In Kyrgyzstan, the Department of Probation plans to initiate the state social procurement mechanism for services provided to the imprisoned individuals. This initiative aims to expand the funding for healthcare services in the penitentiary system and improve their quality for probation clients.
Within the framework of state social procurement, the Department of Probation will engage NGOs to provide assistance to probation clients in various areas, including:
- Assistance in employment and vocational activities for probation clients
- Referral to rehabilitation centers
- Provision of legal aid
- Support in accessing social assistance
- Enrollment in social security and healthcare systems
- Reintegration and formation of beneficial social connections
- Support in accessing medical services
- Mediation with victims
The listed services will be provided by the public sector through state financing. The work on establishing the mechanism of state social procurement (SSP) in Kyrgyzstan’s probation system began in 2022. A working group was created to develop the necessary package of documents for this mechanism. The representative of the EMRHP’s partner organization the Partnership Network Assosiation also joined this working group.
Through the work of this group:
- The needs and requirements of probation clients were assessed
- Minimum service standards for probation clients within the implementation of state social procurement were developed
- Priority directions for the SSP program were selected
Based on the working group’s efforts, the package of documents was finalized and submitted for approval to the Ministry of Justice. The relevant decree from the Ministry of Justice is expected to be issued by the end of 2023.