The authorities aim to develop and optimize the probation system so as to strengthen its role in the justice system. On June 3, the Ministry of Justice held a meeting to debate publicly the draft strategy for developing the probation system for 2016-2020. The strategy aims to ensure the monitoring of probation sentences, the social reintegration of persons who broke the law so as to reduce recidivism and increase social safety, and to provide support to the judicial bodies in individualizing punishments, IPN reports.
Deputy Minister of Justice Anatolie Munteanu said probation is an important subject for the future of criminal justice. Thirteen years ago, there were more than 8,000 people in penitentiaries. Following measures taken to remedy the situation, the figure fell to 6,000. “Today, the situation in penitentiaries is not at all simple. On January 1, 2016, there were 8,054 detains in penitentiaries. On the other hand, the situation concerning the regulation of penal procedures, in terms of time serving, is also not simple. The system is very rigid and does not satisfy the current requirements,” he stated, adding that a bill on amnesty was drafted to ease the situation, but it’s better to strengthen probation and its mechanisms.
The strategy for developing the probation system for 2016-2020 defines the main activity directions and specific objectives of each direction aimed at making probation a public authority of national interest that contributes to doing justice. These goals are to be achieved by the psychosocial assessment and reintegration of persons in the legal system, diminution of the risks of committing new offences, maintaining of community security.
The document envisions the assessment of the probation system in relation to its mission of alternative to jail, the current legislation and the good practices used in other countries.
