Suren Krmoyan: All steps to be taken in 2015 to launch the probation service

It is planned to introduce the State Probation Service in Armenia by late 2016. Deputy Justice Minister of Armenia Suren Krmoyan answered Pastinfo news agency’s questions regarding the Probation Service.

- Mr. Krmoyan, discussions on the introduction of the Probation Service are being held. When will we see a concrete picture, at least at the level of legislative acts? When will it become clear what kind of probation service we are going to have?

- Indeed, it is time to take practical steps. Last year we held many discussions about the introduction of a probation service. We have already submitted the concept on the introduction of the probation service to the government. We hope the government will approve it as a protocol decision that will become a guideline for Justice Ministry and law enforcement bodies.

Besides, we developed respective legislative acts, in particular acts on amendments to Armenia’s Criminal Code, the Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure. This will enable to introduce the Probation Service and administer alternative forms of punishment as part of the Probation Service. The Law on Probation Service is being drafted now. We hope to submit the bill to the National Assembly for discussion in April. 
We plan to implement pilot programs in two Armenian provinces: we will attempt to introduce and operate the Probation Service under such pilot programs before launching it throughout the country. This year we should take all the necessary practical and legislative steps aimed at launching the Service.

- There is concern that legal awareness of our society is not yet ready to accept the idea of the probation service.  Many believe that if a person committed crime, they must undergo punishment in a place of imprisonment. The aggrieved parties also demand similar measures from the legal system. Aren’t you concerned that the Probation Service will meet with a hostile reception?

- Such concerns were voiced and we admit that the service’s introduction may not be accepted easily by the population as well as executors of the Probation Service. The point is part of the staff will be recruited from units on the enforcement of alternative punishments of the penitentiary service. Prior to launching the Probation Service, we will conduct a campaign so as to inform citizens and our employees about its advantages.

I should say that the Probation Service is advantageous to both the aggrieved party and the offender as it promotes reconciliation of the sides and helps solve problems of the aggrieved party more rapidly and efficiently. I think that under this system, the interests of an aggrieved party are taken into account more than under the system currently in force.