Tbilisi: Rati Bregadze, the Georgian Minister of Justice has received the delegation of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) of the Council of Europe.
The Minister, during his meeting with the delegation have shared the views on prison reforms in Georgia.
In the framework of the meeting, Rati Bregadze spoke about the ongoing reforms in Georgia’s penitentiary system and introduced the delegation to the innovations and news that were implemented, taking into account the recommendations given during the previous visits.
The minister highlighted the new Penal Code adopted in 2023 Georgia. Under the new provisions of this law established even higher standards for protecting the rights of convicts and accused and improved the rights of employees in the penitentiary system.
The conversation touched on the innovation of the “Digital University”, which allows convicts to remotely receive higher education and develop skills through daily and direct interaction with lecturers.
It should be noted that at the meeting Minister Bregadze spoke about another innovative project—Houses of Justice in penitentiary institutions. Within the framework of this initiative, convicts/accused persons can receive up to 50 services of the House of Justice in seven penitentiary institutions (No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, No. 8, No. 10, No. 12, No. 16).
Additionally the Minister introduced the delegation to a new service. This online clinic provides quick and effective access to medical services for the convicted/accused. It includes information about the Saakadze training base, which offers special training courses to the employees of the Penitentiary Service, the Probation Agency, the National Bureau of Enforcement and the General Inspectorate.
The minister informed the delegation members about the new penitentiary facility opened in the Laituri district in 2023 and informed them that at the beginning of 2025, 1 new small facility will be opened in Rustavi.
The minister also told the delegation members about other infrastructural innovations implemented in penitentiary institutions, which, among others, effectively implement the “Sports Strategy” introduced in the penitentiary system.
On the other hand, the ministry Rati Bregadze also spoke about convict rehabilitation-resocialization programs and employment opportunities, including “re-market” and opportunities for the sale of commercial handicrafts.
