A COMPETITION IS BEING HELD

The international organization with consultative status (Category II) at the UN and the Council of Europe, “Penal Reform International”, jointly with the Centre for Legal Assistance to the Population “Public Defender”, announces a competition for participation in the programme “Development of the System of Public Control in Ukraine”.

Representatives of public organizations, supervisory commissions, and public councils under state authorities and local self-government bodies who wish to participate in trainings and practical internships in Ukraine and abroad (Republic of Kazakhstan, Ireland) in order to improve skills in exercising public control over the observance of human rights in penitentiary institutions are invited to participate in the competition.

The competition period is from 25 June to 15 September 2008.

Competition selection criteria:
- justification of motivation for participation in the programme;
- membership in a public organization, supervisory commission, or public council;
- experience of social work with offenders;
- experience of human rights work;
- personal experience of visiting institutions of the criminal executive system.

Competition procedure
Until 15 September 2008, information will be collected from competition participants via the email address [email protected]

In the period from 15 to 30 September 2008, the competition committee will select candidates for participation in the programme. The results of the competition will be announced on 30 September 2008.

Essays from participants, with a volume of no more than 2 pages of text in 12-point Word editor format, are accepted for the competition. The essay must contain a description of the participant's experience in visiting institutions of the criminal executive system in the period from 01 January 2007 to 25 June 2008.

When selecting applicants, the following is taken into account:
 the number of visits made to institutions of the criminal executive system;
 a description of identified legal violations and measures taken to stop them;
 a description of achievements in resolving conflict situations, effectiveness of providing assistance to prisoners and staff.