The official opening of the EU Twinning project Strengthening of the penitentiary system and the probation service took place in Skopje on 21 November 2018. Macedonian high level officials, the German-Dutch project team and Embassy representatives of both EU Member States spoke of the relevance to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the prison system, and the need to make probation operational.
As junior EU Member State partner, CILC will focus in this project on prison management procedures and supervision and surveillance systems. In the field of probation, the Dutch expertise will include the implementation of a risk assessment instrument, as well as the design of a human resources strategy and a performance management system. For this, CILC will work in close collaboration with the Dutch Probation Service and the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency.
CILC has a strong track record on introducing and strengthening probation systems in the region. The CILC staff and its team of experts believe that both society and individual offenders benefit from probation sanctions and measures. For society, these sanctions are less expensive and more effective in reducing recidivism. And for many offenders, the combination of punishment, guidance and support that probation services offer works well to get their lives back on track.
For more information about the Twinning project, please visit the project page or contact the junior member state project leader Willem van Nieuwkerk.