Back Crafting new beginnings for inmates: a woodworking centre opens in Sevan prison in Armenia

Crafting new beginnings for inmates: a woodworking centre opens in Sevan prison in Armenia

A major step forward towards rehabilitation of inmates was marked today with the opening of a woodworking centre at Sevan Penitentiary, by the Minister of Justice of Armenia and the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan.

The newly renovated facility, now equipped with modern woodworking machinery, was presented during the ceremony that highlighted the continued efforts of the Council of Europe to support Armenia's shift towards a more rehabilitation centred penitentiary system.

The establishment of the woodworking centre, funded by a grant provided by the Council of Europe to the “Legal Education and Rehabilitation Programme Centre” of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, is designed to provide inmates with valuable skills and work experience, that will enable them to compete in the labour market and contribute to society upon their release.

By offering vocational training, the woodworking centre addresses the fundamental need for rehabilitation programmes that prioritise resocialisation rather than punishment. The project is part of a wider initiative to enhance inmate resocialisation and reintegration, as stipulated in Armenia’s New Penitentiary Code.

The establishment of the centre also highlights the broader reform agenda supported by the Council of Europe. The opening of the woodworking centre is expected to have long-term benefits not only for inmates but also for the wider community. By reducing recidivism rates and enhancing employability, such initiatives contribute to a safer society. The Council of Europe’s support for Armenia’s reforms is part of its broader strategy to promote human rights supporting Armenia’s ongoing reforms in criminal justice system.

This event is part of the Council of Europe’s support within the framework of the Project “Strengthening the protection of the rights of persons in detention” that assists the national authorities to further enhance penitentiary reform, prison health care and the protection of human rights of persons deprived of liberty. 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.

 

SEVAN, ARMENIA 21 JANUARY 2025
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 Start date: 1 January 2023

 Duration: 24 months

 Funding: EUR 550,000,  Donors contributing to the Council of Europe Action Plan for Armenia 2023–2026 

Partners: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Penitentiary Service, Prison Medicine Centre

Built on the results of the Council of Europe’s “Enhancing Health Care and Human Rights Protection in Prisons in Armenia” project (hereinafter referred to as the 2019-2022 project), the “Strengthening the Protection of the Rights of Persons in Detention” project supported the Armenian authorities in further strengthening penitentiary reforms and prison health care, as well as the protection of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty.

The Council of Europe provided assistance at the policy and operational levels, supporting the authorities in implementing penitentiary reforms and introducing practical changes in the penitentiary system, in particular following the adoption of the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code and the Penitentiary Code in 2022.

The project focused on the following priority areas:

  • Further strengthening the institutional capacity of the Prison Medicine Centre to provide quality healthcare services in the penitentiary system
  • Further strengthening the knowledge and skills of medical and non-medical personnel on various health topics
  • Development and testing of preventive healthcare programs in penitentiary institutions
  • Strengthening the capacity of penitentiary system staff to implement tools and rehabilitation programmess for persons in detention
  • Harmonization of the legislative framework on human rights with the new Penitentiary Code.

The project was implemented in close cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Prison Medicine Centre with the involvement of a wide range of other local stakeholders and civil society organisations.

The main conventions underlying the project are the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT)  and the The European Convention on Human Rights , as well as the conclusions and recommendations of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).