Details

Multidisciplinary study visit to Berlin on criminal law, the prison system and judicial training

Published: June 27, 2019
The Senegalese delegation attending talks at the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection
The Senegalese delegation attending talks at the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection
Senegal

From 11 to 15 June 2015, the IRZ welcomed a multidisciplinary delegation from Senegal to talks in Berlin. The study visit marked the start of the cooperation between the IRZ and the Senegalese justice system, which is being financed by the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV).

The Senegalese delegation was made up of representatives from the Ministry of Justice (Department of Criminal Law and Pardons), the Prison Authority and the Judicial Academy. The programme for the study visit was therefore suitably varied. The delegation was welcomed to talks at the BMJV, the Berlin Senate Administration for Justice, Consumer Protection and Anti-discrimination and at Social Services for Justice, Court and Probationary Matters. The subjects of judicial training and further training were discussed in more detail on a visit to the German Judicial Academy in Wustrau and issues relating to German law enforcement were brought to light during visits to the Moabit and Plötzensee prisons.

Senegal initiated some important reforms to the justice system some time ago. Both the penal code and the code of criminal procedure are being comprehensively revised and updated. The focus is currently on making criminal law operational and on adapting legal texts to bring them into line with international agreements.

When it comes to the prison system, the main focus is on relieving overcrowding and improving the reintegration of prisoners. The Senegalese guests were therefore interested in learning about alternative concepts such as open prisons and subjects including relaxing imprisonment conditions and alternative forms of punishment.

The IRZ is planning to continue and intensify its cooperation with Senegalese partners and, in particular, provide more support for the reform efforts in criminal law and prisons. To this end, an event is planned in Senegal for the second half of the year.