A public debate took place on the 24th June in Skopje about the introduction of a new Probation Service in the Republic of Macedonia. The project to introduce the service, which is part of a larger EU justice reform project, is being led by Agencia’s Andy Stelman.
This important event was attended by the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Director of the Directorate of Execution of Sanctions, a representative of the European Union Delegation, representatives of the British and American Embassies and a number of judges, prosecutors and academics from local universities.
Agencia’s Joint Managing Director Helen Gibson and Director of Justice and International, Steve Pitts also attended the event.
In common with many countries, prisons in Macedonia suffer from overcrowding and there are currently relatively few alternative sanctions available. Andy delivered a presentation outlining the many advantages that the new Probation Service will bring and the types of services planned. Newly appointed Probation Officers will provide reports to judges that will enable them to pass a wide range of sentences, including community based sentences and interventions aimed at reducing further offending.
New legislation will need to be passed to enable the new service to operate and the draft of this was discussed during the event with a number of participants providing constructive feedback. It is anticipated that the new legislation will be passed in the autumn of 2015.
This work in Macedonia is one of a number of justice reform programmes in the Balkans that Agencia has been privileged to deliver.
