Description
In many cases, ex-offenders face discrimination and have problems with their rehabilitation into society. In this context, many inmates return to prison, being deprived of the chance of a normal life in freedom. The project aims to develop an inter-institutional collaboration mechanism in Iasi county, to support the social reintegration of former prisoners, thus fighting the discrimination against former prisoners that are vulnerable to social and economic exclusion. To achieve it, an Icelandic partner will transfer know-how on non-discrimination working with vulnerable groups. The project will moreover organise trainings for specialists from relevant institutions that work with prisoners prior to their release, as well as former prisoners to ensure reintegration into the community. A support program to encourage former prisoners' reintegration in the community will also be developed and implemented. In addition, the project will result in an inter-institutional manual on community reintegration of former prisoners.
Summary of project results
The project was based on studies and reports that shown the prisoners about to be liberated are vulnerable groups regarding social inclusion. The project was a successful partnership between a public institution and NGOs (including an NGO partner from the donor countries - INTERCULTURAL ICELAND) and managed to develop in Iasi County an inter-institutional mechanism to support the social reintegration of former prisoners within their communities. The support program developed within the project was tested in case of 15 former prisoners, in 3 communities from Iasi county. A training program addressed to the guardians from Iasi penitentiary on prevention and fighting discrimination and stigma for vulnerable groups was organized, with participation of the NGO partner from Iceland. The project also developed a large awareness campaign on discrimination in 3 communities (including workshops, meetings, distribution of information materials). Media was involved in project's activities (an workshop on non-discrimination, especially designed for media representatives was organized). A guide on inter-institutional working and reintegration for former prisoners was developed at the end of the project, and 150 copies have been distributed. On long term, the former prisoners benefit from support for social integration and support from penitenciary staff. The project approached the problems encountered by the prisoners when they leave the detention system, on 4 levels: social level - by direct services provided to prisoners 2 months before liberation, educational - by training specialists in working with prisoners, service providing through the integration programme designed and tested and institutional collaboration, by creating partnerships between public and private institutions, regarding the reintegration of former prisoners into comunity.
Summary of bilateral results
The project bilateral activities developed under the partnership agreement signed between Iasi Penitentiary and InterCultural Iceland. Through these activities the partners exchanged experience that contributed and improved the understanding of some concepts regarding discrimination and social exclusion. The partner’s experience was delivered to a know-how training participants, by approaching the planned themes. The Project Promoter appreciates this partnership as an opportunity for future collaboration in institutional staff professional training. The interactive training realized by this project attended the following main themes: discrimination, intercultural understanding, and preventing stigma for vulnerable persons etc. The training held 19 participants, project partners’ representatives, and specialists of local authorities that work with former prisoners, to integrate them into society. Through this training a know-how transfer was achieved and will be benefited by the specialists who work with prisoners.