Mikheil Saakashvili visited the Gldani Correctional Facility today and inspected its newly built reception room with the Minister of Corrections and Legal Assistance. Khatuna Kalmakhelidze familiarized the President with the services that have been implemented in order to make the visits of family members and people close to the prisoners more simplified and comfortable. According to the President, it is especially important for these people to feel the difference between the old and new systems. Mikheil Saakashvili also focused attention on the importance of decreasing the number of prisoners by implementing alternative programs of punishment. He also spoke with highly qualified public consultants at the reception, who have gone through a several-stage special training program.

“We should at least simplify the lives of the families, whose members committed crimes and who are already in very harsh social conditions because of this. This is the difference between the old and new systems, because people were humiliated exactly in this place. This system was completely oriented on repressing, humiliating, and making people miserable. This is what they fed on, earned money on, and enjoyed too. A completely different thing is being created now, which is a continuation of our other state services. We have several options for lightening the correctional facilities. If it is possible for a person not to be in jail we should do everything to avoid it. But if it concerns a crime, which requires a perpetrator to be isolated from the public, the family will suffer the least because of these conditions. The fact that our streets are safe today is a result of the fact that the persons, who have perpetrated crimes are now paying for them. On the other hand, these people should get back to normal family life after leaving prison. That is why we should create respectable conditions for these people” – stated Mikheil Saakashvili.

It is possible to register on arriving or for a scheduled appointment. Also, the people who are close to prisoners can get information about important and necessary issues there. In terms of additional services, the visitors will have a chance to use a bank service, free internet and free legal consultation. For visitors with children there is a children’s corner set up.