Technical Assistance Projects

Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary

One of the criteria to become a member of the European Union (EU) is the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for, and protection of, minorities. Having been directed to make certain improvements to their criminal justice systems in order to join the EU, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary called upon Canada for assistance.

In April 2002, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) was invited to participate, in partnership with the Canadian Department of Justice International Cooperation Group, in the Central Europe Justice Cooperation Project to aid in reforming and improving the correctional practices of these countries. The multilateral project, funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), builds on the genuine interest of Central European countries to exchange ideas internationally in order to create a more effective correctional system. While these countries are working with correctional experts from other countries, there is clear interest in working with Canadians in a number of areas, including conditional release and restorative justice.

Through a continuous series of study visits during the years 2002-2005 that were hosted in both jurisdictions, the mandate of the project was met.

Although the project, as developed, is now complete, there were indications that Canadian expertise may be solicited in the future in relation to staff training, dealing with minorities, program development and delivery, program standards, risk assessment, building relationship with the institutions, and community engagement.

Please visit our Articles and Related Media page to view published articles on CSC's work on the Central Europe Justice Reform project.

Hungary

Czech Republic

Slovakia