Skopje, 21 November 2025 (MIA) - Idrizovo Prison, the largest penitentiary facility in North Macedonia, now has a dedicated children’s corner for young visitors and the families of inmates. Located in the visitors’ area, the children’s corner provides a safe and welcoming environment during family visits. Representatives of public authorities, the European Union Delegation and the Council of Europe attended the inauguration ceremony at Idrizovo Prison on Friday. 

The Head of the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, Aleksandar Pandov, highlighted the importance of this corner in the resocialization process – particularly given that Idrizovo is the only prison where women serve their sentence. 

"The real benefits of this donation are far greater than its financial value," said Pandov, thanking the EU and the Council of Europe for the continuous support. 

Ben Nupnau, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to North Macedonia, mentioned the latest European Commission Report on the country, which points to the persistent need to improve the conditions in prisons, especially in Idrizovo Prison, the Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje said in a press release. 

"Improving conditions in prisons is not only a requirement highlighted in this year’s European Commission Report. It is a responsibility the country owes to every person who enters these facilities, including children. This new corner is a small but meaningful step toward a more humane system, one that protects dignity and makes family visits safer and easier. We hope it will encourage continued efforts to raise standards across all penitentiary institutions," said Nupnau.

Donche Boshkovski, Head of Unit - Division of Cooperation in Police and Deprivation of Liberty at the Council of Europe, expressed hope that this children’s corner will replicate the success seen so far in the other facilities already equipped across the country.

"This initiative reflects the commitment of the authorities to implement the Recommendation of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in 2018, addressing the needs of the children with imprisoned parents," said Boshkovski. 

The children’s corner in Idrizovo Prison is the fourth of this kind in the country, following those previously opened in the prisons in Shtip, Prilep, and Kumanovo, all of which have been equipped with the support of the European Union and the Council of Europe.

In over a decade, the European Union and the Council of Europe have been working closely with North Macedonia’s prison authorities to improve the treatment and rehabilitation of inmates in penitentiary facilities in line with European standards and best practices. Strengthening health care in prisons and supporting the work of External Oversight Mechanism over persons entrusted with police powers should continue to be a priority, reads the press release.

This initiative is conducted under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme "Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye", and its action "Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia", in close co-operation with the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, and the Idrizovo Prison, which contributed by artistically painting the children’s corner and refurbishing the space.

Photo: Council of Europe Programme Office in Skopje