This evaluation report relates to Penal Reform International’s 2.5-year project for penal reform in Ukraine, using a grant from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and working alongside local partner organisations: the Bila Tzerkva Training School (BZTS); the Centre for Judicial Studies (CJS); and the Women’s Information Consultative Centre (WICC).
The aim of the project was to encourage reform of the penitentiary system of Ukraine, in line with international standards of good practice, so it can deliver justice to and protect the human rights of detained persons on principles of equal rights and opportunities for women, men and children.
The programme had three main objectives:
1. To establish an effective and sustainable Centre of Competence (CC) at the BZTS to support a programme of sustainable penal reform through research, development and training;
2. To protect and improve human rights for vulnerable groups of prisoners, notably pre-trial detainees, women and children, and prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, in line with international and regional standards and good prison practice;
3. To raise awareness and knowledge of reform and good practice throughout the Ukrainian justice system and the wider public.
The evaluation asesses the project results based on relevance, efficency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability.