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Juvenile Prisoners Get Presents

October 13, 2005

Juvenile Prisoners Get Presents

The inmates of the Juvenile Prison in Avchala have started their study-year in reconstructed classrooms and with new books and sports gear. On the 10th of October, within the framework of the project "Support to the Reform of Administration of Juvenile Justice in Georgia" and with the financial assistance of UNICEF, the Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre (HRIDC) officially handed over these presents to the young inmates.

Apart from the representatives of the HRIDC and UNICEF, the Minister of Justice Constantine Kemularia the head of the Department of the Reform and Monitoring of the Justice System Mr. Michael Gurtskaia and representatives of the Georgian media attended the ceremony.

Among the donations, there were books for the 6th to the 11th study years and various kinds of sports gear. 

Mr. Constantine Kemularia, the Minister of Justice of Georgia, and the director of the prison made several comments about the event. "All the conditions for normal life in the juvenile prison are present. What the inmates lacked were educational materials – this is exactly what they have received today with the help of the Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre. To integrate juvenile delinquents into normal social life is one of our most important tasks,"- said Kemularia.

The HRIDC, with the financial support of UNICEF, is implementing the project “Support to the Reform of Administration of Juvenile Justice in Georgia”. The project aims to defend the rights of juvenile prisoners and to support them in the re-socialization and rehabilitation processes. Within the framework of the project, trainings for social workers, judges and prosecutors, police officers, representatives of the prison administration and for the juvenile inmates themselves will be held.

As a result of the teamwork between UNICEF, HRIDC and the Tbilisi Municipality, the first Crisis Intervention Centre (CIC) opened, where free legal and psychological assistance is to be provided on issues concerning children. The support centers will soon be opened in the police departments of the Didube-Chughureti district.

As the lawyer-trainer of the project Nino Togonidze explained, the Center for Crisis Intervention will be the first body where people can appeal for the help of social workers.

Representatives of the HRIDC are preparing recommendations on the envisioned legal amendments in the fields of children’s rights and the Juvenile Court Model in Georgia. The results will be offered to Parliament for discussion.

The Human Rights Information and Documentation Centre also intends to create English language, computer and carpentry courses in the Juvenile Prison. 

Natalie Giorgadze

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