The National Preventive Mechanism of the Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Corrections of Georgia, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs to institute all necessary measures to ensure realization of recommendations issued by the Public Defender.

For the purpose of inspection of realization of recommendations issued as a result of the monitoring of situation of persons with disabilities in penitentiary establishments, facilities of involuntary mental health treatment and temporary detention isolators in the period of October 21-November 13, 2014, the National Preventive Mechanism conducted visits to penitentiary establishments and the Naneisvili National Mental Health Centre. The visits took place on December 4-12, 2014.

As a result of the visits it was determined that despite certain positive changes, unfortunately, no significant progress has been noted with respect to realization of the recommendations. Another alarming fact is that no activities have been conducted with regards to the number of recommendations.

The National Preventive Mechanism gave a positive assessment to the fact of opening of a long-term treatment division in the medical facility for accused and convicts; though, it should be noted that inmates with physical and mental disabilities still remain in penitentiary establishments, while needs of inmates with disabilities are not completely met at the above-mentioned division itself.

Also, in the view of the National Preventive Mechanism, it is important that activities defined in the strategic document of mental healthcare development and 2015-2020 Action Plan are closely followed in order to ensure provision of patients placed in the penitentiary system and other closed-type establishments with mental care services that are in line with the national legislation and international standards.