Council resolution 2007/24 requested the UNODC to continue to provide advisory services and technical assistance to members states, upon request, in the broad area of penal reform. Specific areas of penal reform mentioned in the resolution are restorative justice, alternatives to imprisonment, and the development of an integrated plan for the provision of legal assistance. The latter plan is to include the provision of paralegals and similar alternative schemes for victims, defendants, and suspects at all critical stages of criminal cases. The resolution also requests the UNODC to encourage member states to implement criminal justice reform that promotes the participation of civil society. In July 2008 the Secretary-General invited member states to provide information on measures adopted by them in complying with the reporting obligations under the resolution. The current report of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice contains the information received from member states as well as the activities of the UNODC in this area. Information is also presented on the UNODC's efforts to assist African States, upon request, in their efforts to apply the Lilongwe Declaration on Accessing Legal Aid in the criminal justice system in Africa, as well as to convene an intergovernmental meeting of experts to study ways and means of strengthening access to legal aid.