NEWS ARCHIVE (2012 - 2013)

  

UNODC PUBLISHES NEW TRAINING MODULE ON PRISON SECURITY

In order to facilitate skills development in the area of prison security, UNODC recently completed a new training module on Managing Prison Security and Intelligence. In November 2013, copies of the new manual were handed over to the Training Centre of the Prison Service and the Training Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (20 copies), which train prison staff and prepare new recruits for service in the penitentiary system.

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EU AND UNODC COMPLETE PRISON REFORM PROJECT

In June 2013, the European Union and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime completed the project "Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic". A documentary on the challenges faced by the Kyrgyz prison system and the impact of the project can be viewed here.

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EFFECTIVE PARTNERSHIP PROMOTES PRISON REFORM IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

The Final Conference of the EU/UNODC project "Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic" took place on 22 and 23 May 2013 in Bishkek. Project achievements were presented and evaluated by national and international partners during the event.

Press Release (PDF)

Final Conference Report (PDF)

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NEW MANUAL SUPPORTS INSTITUTIONALISATION OF PRISON STAFF TRAINING

A new training manual for prison staff has been presented at the Training Centre of the Prison Service. The training manual has been developed within the framework of the EU/UNODC Project "Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic" to support implementation of the Prison Service's training policy and curriculum for the period of 2011-2015.

Press Release (PDF)

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OPEN-TYPE PRISON STARTS BARBED WIRE PRODUCTION

The Kyrgyz Prison Service has launched a new production site at open-type prison No. 48 in the village of Moldovanovka. Based on a business plan approved by the Expert Group on prison income generating activities within the framework of the EU/UNODC project "Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic", the production of barbed wire has started at this prison employing 7 offenders. On 12 April 2013, the new facility was officially opened. On this occasion, the EU/UNODC project provided the Prison Service with a delivery van worth 699,266 Kyrgyz Som to facilitate further business development in this open-type prison.

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EU/UNODC PRISON REFORM PROJECT PROVIDES MIA ACADEMY AND AGENCY FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING WITH PUBLICATIONS AND STATIONARY

On 11 April 2013, the EU/UNODC project "Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic" handed over a total of 420 copies of 9 different publications to the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The publications on a range of issues related to prison management will be used by the Academy's Department on Prison Studies, which prepares new recruits for service in the penitentiary system. In parallel, the Agency for Vocational Training under the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment received 300 notebooks and 300 pens for use in prison schools.

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COORDINATION COUNCIL DISCUSSES HEALTH CARE AND REFORM OF OPEN TYPE PRISONS

On 28 March 2013, the Coordination Council on Prison Reform gathered for its first meeting of the year. Main topics for discussion were the provision of health care in Kyrgyzstan's prisons and the situation in open-type prisons.

Media coverage (Russian)

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KYRGYZ DRUG CONTROL AND PRISON SERVICES START IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT STAFF TRAINING PLAN

In March 2013, the State Service on Drug Control and the State Service on Execution of Punishments approved a joint staff training plan with a schedule for the organisation of at least 7 training courses for a total of 150 prison and drug control staff. On 28 and 29 March 2013, the two first training sessions were held for prison staff on controlled drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors. 20 prison officers with responsibility for intelligence gathering and 20 officers with responsibility for maintaining order in prisons were trained at the Prison Service's Training Centre by experts from the State Service on Drug Control.

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EU/UNODC PRISON REFORM PROJECT COMPLETES PRISON REFURBISHMENT

The EU/UNODC project 'Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic' has completed the reconstruction and renovation of bath and laundry facilities in four Kyrgyz prisons. Following handover ceremonies in prison No. 1 and 47 in December 2012, and in Prison No. 16 in January 2013, the renovated bath and laundry facility in Prison No. 8 was opened on 20 March 2013.

