On September 5th 2018, a reporter from Magnolia-TV in Ukraine interviewed CILC project manager Lino Brosius about the Dutch-Ukrainian Matra project on probation and alternative sanctions, the role of probation in the criminal justice system, and the benefits of non-custodial sanctions.
The interview with Lino is part of a TV documentary on probation in Ukraine that was broadcasted on National TV on 8 September 2018. Other interviewees were the Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, the Director of the Ukrainian Center of Probation, several Ukrainian probation officers and a probation client.
The TV documentary is part of a campaign of the Ukrainian Center of Probation – one of the beneficiaries of the Matra project – aimed at raising awareness among the general public in Ukraine about probation and alternative sanctions.
In the interview Lino speaks about the objective of the Matra project and the way it links Dutch and Ukrainian prosecutors, judges and probation officers. The CILC project manager also mentions that the concept of probation is a strong concept that has proven its value in many countries in the world.
“In the Netherlands, probation is a part of the criminal justice system that is widely supported, both by the public and legal professionals.” Asked about the benefits of probation and alternative sanctions compared to custodial sanctions, CILC’s project manager explained that punishment alone often does not help. “Non-custodial sentences offer greater opportunities to influence and assist offenders, who can benefit from the combination of punishment, guidance and support that the probation service provides. Probation contributes to a safer society, and non-custodial sanctions are less expensive and more effective in preventing reoffending.”
The Dutch-Ukrainian Matra project on probation and alternative sanctions is funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It aims to make the probation system In Ukraine operational and effective, by:
- Strengthening the capacity of the probation service to deliver a quality probation output
- Promoting the use of alternatives for incarceration
- Increased support for probation and alternative sanctions among citizens