07. March 08
This week a 14-member delegation from the Balkan states visited Estonia in order to acquaint themselves with the rapid development of the Estonian prison system.
According to the adviser to the Legal and Development Division of the Ministry of Justice, Margot Olesk, Estonia was selected from the other EU states especially for its relatively rapid and very successful prison system reform.
“The reform which started in the end of 1990s and encompassed both the provisions of law, personnel policy and imprisonment conditions, has also been noticed on the international arena. The participation in this project is a valuable recognition not only to the officials working in our prisons, but to the whole country and to the mechanisms used for the protection of human rights," Olesk said.
“The guests acquainted themselves with the work carried out in the Prisons Department of the Ministry of Justice, the study system of the correction and prison officer speciality of the Estonian Public Service Academy. They also visited the prisons. In prisons the guests met the prison managers, prison officers of various levels, contact persons, social workers and teachers. The guests also got a comprehensive overview of the work carried out by officials working with minors and female imprisoned persons," Olesk described the visit of the guests.
According to Olesk the whole project includes both the theoretical and the practical side. “Visiting Estonia is related to the practical side as the whole project lasts for almost a year and a half. After the visit these people will put their knowledge into practice in their own countries,” added Margot Olesk.
The delegation which was chosen by the Council of Europe consisted of the representatives of the prisons in Croatia,Serbia, Montenegro,Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo.
All of the participants had also passed the prison system development programme: “The development of a sound and efficient prison system which respects the fundamental rights and norms, and the strengthening of regional cooperation in the West Balkans." The whole project is mainly financed by the European Commission.
The delegation was accompanied by three interpreters and a representative from the Council of Europe. The visit ended today, on 7 March 2008.
