Reforms of the SCES: Bohdan Khmelnytsky, member of the Advisory Board and founder of Strategic Advocacy, joined the discussion of key initiatives

On June 18, 2025, a regular meeting of the Advisory Expert Council of the State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine was held in Kyiv. The event was attended by Bohdan Khmelnytsky, founder and chairman of the board of Strategic Advocacy Attorneys at Law, member of the Advisory Expert Council.

During the meeting, the council members discussed three key areas:

1. Report of the Working Group on the development of proposals for amendments to the draft law on the penitentiary system of Ukraine.

2. Presentation and approval of the project “Chronicle of the Penitentiary System” as an element of preserving historical memory.

3. Presentation of a new initiative – the creation of a special re-socialization and rehabilitation program for war veterans under probationary supervision.

The participants of the meeting paid special attention to the third issue. This is the launch of the first program in Ukraine aimed at supporting military personnel who, after participating in combat operations, committed offenses and were sentenced to non-custodial sentences.

The presented program envisages the creation of special conditions for psychosocial support for veterans who have post-traumatic effects of war, such as difficulties with adaptation, emotional stability, or addictions. The initiative is being implemented through interagency cooperation: representatives of probation, healthcare, social protection, employment centers, and public and veteran organizations are involved in the process.

According to the participants of the event, the main objective of the program is not only to control the behavior of convicts, but also to support their return to a full life in society. The program includes the development and implementation of special training courses for professionals, adaptation of psycho-correctional techniques to work with the military, and a system for monitoring results.

Commenting on the results of the meeting, Bohdan Khmelnytsky said:

“Reforms in the SCES continue. Today I took part in a meeting of the Advisory Expert Council to discuss legislative changes, the historical heritage of the system and a new program for veterans.

This is the first initiative in Ukraine to re-socialize military personnel under probationary supervision. The program provides psychological and social support, interaction between specialists and services.

I am grateful to everyone who works in this area. We are moving forward,” Bohdan Khmelnytsky said.