The Justice Ministry (MJ) is making efforts to obtain funding for electronic monitoring bracelets for inmates who go to work and for those on leave, Justice Minister Radu Marinescu said on Thursday, while attending the presentation of the National Administration of Penitentiaries (ANP) activity report for 2025.

'Digitalisation must remain an essential priority for us. (...) We are making all the efforts in order to obtain funding, including for those electronic bracelets (...) which would allow us, at a modern, civilized standard, to effectively monitor the persons who go to work, those who are on leave, in agreement with the legal provisions or those whose sentence enforcement has been temporarily suspended (...) by court order,' the minister said.

Minister Radu Marinescu pointed out that digitalisation represents 'an essential condition' to modernize the penitentiary administration.

'Your activity is often carried out under complex, difficult, demanding conditions, with a high degree of responsibility, and the results achieved prove a firm commitment to the values of the public service and the safety of society. (...) The role of the National Administration of Penitentiaries is essential in the institutional architecture of the Romanian state. The penitentiary system represents a fundamental component of the criminal justice system, but also an important pillar in ensuring public order and national security,' Justice Minister Marinescu told the employees in the penitentiary system.

He underscored that the MJ reaffirms its firm commitment to support the development and strengthening of the penitentiary system in Romania so that it works in full accordance with the European and international standards in terms of the detention regime.

According to the Justice minister, the observance of the fundamental rights of persons deprived of liberty represents a legal obligation, but also an expression of the democratic maturity of the Romanian state.

'The custody conditions, the access to medical services, education, psychological and social assistance, as well as the protection of human dignity represent central elements of a modern and responsible penitentiary administration. (...) Reducing recidivism is a strategic objective for us, which cannot be achieved without coherent programmes of education, vocational training, counseling and preparation for social reintegration,' Radu Marinescu said.

He mentioned that the Justice Ministry endorses the development of social reintegration programmes, strengthening partnerships with the involved public institutions, with non-governmental organisations and the private sector, as well as the expansion of work opportunities for the persons deprived of liberty.

Minister Marinescu pointed out that a fundamental aspect on which the institution he represents must continue to focus is modernizing the penitentiary infrastructure.

'We will continue the efforts to develop and modernize the detention capacities, to improve the accommodation conditions, expand the existing spaces and especially those intended for educational and reintegration activities and - very importantly - to ensure proper working conditions for the personnel in the system,' Minister Marinescu added. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Iulia Carciog; EN - writing by: Rodica State)