Description
As study of 2010 shows, 66.1% of prisoners tried drugs prior to imprisonment, 17.8% of prisoners used drugs in prison, while 8.5% prisoners used drugs during last 30 days in prison. In Latvian prisons it was not possible to ensure the addicts’ isolation from narcotic and psychotropic substances and to provide preconditions for the re-socialization work with specific target groups. To solve addiction problems, during the project implementation staff members were trained, a drug rehabilitation centre with 200 places for 200 addicted inmates was created in line with the relevant Council of Europe standards. These 200 places provides possibility for 200 inmates with addiction problems to receive necessary treatment aimed at addiction reduction. Re-socialization programs were developed and implemented. The Latvian Prison Administration implemented the project in cooperation with partners from Norway, Poland and Latvia. It ensured exchange of experience and best practice for efficient development of re-socialization programs, as well as contributes to improvement of training process.
Summary of project results
The reform of the resocialization system on prisons was necessary. Person mostly commit a crime being under the influence of intoxicating substances. In prisons of Latvia exists the difficulty to ensure that no drugs or other addictive substances get in to prison. One of the main programme`s outputs, namely, New unit at Olaine prison, including construction and training of staff. The unit shall replace sub-standard prison capacity elsewhere in Latvia and will be based on research and the principle of progressive punishment - is directly linked to activities carried out in project LV08-0002.The Addiction Centre in Olaine prison territory (hereafter – Centre) was built to start brand new resocialization approach and to ensure that prisoners are not able to have addictive substances on prison. They are taking part on resocialization programmes thereby increasing the possibility to re-integrate in society as full members after sentence is served. The functioning of Centre is long term goal. The amendments on legislation were made to ensure work of Centre. The budget for remuneration of staff of the Centre is planned from state budget. To ensure the work of Centre, the staff was trained in three groups, every group per six months. The Pathfinder and Atlantis programmes were adapted and introduced on Centre in collaboration with Norwegian and Polish colleagues. Thereby the main output indicators, as well as the output itself are achieved. The main beneficiaries of the project are correction service system as whole, prisoners with addiction and society. The Centre is the start of fundamental changes of all prison system in Latvia. The outcomes are almost achieved. The Centre can provide 200 places for prisoners with addiction, till the end of year 125 clients participated on resocialization programmes. 479 employees trained instead of 310. 96 clients participated on Latvian language trainings.
Summary of bilateral results
Within project LV08-0002 four partnership agreements were concluded. With the considerable input and contribution from project partners, Olaine Addiction Centre (Centre) was established within the project LV08-0002. It was completely new initiative on Latvia’s Correctional Services system. It was very important for Latvian Prison Administration to sign the bilateral cooperation agreements with Correctional Service of Norway Staff Academy (KRUS), Oslo Prison, Central Board of Prison service of Poland and State Probation Service (Latvia) to ensure the functions of Centre. Representatives from KRUS and Oslo Prison trained the staff of Centre how to work with addicts, how to implement and adapt the Patfinder programme what has been implemented on Oslo Prison already. The trainings lasted for six months and there were 3 training groups. All students had great opportunity to visit Norway correctional services and after the graduating trainings to exchange knowledge and experience. The resocialization programme “Atlantis” was implemented and adapted on Centre as well in cooperation with colleagues from Poland correctional services. The representatives from Oslo Prison provided two follow-up visits after closure of project to give an advice and support for staff of Centre.