Today, Davit Chakua, Head of the Department of Prisons of the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance, and Johnny Skogstad, Head of the Norwegian Mission of Rule of Law Advisors to Georgia, signed the Grant Agreement. The purpose of the agreement is to build a special unit at the New Establishment of Prison and Common Regime for Women, which will enable the prison authorities to grant mothers and their children conditions for living together.

Submission of application forms for the vacancy of the NGO sector representative in the Standing Commission has started at the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance. NGOs working on human rights protection arec alligible to submit their nomination to the Standing Commision before December 23. A new Standing Commission staffed according to the new rule was created at the begining of September.

The contemporary writer David Gogibedashvili visited the Juvenile Correctional Establishment within the framework of the convicts’ educational reform. Discussion of Georgian and world literature, modern and classic writings, raised a firm interest among the convicts. It should be noted, that modern Georgian writers pay weekly visits to the juvenile prisoners having conversations not only about Georgian and world literature, but other interesting topics as well.

The President of Georgia opened a training base for Rapid Reaction Special Task Unit of the Ministry of Corrections and Legal Assistance in Rustavi. Mikheil Saakashvili observed the barracks, weapon storage area, sport field, library, dining-room and showers at the base. New modern base was built in 3 months by the MCLA funds. The infrastructural improvements and provision with modern equipment amounted 900 thousand GEL.

Extraordinary Session of Standing Commission has discussed solicitation concerning early release of 146 convicts. As a result, Commission regarded expedient to appeal to the Court for early release of 71 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.

The executorial Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Koka Seperteladze opened the new Medical unit equipped with dentist cabinet in Ortachala Prison №1. All the expenditures related to providing all the necessary technical equipment and medicines for the medical unit were covered by the MCLA and is in compliance with international standards.