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OSCE Centre organizes study visit to Netherlands on legislation of probation

28 October 2014

The OSCE Centre in Astana and the Legislative and Judicial Reform Committee of the Mazhilis (lower chamber of the Parliament) with support of the Penal Reform International Office in Central Asia and Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry co-organized a study visit to Netherlands from 23 to 28 October 2014.

Parliamentarians and high-level officials from the Prosecutor General’s Office and the Criminal-Executive Committee of the Interior Ministry learned about the application of the probation service in Netherlands.

They met with officials from the Justice Ministry’s Inspectorate of Security, the Probation Service Department for the implementation of community service, the Offices of the European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services and the Confederation of European Probation. They were introduced to the probation service’s structure and management, measures related to improving probationary control, including interaction with local executive bodies and organizations providing social and legal assistance. They also discussed co-operation between Kazakhstan and Netherlands in the field of public safety and security.

Particular attention was paid to the role and methods of the probation service in preventing crime and reducing the risk of re-offending, such as community service for adults as an alternative to custodial sentences, a system of electronic monitoring and practical as well as psychological help with a strong emphasis on the offenders’ reintegration into society.

The delegation met with the members of the Senate of the Dutch Parliament as well as participated in the monitoring visit to prison and remand house for men and women in Zwolle, where they were introduced to the practical aspects of the labour section work for offenders as part of a regional Penitentiary Psychiatric Centre.

This visit is part of the Centre’s efforts to support Kazakhstan’s authorities and non-governmental organizations in the criminal justice reform process.