Media coverage (Russian)

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KYRGYZ DRUG CONTROL AND PRISON SERVICES SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT

On 25 December 2012, the State Drug Control Service and Prison Service of the Kyrgyz Republic signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). The aim of the MoU is to strengthen interagency cooperation in the fight against illicit trafficking and use of drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in the penitentiary system of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Press Release (PDF)

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SANITARY CONDITIONS FOR NEARLY 3,000 PRISONERS IMPROVED IN KYRGYZSTAN

On 19 and 20 December 2012, opening ceremonies took place of new bath and laundry facilities in prisons No. 1 and 47. The construction and renovation work has been completed with financial assistance provided by the European Union within the framework of the EU/UNODC project 'Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic'. With these new facilities, the Prison Service will be able to provide 2,777 prisoners with better sanitary conditions.

Press Release (PDF)

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Juvenile and Women's Colonies in Kyrgyzstan

Article published by: Freedom House (November 2012)

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"When I get out I will work as a seamstress" - Spotlight on Prisoner Employment and Social Reintegration in the Kyrgyz Republic

Article published by: UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (September 2012)

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MODERNIZED BAKERY TO BOOST BREAD PRODUCTION IN KYRGYZ PRISON SYSTEM

The Kyrgyz Prison Service has opened a newly renovated bakery in Prison No. 3 in Novo Pokrovka village outside Bishkek. With this modernized bakery, the Prison Service will be able to provide bread for nearly 1,000 prisoners housed in this colony.

Press Release (PDF)

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PRODUCTION OF SOYA MILK, BREAD AND TEXTILES STARTS IN KYRGYZ PRISONS

On 18 July 2012, the Kyrgyz Prison Service launched a series of new income generating activities in two of its prisons. With the support of the EU/UNODC project 'Support to prison reform in the Kyrgyz Republic', a soya milk production line and a sowing workshop have been established in Prison No.2.

Press Release (PDF)

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KYRGYZ PUBLIC TV CHANNEL OTRK BROADCAST ON LAUNCH OF INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES

Date: July 2012 (Language: Kyrgyz)

Location: Female Prison No. 2, Stepnoe Village

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Through the lens - Life in a Kyrgyz prison

Article published by: UNODC (June 2012)

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KYRGYZ PRISON STAFF TRAINED ON MANAGEMENT OF INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES

Staff from two Kyrgyz prison colonies gained practical knowledge and skills on the management of income generating activities in prisons during a seminar held in Bishkek from 5 to 7 June 2012. The aim of the seminar was to support efforts under way to establish facilities for the production of bread and textile in selected prisons within the framework of the EU/UNODC project 'Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic'.

Press Release (PDF)

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KYRGYZ GOVERNMENT ADOPTS NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY ON PENAL REFORM

On 15 May 2012, the Government of Kyrgyzstan adopted a new National Strategy on the Development of the Penitentiary System in the Kyrgyz Republic. This strategy, covering the period from 2012 to 2016, aims to improve prison conditions and promote social reintegration of detainees. Consultations on the new strategy were facilitated by the EU/UNODC project 'Support to Prison Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic'.

Press Release (PDF) / Text of the Strategy (PDF )

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PRESS CONFERENCE - PRESENTATION OF THE NEW NATIONAL STRATEGY ON PENAL REFORM (May 2012, in Russian)

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

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'PARALLEL' - FIRST PHOTO EXHIBITION ON PRISONERS AND PRISON STAFF IN KYRGYZSTAN

From 23 to 27 April 2012, a photo exhibition on prisoners and prison staff in the penitentiary facilities of the Kyrgyz Republic was held at the Vienna International Centre in Austria. Based on visits to prisons by three photographers - Alessandro Scotti (member of the International Association of Photographers and former UNODC Goodwill Ambassador; Alimjan Zhorobaev (Kyrgyzstan) and Maxim Shubovich (Kyrgyzstan) - the exhibition gives a unique insight into the ordinary life of prisoners and staff in Kyrgyz prisons.

'Parallel' Exhibition Flyer (PDF) / Times of Central Asia Supplement / A Selection of Photos from the Exhibition (PDF)