Skopje, 3 November 2021 (MIA) – The new National Strategy for Development of the Penitentiary System in the Republic of North Macedonia (2021-2025) will focus on 12 strategic goals, Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions representative Kristina Trajkovikj said Wednesday during the presentation of the strategy. She underlined that some of the goals are copied from the previous strategy, which has been partly implemented. Each strategic goal, according to Trajkovikj, entails several activities. The first is aimed at improving material conditions within the penitentiary system, followed by strengthening management and monitoring capacities, etc. “Ensuring the safety of prisoners and personnel is also part of the 12 strategic goals, as is enhancing the process of re-socialization and reintegration of convicts, as well as post-prison care. Improving treatment of children at juvenile detention centers and corporate integrity, strengthening mechanisms for management of corruption, ensuring health protection and education of convicts are also part of the strategy,” Trajkovikj said. She added that addressing radicalization which leads to violent extremism is included in the strategy, stressing that the Directorate is implementing a separate action plan regarding this issue. Marjan Spasovski, head of the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, told reporters that compared to the previous strategy, concrete steps have been taken, especially in regard to fight against corruption, by preparing an action plan. “The Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions has signed a memorandum with the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption and is actively working on fight against corruption. We’re now more open and transparent and fight against corruption is now one of the Directorate’s top priorities,” Spasovski said. Moreover, he told the presentation that the second National Strategy for Development of the Penitentiary System will ensure promotion of the already existing system for execution of sanctions and ensure successful re-socialization and social adaptation of convicts, providing them with opportunities to rejoin society and the best prospects for independent life. Deputy Justice Minister Agim Nuhiu said on Wednesday that North Macedonia’s penitentiary system has launched crucial processes in the past few years. “We focused on improving conditions at prisons. I’m especially proud of results in the Tetovo-based institution, which is now one of the best institutions for minors in the region. Our goal is to have it be an example for the rest of the penitentiaries nationwide,” Nuhiu noted. Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in Skopje Julian Vassallo also addressed Wednesday’s presentation. “Imprisonment is one of the ways the state can exercise most power and therefore should be based on respect for rule of law and human rights. Conditions in Macedonian prisons remain so bad that they can be deemed torturous, according to the Committee for the Prevention of Torture. However, efforts are being made to improve the situation, through EU-funded projects for restoring facilities,” Vassallo said. He added that the EU has been assisting North Macedonia in implementation of penitentiary system reform and supporting probation services. Recently six penitentiary institutions in the country were provided with medical equipment, a donation standing at EUR 54,801.