The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is extending practical support to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine by providing vital technical equipment. The handover of 20 laptops and 20 printers took place on 21 June 2024, during a meeting between Ms. Harsheth Virk, Head of the UNODC Programme Office for Ukraine, and Ms. Olena Vysotska, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine.
The provision of the IT equipment is part of the ongoing PACE.UA Programme implemented by UNODC with the financial support of the Federal Government of Germany. The programme aims to strengthen the effectiveness, crisis preparedness and response capacity of the penitentiary system of Ukraine while, at the same time, fostering its compliance with international and European prison standards.
This equipment will be distributed among the Ministry of Justice, the Department for the Execution of Criminal Punishments, and three designated pilot penal institutions. By supporting the implementation of the Strategy for the Penitentiary System Reform until 2026, this initiative will enhance not only the technical capacities of the recipients but also contribute to strengthening the State Penitentiary Service’s ability to prevent or quickly respond to ongoing or potential future disruptions and other emergency needs in prisons.
At a formal handover ceremony, Ms. Harsheth Virk noted that "UNODC provides and will provide in the future expertise on the implementation of the international prison standards. However, we also recognize that translating these standards into concrete practices requires practical tools, especially under current extreme conditions. We endeavor to provide the necessary practical tools to support your work".
Ms. Olena Vysotska noted that the State Penitentiary Service remains committed to its partnership with UNODC and to the reforms aimed at further strengthening the crisis preparedness and response capacity of penitentiary service of Ukraine, along with enhancing professionalism and effectiveness and ensuring human rights compliance.
UNODC and the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine agreed on further steps in implementing the PACE.UA Programme. This includes organizing a practical event in July 2024 aimed at enhancing collaboration with external stakeholders in the implementation of the Nelson Mandela Rules.
Read our other webstory on PACE.UA
