On 28-30 November 2016 the Council of Europe (CoE) and European Union (EU) organised a 3-day training session for the staff of General Inspection of the Ministry of Corrections and Probation on the specifics of internal inspection. The training is part of CoE activities with the aim to strengthen the capacity of the General Inspection.

Training covered theoretical sessions on the prisoners’ rights, international standards of internal inspection and systemic monitoring. The sessions were followed by a supervised learning experience in one of the prisons in Georgia, where participants were able to apply techniques and consolidate theoretical information gathered during the training sessions.

Sessions were delivered and supervised by CoE international experts. They reviewed trainees work and gave valuable recommendations.

It is expected that as a result of the training, the representatives of General Inspection have enhanced their skills in providing internal inspection in prisons, that will promote the concept of healthy institution in the country:  ensure a safe environment in prisons, treatment of prisoners with decency and respect to their dignity, provide meaningful activities, support links to the families and prepare prisoners for the release.

This activity is part of the Council of Europe’s activities to enhance preventive measures for the observance of human rights and strengthen internal and external oversight of places of detention. It was organised within the framework of the CoE/EU Eastern Partnership Programmatic Cooperation Framework Project “Human Rights and Healthcare in prisons and Other Closed Institutions in Georgia II”.