A smoothly operating early release system is an important instrument in combating prison overcrowding. Timely preparation for early release plays a key role in establishing fair and humane treatment of those convicts considered ready to return to society. Early conditional release is regarded as one of the most effective and constructive measures, as it not only reduces the length of imprisonment, but also contributes substantially to a planned return of the offender to the community. High rates of imprisonment make various approaches to parole and early release worthy of review, especially concerning how this so-called “back door” mechanism operates in new independent states — in this case, Georgia and Armenia - and how it provides a fair, equal and transparent process to obtain early release from custody. Although Georgia and Armenia are neighbouring countries with similar historical and developmental backgrounds, the parole systems established in these states are totally different. This article aims to review the parole systems of Georgia and Armenia and provide comparative analyses in the context of standards set by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers Recommendation (2003)22 on conditional release (parole).
Belgian release policies, rationales and practices
