Speakers
Yurii Stetsenko
Workshop Session
The Ukrainian penitentiary system, much like the entire nation itself, is currently facing the unprecedented challenges of ongoing war. However, despite these difficulties, the transformative efforts initiated within the system over the past years continue to move forward. This presentation explores the current state of Ukraine’s penitentiary system, highlighting the profound challenges brought about by the war. Among these are the evacuation of thousands of prisoners, the occupation and destruction of prison facilities in Eastern Ukraine, and the severe deterioration of prison conditions. This situation is further exacerbated by acute shortages of energy, heating, water, and essential supplies, especially during winter. Items such as generators, warm clothing, bedding, sanitary supplies, and medical resources are critically lacking.
The war has also compounded the difficulties in treating prisoners with special needs, created extreme and dangerous working conditions for prison staff, and introduced significant mental health challenges for both prisoners and prison professionals. Additionally, the war has disrupted the implementation of crucial rehabilitation programs, further straining efforts to ensure the safety and security of prisoners and the broader population. These unprecedented challenges underscore the urgent need for reform and resilience within Ukraine’s penitentiary system as it navigates this crisis.
In the face of these dark realities, the Ukrainian penitentiary system understands the urgent needs to enhance its crisis preparedness and response capabilities and to facilitate further institutional reforms to align prison legislation and practice with international and European standards. The continued success of these efforts will rely heavily on close partnerships with other like-minded prison services around the world with whom we share a simple message PRISONERS MATTER.
Priority areas of focus: Reform of the Ukrainian penitentiary service to align with international prison standards; Implementation of the strategy for the development of the Ukrainian penitentiary system; Logistical support for the penitentiary system of Ukraine; Management of pilot and priority projects within the penitentiary system.
Areas of expertise: support and implementation of new projects, ensuring transparency in procurement and supply systems, design and construction management, development of the Therapeutic Community project in Ukraine.
PhD, Associate Professor, mediator, trainer. Attorney-at-law. An accomplished legal scholar and practitioner, with authorship of over 160 scientific publications, including educational and methodological materials, as well as draft legislative and regulatory acts.
Priority areas of focus: protection of human rights and freedoms, penitentiary system of Ukraine, public administration, civil service in Ukraine, prosecution (public law), anti-corruption legislation.
Areas of expertise: reform of the penitentiary system, judiciary, prosecution, advocacy, and the Ombudsman institution.