An international conference on Crime Prevention, Non-custodial Sentences, and Probation was inaugurated in Tbilisi on July 25, coinciding with the Day of Crime Prevention. The conference aims to enhance inter-agency cooperation in crime prevention and probation, promote the professional development of specialists in the field, and facilitate the exchange of information about existing services and resources.

An international conference on Crime Prevention, Non-custodial Sentences, and Probation was inaugurated in Tbilisi on July 25, coinciding with the Day of Crime Prevention. The conference aims to enhance inter-agency cooperation in crime prevention and probation, promote the professional development of specialists in the field, and facilitate the exchange of information about existing services and resources.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, opened the conference, followed by a welcome speech from Lado Kheladze, Head of the Agency for Crime Prevention, Non-custodial Sentences Enforcement, and Probation. Other notable speakers included Deputy Ministers from various sectors, such as labor, health, social protection of IDPs from the occupied territories of Georgia, internal affairs, education, science, and youth. Additionally, the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights Protection and the Chairperson of the Human Rights Protection and Civil Integration Committee of the Parliament of Georgia addressed the attendees.

A representative from the European Confederation presented a research report on Georgia's probation system, highlighting that "the probation system and its activities in Georgia are strongly developed, with significant acceleration in recent years."

Over the two-day conference, professionals in the field will exchange experiences related to crime prevention. Discussions will cover topics such as the development of probation systems in European countries, the involvement of state institutions, society, NGOs, and the private sector in crime prevention, and the possibilities for rehabilitation and re-socialization.

Participants include heads of the Ministry of Justice and Probation Services from Romania, the Czech Republic, Croatia, the Netherlands, and Azerbaijan.

The conference will conclude with the adoption of the Tbilisi Declaration.

Access to public and private sector services continues to expand. Today, a new branch of the Public Service Hall opened in Khashuri, offering up to 500 services to the local population in a modern and comfortable environment. Couples wishing to get married can now plan a ceremonial event in a specially arranged ritual space within the hall.

The Public Service Hall was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, the Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, and the State Commissioner for the Shida Kartli region, Levan Kharabadze.

This new branch is equipped with the latest technology and modern furnishings, and it is fully adapted to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Additionally, around 20 local residents have been employed at the facility.

Expanding the availability of state services is a priority for the Ministry of Justice, which oversees 121 Public Service Halls across Georgia. Citizens living far from regional centers are also served by the innovative Mobile Public Service Hall, which operates in 90 villages throughout the country. In total, more than 20,000 users utilize these services daily.

In the Shida Kartli region alone, nine Public Service Halls are operational, and the Mobile Public Service Hall serves five villages.

This year, ten more Public Service Halls will be opened in Terjola, Akhmeta, Sagarejo, Khelvachauri, Tbilisi (Gldani), Chala, Zoti, Toli, Shrosha, and Tsaisi.

The opening ceremony of the Khashuri Public Service Hall was also attended by the Deputy Ministers of Justice, heads of local authorities, and other invited guests.

Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, and his deputies met today with members of the youth club "YOUTHTITIA" at the Kvareli Training Center. The Minister wished the students success and introduced them to the Ministry's activities and priority areas.

"Thirty students were selected through a competition and will have the opportunity to intern within the Ministry of Justice for one year, and take part in implementation of projects financed by the Ministry. This unique opportunity will aid in their professional development and help the state find motivated, highly qualified, and initiative-taking personnel," said Rati Bregadze.

In the initial phase, members of the youth club will undergo a two-day training on teamwork and the activities of the Ministry of Justice.

"YOUTHTITIA" offers a variety of learning activities, thematic meetings, and opportunities to implement personal projects to second- through fourth-year undergraduate students and master's students from the Faculty of Law.

This platform allows students to develop professional skills, deepen their industry knowledge, engage in public administration, and participate in the Ministry of Justice's reforms.

The Interagency Task Force for Free and Fair Elections (IATF) was established in accordance with the Election Code. Its primary aim is to prevent violations of election legislation by public servants and respond to any infractions. The commission is chaired by Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze.

During its first session, the commission reviewed a report from the State Services Development Agency concerning the completion of the election lists. Additionally, the commission members discussed various organizational issues.

In its efforts to monitor the election environment, the IATF will examine information disseminated by the media, as well as data provided by political unions and monitoring organizations. The IATF will formulate recommendations to address identified incidents, thereby promoting a free and fair election environment.

Citizens can report issues within the IATF's jurisdiction via email at iatf@justice.gov.ge or through the hotline: (+995) 599 85 0011.

The session was chaired by Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze, with participation from IATF members including Deputy Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Finance, Defense, Regional Development and Infrastructure, Education, Science and Youth, IDPs from Occupied Territories, Labor, Health and Social Protection, as well as heads of the General Prosecutor's Office, the Special Investigation Service, the State Security Service, the City Hall of Tbilisi Municipality, the State Audit Service, and the Central Election Commission.

The IATF will operate until the Central Election Commission officially publishes the final election results.

A new manual on penal law has been developed and published as part of a winning project within the Ministry of Justice's grant program. The manual was crafted by Moris Shalikashvili, Givi Mikanadze, Zoya Khasia, and Nunu Maglagelidze.

The manual dedicates significant attention to analyzing the norms of the Penal Code, the Constitutional Court's practices in penal enforcement, and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.

Designed for field specialists, law students, penitentiary service employees, and interested readers, the manual aims to provide comprehensive insights into penitentiary law.

Minister of Justice Rati Bregadze, along with deputy ministers, the manual's authors, and representatives of the academic community, summarized the grant project's results.

