Assistance to improve social services in justice system

TIRANA, Feb. 5 – The development of a new interdisciplinary advanced programme of studies, with the goal of improving the standards of social services in general and in particular of those offered by the justice system, was discussed at a roundtable meeting organized by the OSCE Presence in Albania on Monday.
The Masters degree in Administration of Social Institutions in the Justice System, which will be offered by Tirana University starting with the 2011-2012 academic year, responds to the need of Albanian institutions to educate and train current and future professionals and volunteers working with offenders in the criminal justice system.
The need for such expertise was raised following the recent establishment of a National Probation Service. The programme of study is designed for probation officers, social workers, psychologists, teachers, sociologists, public administration employees, staff of civil society organizations, police, prosecutors, lawyers, judges and people working in custodial settings.
Participants in the roundtable discussion included representatives of ministries and other state institutions, judiciary officials, international institutions and civil society organizations.