Description
A high number of inmates have limited skills necessary for the labor market, preventing them to access jobs and thus represent a high risk of re-offending. The project targets inmates (with a specific focus on Roma), prison staff, public authorities, civil society and cultural institutions. Its aim is strengthening the capacity of the penitentiary system to facilitate the reintegration process of the inmates after release by training them in eco-construction and traditional crafts and through raising the public awareness regarding the necessity of society’s involvement at large in this reintegration process. Also, the Correctional Service Region South, as Donor Project Partner, will provide know how and knowledge to the penitentiary staff on the concept of a human ecology detention system. Specifically, the project aims at creating an “eco-reintegration lab”, in the area of Danube Delta, on Tataru Grind, where 5 eco-houses will be built by the inmates and will serve as workshops for the eco-traditional crafts and for organizing awareness events.
Summary of project results
Considering the high rate of unemployment of inmates after their release, caused also by limited education and/or qualifications preventing them from accessing a job, and thus representing a high risk of relapsing, the National Administration of Penitentiaries promoted this project as a means of addressing this problem, by providing trainings aiming at qualifying detainees in traditional crafts and by raising awareness on their situation, with a view to increase their chances on the labor market after completing their time in prison. The objective of the project was fully achieved, consisting in strengthening the capacity of the penitentiary system to facilitate the reintegration process of the ex-inmates, by improving their competences through trainings in eco-construction and traditional crafts, as well as by raising the public awareness on the importance of society’s involvement in ensuring the reintegration of ex-inmates. The following outputs were delivered after implementing the main activities of the project: - 126 detainees from Tulcea Prison (Chilia section), serving the last year of sentence and mainly belonging to vulnerable groups (including Roma), were trained theoretically and practically as qualified workers in eco-constructions (46 detainees), carpentry (49 detainees), eco-agriculture (20 detainees) and rush weaving (11 detainees); - 5 eco-houses were built at Grindu Tataru (Danube Delta) by the inmates trained in eco-constructions, using eco-raw materials (e.g. reed, earth, straw, wood), namely: the builder’s house (hosted theoretical trainings and awareness events), the pottery workshop house, the weaving workshop house, the carpentry workshop house and the eco-agriculture workshop house; - 3 members of the prison staff from Tulcea Prison (Chilia section) were trained and qualified in eco-constructions, 2 of them being also qualified and certified as trainers; - 50 management prison staff (e.g. directors, heads of units) were trained on topics related to the setting up of a detention system based on human ecology principles; - the awareness and involvement of society in the reintegration of inmates and ex-inmates was increased by: - organizing 5 awareness events in Tătaru, Tulcea and Bucharest; - developing an awareness plan and a communication strategy; - concluding 14 partnerships with representatives of the civil society/ other stakeholders.
Summary of bilateral results
The project helped strengthening the bilateral relations between Norway and Romania by offering the framework for benefiting from the Norwegian expertise, know-how and best practice regarding the concept of a human ecology detention system. Thus, the Norwegian project partner, Region South, has organised a study visit at Bastøy Prison, in Norway, and also provided training to 50 employees with leading positions in the penitentiary system on the implementation of the human ecology concept. As well, the representative of the Norwegian partner participated in the 5 awareness events organised in the project during which he delivered presentations on the human ecology concept and on the manner this concept was adapted and implemented in the Romanian penitentiary system.