Representatives of law-enforcement bodies and the Office of the Ombudsperson of Turkmenistan discussed best practices in reducing prison populations during an OSCE-organized study visit to Chisinau, Moldova, held from 4 to 6 November 2026.
The delegation visited the Head Office of Moldova's Probation Service, where they were briefed on its legal framework, institutional structure, mandate and functions. The Turkmen delegation discussed with their Moldovan counterparts community-based (non-custodial) sanctions, supervision of probationers, community service and social reintegration programmes. A visit to the Electronic Monitoring Centre provided the delegation with an opportunity to learn about the electronic monitoring system, its software platform and related procedures.
"This visit is part of the Centre's efforts to support Turkmenistan in advancing its penitentiary system in line with international standards and OSCE commitments," said William Leaf, Head of the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.
"The visit provided an excellent platform for discussing Moldova's good practices in reducing prison populations, including the use of non-custodial sentences as an alternative to incarceration and expanding opportunities for rehabilitation," added Leaf.
During a visit to the territorial office of the Probation Service in Ceadir-Lunga, Gagauzia, the delegation learnt about Moldova's social reintegration programmes for probationers, post-detention support, and co-operation with civil society and social partners. They also met with representatives of the National Legal Aid Council (NLAC) to discuss the state-guaranteed legal aid system.
A meeting with representatives of Moldova's Office of the People's Advocate focused on the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture, complaint-handling procedures and co-operation between the Ombudsperson's Office, the Probation Service and the NLAC.
