Give me another chance

Ensuring the reintegration and resocialization of a person who has committed a crime in society is at the core of the problems of the criminal legislation of the Republic of Armenia. But these problems are an «open wound», and why is it not overcome? the experience.

There is a clear path to resocialize a person sentenced to prison and released after serving the sentence, who has a big dream of returning to society and family. After the punishment, the person returns to the society, with the support of the state, he acquires skills to join the labor market, with the skills he has, he receives a job offer, with the mandatory requirement and supervision of the state. This is the advanced and proven model of the person’s resocialization.

The RA Penal Code provides for cooperation with the administration of the penitentiary and state and local self-government bodies, public and other organizations on issues of social rehabilitation of the convict.

No later than six months before the end of the prison term, the administration of the penitentiary informs the local self-government body of the convict’s chosen place of residence about the convict’s upcoming release date, his ability to work, education, profession, as well as the availability of the place of residence, the convict is notified in writing and individually. about the right to be included in professional training programs and presents the professional training programs provided for by the «Employment» law, as well as transmits his data in accordance with the law authorized body in order to register them as jobseekers and enroll them in vocational training programs.

Another positive approach. At least 10 days before release from punishment, a one-time financial aid of AMD 100,000 may be provided to the convict based on the reasoned decision of the head of the penitentiary.

In order to overcome the housing problem, it is planned to provide 50,000 drams of support for a period of 6 months to those who have returned after serving their sentence. With this step, the state is trying to prevent people who have been released after serving their sentence, but who have become homeless, from the vicious thought that they may return to prison. : It refers to the so-called «social crimes» known in Armenian reality, when a person remains after serving the sentence in the homeless status because he does not have a home, or because his family does not accept him, which is why he sees the only way out is to commit a repeat crime, in order to be arrested again, then sentenced to prison and thus «take care» of his residence through the state. And in cases of social crimes, also repeat crimes the number, according to statistics, is alarming.

The above actions are, of course, a positive step in the process of ensuring a person’s resocialization, but they are partial and do not contain follow-up mechanisms.

The state should show more consistency and seriousness in professional orientation, training, acquisition of skills, as well as involvement in the labor market of a person released from serving a sentence, because by keeping a person away from recidivism, one step is taken towards a safe environment, and by resocializing a person, a prosperous society.

Funded by the Federal Office of Foreign Affairs.

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