both in mindset and behaviour. Tailored individual consultations and recurring group sessions, the programmes are led by professional psychologists and probation officers who had undergone the Training of Trainers. It combines theoretical knowledge with practical tools, ranging from emotional self-regulation and stress management to specialised breathing exercises.

"I have appreciated the human treatment itself. I was at my lowest but still unjudged, and calm during every session. I learned a lot about myself and most importantly I needed practical skills to deal with my past soberly and step into a new chapter of my life."  — A.P., Project Beneficiary

Today, A.P. steers out of conflicts and in case of any, he responds to them with more emotional balance and self-awareness. He has learned sufficient and effective coping mechanisms and has a higher level of stress resilience. He regained his sense of humour that helps him to look for a brighter future. His priorities now are building a family, advancing his personal development, and contributing constructively to society. A.P. has a long way to go but he would like to take a second chance in life, continue to grow and continue to learn. He would love to be part of a continuous Programmes.

Behind the Success: The Officer's Perspective

The success of beneficiaries like A.P. demonstrates the profound value of modern, evidence-based probation methodologies. Reflecting on the intervention, the supervising Probation Officer emphasised the structural impact of the new framework:

"Having a structured, repeated psycho-educational and therapeutic framework drastically increases effectiveness compared to traditional ad-hoc meetings. It provides beneficiaries with both theoretical understanding and practical tools to overcome addictions. The combination of proper group sizes, optimal session frequency, and non-judgmental external professional guidance is key to genuine rehabilitation." — Probation Officer & Facilitator

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Rehabilitation in Armenia

A.P.'s story showcases how human-centred justice can transform lives by providing individuals with the knowledge, skills, and strength they need to make positive changes and become responsible, law-abiding members of society. By shifting the focus from punishment to meaningful rehabilitation, the Council of Europe Project "Further Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia" continues to support national authorities in implementing evidence-based programs, empowering probation staff, and offering individuals a genuine second chance.

"I am deeply grateful. To anyone facing similar struggles, my advice to  never surrender to despair, and stop self-blaming. I can tell them to seek and to trust the support offered. I am a changed person, now”. — A.P., Project Beneficiary

*Published under the Council of Europe Project "Further Strengthening the Probation Service in Armenia"
For more information, visit: https://www.coe.int/en/web/yerevan/further-strengthening-the-probation-service-in-armenia