The U.S. Embassy supported a partnership meeting between the Vocational and Educational Training Center for Inmates (VETCI) and Georgia’s business sector representatives at Lopota Lake Resort on April 16-17, through the framework of the Corrections Development Program of Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).
INL closely cooperates with VETCI to expand vocational and employment opportunities within Special Penitentiary Service institutions via the creation of various prison industries. According to the Deputy Minister of Justice Buba Lomuashvili, this partnership is unprecedented for the Georgian penitentiary system, and it will yield great returns for all stakeholders. The head of VETCI, Tamta Demurishvili presented the projects that had been implemented, and discussed future activities with participants. The General Director of Special Penitentiary Service Nika Tskhvarashvili talked about the current resources of the SPS, and the potential for further business opportunities. Representatives of GEFA, Sarajishvili, Mtevino, Technological Group, 34GIGS, NADI Group, Ikaros College, Green Solution, and SOCAR expressed their readiness to initiate formal cooperation with VETCI, which means more employment opportunities and better social and life skills for the inmates and ex-offenders.