Media for Reform: Engaging Public Dialogue on Penitentiary and Probation Systems

Project title: Media for Reform: Engaging Public Dialogue on Penitentiary and Probation Systems

Project funding: European Union

Project implementer: Public Journalism Club

Project partners: Social Justice NGO and Civil Society institute NGO within the scope of the ‘’Justice Reform Monitoring in Armenia’’ (#JUREMONIA www.juremonia.am) project’s sub granting

Duration: February 2025 – June 2025

Budget: €9,000

Project overview

The project aims to advance crucial reforms in Armenia’s penitentiary and probation systems, which are integral to protecting the rights and dignity of individuals in detention and under supervision. The reform efforts in this sector are aligned with Armenia’s National Strategy for Human Rights Protection, which focuses on modernizing the justice system and prioritizing humane treatment and rehabilitation.

To promote these reform initiatives, discussions will be hosted through the Media Center of the Public Journalism Club, that fosters public dialogue on democratic issues, judiciary, and human rights.

The project key areas

• Detention conditions – Addressing overcrowding and inadequate conditions in Armenian prisons, including limited access to basic services and space.
• Parole and reintegration – Reforming parole and reintegration processes to better support prisoners’ return to society, reduce recidivism, and promote restorative justice.
• Probation as an alternative – Expanding the probation system as a viable alternative to incarceration for non-violent offenders to reduce prison overcrowding and support rehabilitation.
• Healthcare in prisons – Ensuring adequate healthcare in penitentiaries, including mental health services, to safeguard prisoners’ rights and promote humane treatment.

Project objectives

• Raise awareness of penitentiary and probation reform issues in Armenia through media content.
• Facilitate dialogue among experts, state representatives, ex-prisoners, and civil society organizations to foster collaborative solutions for reform.
• Generate media content (discussions, reels, documentary) that informs the public, engages stakeholders, and advocates for human rights-compliant reforms in the penitentiary system.

Target audience

• General public – Citizens interested in understanding the reform process and its impact on the Armenian justice system.
• Media professionals and journalists – Those involved in reporting on justice reforms or interested in gaining insights into the penal and probation system.
• Government bodies and reform implementers – Stakeholders engaged in the design and implementation of penitentiary reforms, police, and justice reforms.
• CSOs and reform advocates – Civil society organizations working on justice and human rights, especially those monitoring or advocating for improvements in the penal and probation system.

The project seeks to increase transparency, foster open dialogue, and enable civil society to actively contribute to justice reforms in Armenia. Through a combination of traditional media formats and innovative digital tools, it will engage a broad audience and contribute to evidence-based policymaking.

This page was created and updated within the framework of the project “Justice Reforms Monitoring in Armenia” (JUREMONIA, www.juremonia.am) funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Public Journalism Club and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.