Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Dimitri Shashkini and Head of Legal Aid Service Irakli Kobidze visited the Legal Aid Bureau in Kutaisi, Imereti Region and observed the working process of public lawyers and consultants employed at bureau. Main topics of discussion were the draft Code of Imprisonment and draft Criminal Procedural Code, which will be the guidelines for Legal Aid Service lawyers from 2010.

Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Dimitri Shashkini visited “KIA Motors Georgia” auto service center. Through the assistance of the National Service of Probation, two probationers have been employed by the “Iberia Business Group”. At the first stage both probationers will have the status of “interns” and get remuneration in the amount of 200 GEL.

With support of the National Service of Non-custodial Punishment and Probation two more probationers were employed in Samegrelo region. Through the mediation of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti regional Probation Bureau two conditional convicts were employed by a building company Ltd. “Makronebi XXI”. At first stage they will be occupied on refurbishment work of Tsaishi public school and will get remuneration in amount of 400 GEL.

Deputy Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance Levan Zarandia opened a new medical unit equipped with modern dentist cabinet. 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.

Today the representative of the European Commission Delegation to Georgia and “Rule of Law” project coordinator Eva Pastrana visited Probation and Legal Aid Bureaus in Gori, Shida Kartli region. The visit was organized within the framework of the initiative of the Ministru of Corrections and Legal Assistance, aimed at ensuring the transparency of the Ministry and giving the opportunity to the Embassies and international institutions to have clear picture of ongoing reforms within the MCLA.

With solicitation of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Probation Bureau 3 probationers were employed by different companies. Agvanz Z. was employed by the building company “Shinaar 2007” Ltd. He will be paid 15 GEL per day. Kimik I. got a job of a worker in “Sapaza Ltd” and his monthly salary will amount to 200 GEL. Ltd “SJG Company” employed Artiush K. who will be paid 350 Gel per month.