Despite many positive reforms and success in moving away from the punitive penal policies of the Soviet era, criminal justice systems in the South Caucasus face a number of challenges.
Corruption is a persistent problem, particularly in Armenia and Azerbaijan. Trained pre-independence, members of the judiciary lack full independence and expertise, often resulting in the over-use of custodial sentences. Transition from Soviet-style prison colony to cell-type prisons is an ongoing challenge, along with maintaining and replacing buildings that were not originally designed as places of detention and which are unfit for habitation.
PRI has been working in the region since 1999. Our South Caucasus regional office is in Tbilisi, Georgia, and operates in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Recent work has focused on:
- Torture prevention and improving independent public oversight of places of detention
- Building the role of civil society in criminal justice systems in its role as an oversight mechanism of government and in monitoring places of detention
- Improving access to rehabilitative services for women in prison, recently released from detention and those serving non-custodial sentences
- Promoting non-custodial sanctions
- Building the capacity of prison and probation services
Latest updates
News
Tribute to John William Nyoka, Penal Reform International’s Board member
Penal Reform International (PRI) mourns the death of John William Nyoka, Board member, who passed away yesterday on 3 February 2021 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. John Nyoka had faithfully served PRI’s Board since 2016, bringing a passion for prison reform in Africa following a long career in the prison service and later as a […]
News
Olivia Rope appointed as leader of Penal Reform International
The Executive Board of Penal Reform International (PRI) has announced that Olivia Rope has been appointed as the organisation’s Executive Director. Olivia, who has been acting Executive Director since 1 November, is stepping up from her role as Director of Policy and International Advocacy. Dirk van Zyl Smit, Chairperson of PRI, said “We are delighted […]
News
Advisory Council established with distinguished experts appointed to support PRI’s work
Penal Reform International (PRI) has announced the establishment of an Advisory Council and is honoured that eight distinguished experts have been elected as the first members. The Council will strengthen the organisation’s impact and networks to achieve PRI’s ambitions for 2020-2023. Hon’ble Justice Muhammad Imman Ali, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and […]