| Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the former Soviet countries have become enmeshed in the processes of democratization, modernization, and overall institutional reform. New ideas about punishment that filled the voids left by the demise of the socialism and Marxist-Leninist ideology have been influenced by Western criminal justice policy transfers. In particular, the global human rights movement has been a driving force of criminal justice reform. This study explicates the process of penal reform under these conditions in a post-Soviet country in transition---Armenia. In particular, it focuses on one of the facets of penal reform---the creation and development of a Public Monitoring Board, a prison and jail oversight committee composed of representatives from non-governmental groups.;Using the perspective of historical institutionalism in its analysis of penal reform, this study examines specific triggers of change, such as international institutions and treaties, as well as the immediate agents of institutional change. This research focuses on penal reform efforts in Armenia from 1991 to 2005---the crux of this transition. In order to achieve methodological triangulation, this research relies on: (1) semi-structured interviews of various individuals and groups engaged in the penal reform process; (2) review of pertinent documentation such as reports, official decrees, laws and international human rights instruments; and, (3) historical analysis of newspaper articles.;This study provides a descriptive account of penal reform efforts in Armenia in the specified period. In addition, it highlights the importance of a number of international organizations which have had a pivotal role in mandating, encouraging and assisting the Armenian government in transforming the penal system in accord with international human rights standards. The results have shown that penal reform efforts undertaken by the Armenian government have become the means of achieving international accreditation of the democratization process. Lastly, the presence of NGOs dedicated to the humanization of the penal system has created an institutional capacity for change. However, the sustainability of their existence and their efforts mainly depend on the availability of continuous financial support from the international organizations. |
