Crisis-ready non-custodial sanctions and measures

Probation agencies and others supporting the use and implementation of non-custodial sanctions and measures have been significantly impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures adopted by criminal justice systems and governments in combatting the spread of the virus in prisons and communities at large. While the focus has often been on mitigating the extreme risk of contagion in detention settings, the adopted emergency and early release measures, broadened use of alternatives to imprisonment and restrictions on movement, in-person meetings and community services has posed challenges to probation work and shifted needs and risks for both probation staff and clients.

Based on research into the use and delivery of alternatives to imprisonment in the EU and the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on probation in Europe, Central Asia and South Caucasus, PRI has developed the 10-point plan for Crisis-ready non-custodial sanctions and measures, a tool that offers probation leadership, practitioners, policy makers and others involved in the delivery of non-custodial sanctions and measures across the world evidence-based and practical guidance on building and strengthening services that are flexible, non-discriminatory and better able to respond to and adapt in the face of crises.

On 20 January 2022, PRI will hold an online event to launch the new 10-point plan, discuss key findings from the conducted research and hear about the experience of non-custodial sanctions during the ongoing pandemic from varied perspectives. Speakers will include representatives of the International Penal and Penitentiary Foundation (IPPF), the Kyrgyz Probation Service, as well as the project research teams.

Register here