FRANCE IS READY TO HELP IMPROVING DETENTION CONDITIONS IN MOLDOVA – LAETICIA CONSTANTINI

France is ready to contribute to improvement of prison conditions in Moldova, as well as to share experience on reintegrating former convicts into society, said Head of the French State Prison Service Laetitia Constantini at the Friday’s press conference on the results of her visit to the Republic of Moldova.

She said that after week-long trip through Moldovan penitentiary institutions, she will prepare a report with recommendations for Moldovan colleagues from the National Probation Inspectorate.

According to Constantini, the application of alternative punishment is a practice which has long and successfully been applied in France.

“Legislations of our countries are commensurate in this sphere, but this is not enough for successful reforming of the practice of applying punishment. Judges must understand how and when to apply the detention, and when – alternative punishment. One more important feature of the probation service activity is the observance of citizens’ rights, regardless of their status of condemned or detained. It is also important to understand that the penitentiary system of each country has its own characteristics. However, France is ready to help Moldovan colleagues”, she said.

Moldovan Minister of Justice Olesea Stamate welcomed the visit of the French official, pointing that besides all Constantini is a judge and is well familiarized with the activity of this state institution.

“We rely on Western partners’ help in strengthening justice system competences. This is necessary for raising the efficiency of institutions which guarantee observance of human rights and the law supremacy in Moldova, in accordance with its liabilities within the republic’s European integration”, the minister said.