For alternatives to prison in South Caucasus

An UNDEF project works for alternatives to prison sentencing in the Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia.  The goal is to promote the effective use of non-custodial and early release measures to challenge the overuse of imprisonment, help decrease in the prison population and build proportionate responses to crime. The project works to help develop a probation system in Armenia and Azerbaijan -- currently completely lacking in both countries -- while supporting community service and early release through parole. Special focus is given to women and juvenile offenders. UNDEF Executive Head a. i. Annika Savill visited inmates in cells at Armenia's high-security and overcrowded Nubarashen prison, and met with prison officials as well as with the Armenian Civil Society Institute, which is partnering with Penal Reform International South Caucasus to implement the project.