The Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Khatuna Kalmakhelidze, Deputy Miniser Levan Zarandia and Members of Parliament visited the General and Strict Regime Penitentiary Establishment #5 for Women and Juveniles to wish the Happy New Year and gave some New Year presents, sweets and confections to women prisoners with children and juvenile girls.

Standing Commission has discussed solicitation concerning early release of 130 convicts. As a result, Commission regarded expedient to appeal to the Court for early release of 14 convicts. Two of them will be sent to the monasteries for future rehabilitation according to the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Georgian Patriarchate and the Government. As for the rest of the convicts, Commission decided that sentence had not reached its goal yet and they will be able again to appeal to the Court in 6 months.

The Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Khatuna Kalmakhelidze and the Public Defender of Georgia held the first joint meeting and discussed the issues of cooperation. During the meeting at the Office of Public Defender the Minister stated her readiness for collaboration with the Public Defender and expressed her hope for active and constructive work in future. The Minister also noted that she will consider the recommendations provided by the Public Defender to the highest possibility.

Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze started visits at the penitentiary establishments. With this purpose, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze together with the Deputy Minister, Levan Zarandia and the Chairman of the Penitentiary Department visited №2 common and strict regime establishment in Rustavi. Rustavi №2 common and strict regime establishment is in line with the modern standards and consists of four living blocks.

With the purpose of familiarizing with the penitentiary system, Minister of Corrections and legal Assistance, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze held the first meeting with directors of the penitentiary establishments. Minister introduced to them her own priorities and stated that all the ongoing reforms within the penitentiary system should be completed successfully in coordination with them in the shortest terms.

The new Head of the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance Khatuna Kalmakhelidze was presented by the Prime-Minister Nika Gilauri. Before taking over the position of the Minister, Khatuna Kalmakhelidze worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia.