Probation service should focus more on rehabilitation (video)
It is quite hard to overcome a punitive mentality and focus more on rehabilitation issues of offenders instead. The probation service should focus more on rehabilitation, Andy Bernard, advisor of the probation program, said at the presentation of the preliminary version of the manual on training modules and use of the probation service.
Representative of the Council of Europe Office in Yerevan, the program coordinator Hayk Khemchyan said the probation service aims to help with effective decision making.
“We already developed rehabilitation programs, and the pilot staff will start implementing them once they are ready,” Hayk Khemchyan said announcing the plans to start intense and multidimensional work in September aimed at the introduction of the probation service.
It is being implemented now by the Division for Implementation of Alternative Sanctions, but the newly-created service is expected to be staffed with new employees in the near future.
“We are trying to create new foundations for the introduction of the probation service,” Armenian Deputy Justice Minister Suren Krmoyan said in his speech of welcome during a workshop. He thanked all stakeholders working on the project.
The deputy minister attached special importance to the selection of the staff of the newly-created service, among other issues. The Probation Service of Armenia was set up on the basis of the Division for Implementation of Alternative Sanctions so the new service currently employs staff of that body. But young volunteers with a degree in law will be included in it soon and they will continue working in the newly-established body.
In his speech, Suren Krmoyan touched upon the problems raised during discussions such as corruption risks, the efficiency of the service, etc. He said Justice Ministry is also concerned about those problems so it holds discussions with all stakeholders so as to avoid risks in the future.
Program coordinator Hayk Khemchyan said experienced social workers and psychologists need to be involved so that the new service will be a success.
“The current staff includes qualified lawyers who have experience of working with offenders, but lack some skills from a socio-psychological point of view,” he noted.
Another concern is whether qualified lawyers will be keen to remain in non-military service. To ensure this, the probation service should become attractive, Khemchyan said.