OSCE co-organizes roundtable on re-socialization strategy for former prisoners in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 6 September 2016 – An OSCE-supported roundtable dedicated to the strengthening of re-socialization of former prisoners took place today in Astana, bringing together some 40 high-level government officials, international experts, legal scholars and members of civil society.

A strategy for the social rehabilitation of former prisoners drafted in line with the national plan “100 Concrete Steps to Implement Five Institutional Reforms” was presented at the event organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Penal Committee of the Interior Ministry, the Mazhilis (lower house) of the Parliament and Penal Reform International.

National and international legal experts discussed current trends and challenges on social rehabilitation of prisoners, shared international best practices and examined ways to improve the draft strategy to build an effective system of social rehabilitation for former convicts.

“We are ready to further support a dialogue and co-operation between law-enforcement, civil society and the public at large on the modernization of the penitentiary system by promoting international human rights standards and building the capacity of local authorities and civil society,” said György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.

“The adoption of the comprehensive re-socialization strategy and creation of an effective rehabilitation system will help former prisoners find employment, cope with daily challenges and ultimately prevent recidivism,” said Rashid Zhakupov, Deputy Interior Minister.

The roundtable discussion was part of the Office’s continuous engagement in legislative and policy development processes to promote an effective system of social rehabilitation for former prisoners and constitutes a follow-up to last year’s Third Prison Forum dedicated to the re-socialization of convicts.