The Minister emphasized the importance of training the next generation of system employees and lawyers in penitentiary law, focusing on the rights of the accused/convicted and penitentiary service employees.

"The manual thoroughly discusses the rights of prisoners and penitentiary institution employees, essential for the proper and effective functioning of these institutions. It also includes analyses of foreign literature, international norms, reports from the Public Defender of Georgia, and decisions from the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the European Court of Human Rights. This will help form a comprehensive view of the field for interested individuals," stated Rati Bregadze.

Meeting participants highlighted the relevance of the new penal law manual and the importance of raising awareness in the field of penal law.

The Ministry of Justice announces this grant competition annually, aiming to introduce innovative services, strengthen human rights protection, and enhance legal security. This year, the Ministry finances 17 winning projects through the grant competition, promoting civil society participation in the Ministry's activities and supporting civil initiatives.

Today, the 120th branch of the Public Service Hall opened in Batumi. Located in "Batumi Central," this new branch, Batumi Public Service Hall No. 2, will serve both the city's residents and those from surrounding settlements.

The new branch employs over 40 local staff members who will offer customers up to 500 services, maintaining the high standards for which the Public Service Hall is known. This will enhance the management and distribution of customer flows, optimizing both waiting and service times.

Deputy Minister of Justice Erekle Gvinianidze, Mayor of Batumi Archil Chikovani, and Chairperson of the Public Service Hall Lasha Lobjanidze visited the new branch. They noted that this second Batumi branch will meet the growing demand driven by the city's rapid urban development.

Expanding access to public services is a top priority for the Ministry of Justice, evidenced by the 120 Public Service Halls across Georgia. In a few weeks, the 121st branch will open in Khashuri.

This year, the Public Service Hall's geographical coverage will expand further, with new branches under construction in Chala, Zoti, Toli, Tsaishi, Shrosha, Tbilisi (Gldani), Terjola, Akhmeta, Khelvachauri, and Sagarejo.

Additionally, the innovative Mobile Public Service Hall project serves citizens living far from regional centers. In Adjara, seven Public Service Halls are in operation, and the Mobile Public Service Hall reaches 10 villages.

The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science, has launched a national-scale initiative to provide teachers and school personnel with the skills necessary to identify and respond to illegal or challenging behavior among minors promptly.

The primary goal of this crime prevention course is to prevent crimes by individuals under 18, thereby protecting teenagers from potential legal conflicts and ensuring the safety of society.

Through this training, teachers and relevant personnel from public and private schools will significantly enhance their role in early crime prevention and strengthen their response to incidents involving minors in coordination with the relevant agencies.

The course was officially presented today. Key speakers included the Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze; the Minister of Education and Science, Giorgi Amilakhvari; the Adviser to the Prime Minister on human rights issues, Niko Tatulashvili; and the Head of the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Enforcement of Non-custodial Sentences, and Probation, Lado Kheladze.

The course includes the following thematic topics:

• Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Referral;
• Specifics of child development stages;
• Causes and protective factors of deviant behavior in minors;
• Role of schools in crime prevention;
• Positive discipline techniques for teachers when dealing with juveniles in conflict with the law;
• Gambling and substance addiction;
• Video game disorder in adolescents;
• Violence against children etc.

The event was attended by heads of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Education and Science agencies, including representatives from the Training Center of Justice and the Professional Training Center for Teachers, who will be directly involved in implementing the initiative. The course's beneficiaries, teachers from public and private schools, were also present.

The Digital University has been recognized as one of the top three innovative projects by the European Organization of Prison and Penitentiary Systems (Europris). Out of 37 projects submitted by European countries, the Digital University stood out in the annual Europris award.

This prestigious recognition was announced at the 13th annual meeting of Europris, held on June 26 in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. The event was attended by Georgian officials, including Deputy Minister of Justice Beka Dzamashvili, Head of Special Penitentiary Service Nika Tshvarashvili, and Deputy Director of the Training Center of Justice Vakhtang Asanidze, along with representatives from penitentiary institutions of Europris member countries.

The success of the Digital University highlights the significant progress in Georgia's penitentiary system. Previously plagued by systemic human rights violations until 2012, the system is now regarded as exemplary across Europe by international institutions.

Launched in 2022, the Digital University project in Georgian penitentiary institutions provides convicts with access to education. It enables them to participate remotely in university courses, attend online lectures, and engage in direct, interactive communication with lecturers.

At the Europris meeting, plans for the annual conference of the European Association of Training Centers of the Penitentiary System (EPTA) were also discussed. This event is scheduled for September 11-13, 2024, and will be hosted in Tbilisi, under the chairmanship of the Georgian Training Center of Justice.

At the end of the event, a panel discussion featured the participation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Security of the Republic of Korea, and ministers and deputies from various countries.

During the panel discussion, the First Deputy Minister of Justice, Tamar Tkeshelashvili, spoke about the reforms carried out in public administration and gender equality in Georgia. She emphasized the importance of increasing the role of women in the public sector, their involvement in decision-making processes, and Georgia's achievements in this area.

"Empowerment of women is one of the main priorities of the Government of Georgia. As a result of the implemented reforms, 47% of those employed in managerial positions in the public service are women. Additionally, among the employees in the Ministry of Justice, 59% of those in managerial positions are women. The state continues to strengthen the role of women in public service, monitor relevant governmental processes, and promote gender mainstreaming through parliamentary councils," noted Tamar Tkeshelashvili.

The International Public Service Forum was held over three days. The purpose of the forum was to share best practices regarding achievements, challenges, and future prospects in public administration and public service delivery.

The UN Public Services Forum will be held in Georgia in 2026, hosted by the Ministry of Justice.