Description
General aim of the Project is to contribute to the improvement of the capacity of the personnel of Sofia, Pleven and Sliven prisons using updated programs for initial/ continuing training in conformity with the European standards in the area of protection of human rights and prevention of discrimination. Specific objective 1: Review and updating of a program for initial/ continuing training of penitentiary staff in conformity with the European standards by studying the current needs of the staff at Sofia, Pleven and Sliven prisons and the Norwegian experience and good practices in this sphere, incl. the work with Roma. Specific objective 2: Development of the competences of the staff at Sofia, Pleven and Sliven prisons for work with inmates from vulnerable groups and Roma for formation of social skills in compliance with the European standards and of motivation and readiness of the inmates for re-socialisation and reintegration. The partnership will result in a comprehensive research of the Norwegian experience in protection of human rights and treatment of vulnerable groups in prison, so as to incorporate the identified good practices in training material for Bulgarian prison staff. The related study visit will be organized by the Norwegian partner .Its responsibilities also include lecturing and moderating within the publicity measures – press-conference, round table, on-line publications, etc. Experts of the Norwegian partner will be awarded service contracts amounting at approximately 10 000 Euro.
Summary of project results
The project has focused on the lack of well-trained and motivated professionals who would be able to contribute to the improvement of the communication and the work with the inmates incl. Roma for decreasing the number of cases of aggression, violence and discrimination. The project has aimed at contributing to the implementation of programs for initial/ continuing training based on good practices and international standards for work in penitentiary facilities and incorporating the studied good Norwegian practices, thanks to which improvement of the competences of the staff and especially in the area of the protection of human rights and the prevention of discrimination could be achieved. The target group was the prison personnel of the Sofia, Pleven and Sliven prisons. For establishing the current situation in relation to the protection of human rights and prevention of discrimination in the prisons in Sofia, Pleven and Sliven, a survey and a field study have been conducted. For complementing the overview in the area a study of the Norwegian experience and examples of good practices has been carried out, including a study visit to Norway, by emphasizing the protection for human rights and prevention of discrimination in working with vulnerable groups. The gained experience has been integrated in the developed programs for initial and continuing training of prison staff. The programmes have been designed to form motivation among the inmates for reintegration and re-socialisation after leaving the prison as well as to cultivate tolerance and socially responsible behavior and prevention of discrimination. Training of prison staff from the prisons in Sofia, Pleven and Sliven has involved 55 persons thus overachieving the initially set indicator of 44 participants.
Summary of bilateral results
The participation of the Norwegian project partner has been of key importance for the achievement of the general aim and the specific objectives of the project. The project partner`s main responsibility has been related to Activity 3 `Study of the Norwegian experience and examples of Good Practices`. The Norwegian partner has had the task of organising and implementation of a study of the Norwegian experience in inclusion of the international/ European standards in the training programs for the prison staff, and presenting examples of good practices with the emphasis on the protection of human rights and prevention of discrimination. Within the framework of the implementation of activity the partner has organised a two-day visit of Bulgarian experts to Norway for exchange of experience. The Norwegian partner has had a key role in the implementation of the Publicity plan and the envisaged measures – press-conference, round table, publications on the organisation’s web site. Supras AS has an extensive related experience - studies, surveys and analyses in various social and economic areas – minority specifics, cooperation of public structures and social partners for improvement of their administrative capacity and the process of reforms, incl. the judiciary system, participation in initiatives and networks for development of business ethics and corporate social responsibility, bilateral and international cooperation and partnership in various regions of Europe and the world.