Observation and Study of the Convicted Persons at the Penitentiary Institutions of the Republic of Macedonia

Nowadays, it is rightfully considered that the issues regarding the selection and application of the tools and methods, which involve the individualized treatment and observation, are increasingly dealing within the realm of penology. This study will briefly review the more typical and current issues. Often, the term observation, when talking about general principles, relates to the knowledge of psychological, physical and social characteristics of the convict, but it also requires the application of specific tools and methods for each sanction, respectively, depending on their specific nature. Considering the most frequent sanction, which is imprisonment, as a usual measure to combat crime today, the greater focus is on its enforcement during imprisonment. Furthermore, not incidentally observation is identified precisely with this punishment. In relation to this, the clear definition of the term observation needs to be highlighted, as well as its elaboration regarding the specific ways of enforcement and effectuation of certain penal sanctions. In this context, the authors are rightfully stating that the treatment cannot (should not) be the same for intra-institutional and extra-institutional sentences. It is about essentially qualitative differences that require the enforcement of clear tools and methods, which are defined and differentiated in the re-socialization process.