Previous Article
News
Probation Service Georgia brings offenders in contact with family members via video conference service
It is important for inmates to maintain contact with family members, but if an inmate is placed in a prison on the other side of the country, it can be too expensive for the family members to visit them. The National Probation Service Georgia found the solution for this problem. Together with the prison departement, they set up a video conference service for prisoners. Since 2011 inmates can video call with friends, family members or relatives, if they are not in the position to visit them in person. Irakli Chitanava, Deputy Head of the National Probation Service, explains how the system works.
When the video conference service was introduced, it was only available in several regions in Georgia. Now, 7 years later, inmates from almost all the regions in Georgia can use the service. At first users needed to pay small fee was asked for the use of video conferencing, but since 2016 the service is free of charge.
The role of the National Probation Service
The National Probation Service Georgia is the one responsible for managing the applications and schedules for video conference sessions, says Irakli Chitanava. “Persons who are willing to make use of the video conference service, should submit their application seven days in advance of the call. They can use the service once every ten days and the duration of the call is 15 minutes.” Inmates are not in the position to apply for a video conference themselves. The service is not available for everyone. “Offenders who have committed a major serious crime are not allowed to use video conferencing.”
Users
Irakli Chitanava explains that anyone that wants to talk to an inmate, can apply for the service, but it is mostly used by family members, relatives or friends that cannot visit them in prison due to a lack of financial resources. “In many cases, the offender is located in an establishment on the other side of the country and his or her family members or friends live far from the establishment, therefore the contact between them requires expenses, which the offender’s family can’t afford.”
In Georgia the circle of persons that are allowed to visit an offender in prison is very restricted. Only family members that have the right documents to prove they are relatives can visit their family member in prison. The video conference service also made it possible for friends and others persons to talk to a prisoner.
Related News
Keep up to date with the latest developments, stories, and updates on probation from across Europe and beyond. Find relevant news and insights shaping the field today.
Recap
CEP-Europris, Probation in Europe
Recap of CEP and EuroPris Meeting with Catalan Authorities
04/12/2025
On 3 December, on the occasion of the joint CEP and EuroPris Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation held at the Centre for Legal Studies and Judicial Training (CEJFE) in Barcelona, representatives from both international organisations met with senior officials from the Catalan Ministry of Justice to present their current work, reflect on ongoing cooperation, and explore shared priorities for future collaboration.
Recap
CEP-Europris
Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control
03/12/2025
On 2–3 December 2025, 71 participants from 22 European countries and jurisdictions attended the Workshop on Transition from Prison to Probation: Continuity of Care and Control, jointly organized by CEP and EuroPris. The two-day workshop aimed to explore strategies for ensuring continuity of care and control during the transition from prison to probation.
Recap
Research
Recap: online Expert Group meeting on Research
02/12/2025
On Friday, 28 November 2025, the annual meeting of the Expert Group on Research took place online.
Probation Journal
Domestic violence, Gender-based violence
New evaluation on whole family approach to domestic abuse
26/11/2025
Interventions Alliance has published a new evaluation of a Hub coordinated on behalf of police forces in the south of England, focused on tackling violence against women and children through a whole family approach. The Hub supports victims and perpetrators of domestic abuse and works across policing, health and social services.
New
Probation in Europe
New EU Judicial Training Strategy 2025-2030 adopted
26/11/2025
New updates from the European Commission highlight key priorities for judicial training in Europe, alongside new tools supporting transparency and access to data.
New
Gender-based violence
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls
25/11/2025
Today, 25 November, marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls. It is a global reminder, recognised by UNESCO and the wider international community, of the urgent need to prevent violence, support those affected by it, and strengthen collective action. The day also opens the 16 Days of Activism, a worldwide campaign that calls for sustained engagement to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!
- Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.