Skip to content
Back to news

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.

New

CEP

Newsletter October 2026 out now

29/10/2026

New

Violent Extremism

Understanding Youth Radicalisation: What Can Probation Services Do? | New Report from CEP’s Expert Group

27/10/2026

In recent decades, the violent radicalisation of juveniles and young adults has become a pressing concern for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and communities worldwide. While considerable attention has been devoted to psychological vulnerabilities, socio-economic marginalisation, and community-level influences, the broader context in which violent radicalisation develops is often overlooked. At the same time, the increasing involvement of young people in violent extremist offences highlights the urgent need for effective prevention efforts. Addressing youth radicalisation has become a complex and evolving challenge for families, educators, mental health professionals, law enforcement agencies, probation services, and security authorities.

Recap

Probation in Europe

Reflections on the European Society of Criminology Conference 2026 | From Criminological Research to Probation Practice

26/10/2026

At CEP, we are fascinated by research from across Europe and beyond, and by helping it reach the people who can use it. Ruth Armstrong, CEP Research and Policy Officer, went to the 26th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology (EuroCrim 2026 – Working Group on Community Sanctions and Measures) that took place in Warsaw, Poland, from 9–12 September 2026.

Against a backdrop of overcrowded prisons and net-widening (with ever more people drawn into supervision), three questions kept coming up in the research: how time shapes justice, what we mean by success, and how we define harm.

New

Technology

Registration deadline approaching: Join CEP’s final workshop of 2026 on technology in probation

22/10/2026

📢 Have you registered yet? CEP’s final workshop of 2026 takes place on 24 November in Barcelona, bringing together professionals to explore how technology is being used across probation services in Europe.

The Workshop on Alternatives to Detention and Technologies: Deep Diving into New Trends will look beyond artificial intelligence to examine the different ways technology is shaping probation practice, from staff training to working with clients and collaborating with other criminal justice partners.

Recap

Directors General Meetings

CEP Leadership Excellence Training: strengthening leadership and cooperation across Europe

22/10/2026

The CEP Leadership Excellence Training, held on 20–21 October in Zagreb, Croatia, brought together Directors General and senior probation managers from 11 European countries for a two-day interactive programme focused on leadership, communication, staff development, and international cooperation.

New

CEP

Call for Proposals: Evaluation of CEP Expert Groups

21/10/2026

On behalf of Ms. Jana Špero Kamenjarin, CEP Secretary General, it is my pleasure to invite you to submit a proposal to conduct an evaluation within the CEP work programme.

Subscribe to our bi-monthly email newsletter!

  • Keep up to date with important probation developments and insights.