Description
In light of the new laws expanding the alternative to prison sanctions the role of probation within the correctional system is significantly greater for the full and successful implementation of the provisions regarding the execution of non-custodial punishments. The project aims at improving the overall performance of the probation service in order to fulfil its new tasks by targeting the achievement of key outcomes such as developing the organizational management, improving its working tools, capacity and practice and enhancing the working conditions of the probation staff and the functioning of the probation so as to enable it to deliver effective alternative to prison interventions. The target group of the project is represented by probation staff, particular categories of persons under probation supervision (drug/ alcohol addicts, vulnerable groups such as Roma and minors) as well as other relevant stakeholders. The role of Rogaland Probation Office as Donor Project Partner is to provide expertise for developing specific management tools for the institutional management in probation in line with its best practices and experience.
Summary of project results
Having in mind the new legislation expanding the alternative to prison sanctions falling under the responsibility of the probation, the need for this project promoted by the National Probation Directorate arose in order to adequately prepare the probation system to address shortcomings and vulnerabilities so as to face upcoming changes. The objective of the project was fully achieved, consisting in improved overall performance of the probation service in order to fulfil its new tasks by targeting the achievement of key outcomes such as developing the organizational management, improving its working tools, capacity and practice and enhancing the working conditions of the probation staff so as to enable it to deliver effective alternative to prison interventions. The following outputs were delivered after implementing the main activities of the project: - 4 strategic documents for the development and management of the probation system were developed (e.g. strategy for the development of the probation system 2015-2020, corresponding action plan, staff selection and recruitment strategy, procedure for the coordination of the probation services); - 439 legal practitioners (probation staff, judges, prosecutors) were trained on alternatives to prison; - 432 probation staff participated in training courses on implementing the probation working tools developed in the project (e.g. working and occupational standards in probation, case management working procedure, My Choice Programme, Civic Education Programme) - 127 offenders (101 adult and 26 young) were made subject to community based programmes as an alternative to prison (e.g. My Choice and Civic Education Programmes); - 26 Roma offenders were involved in the developed mentoring programme as a motivational tool for encouraging their pro-social behaviour, positive attitude and skills development; - 9 probation services and the headquarters of the National Probation Directorate revamped; - 42 probation services and the headquarters of the National Probation Directorate endowed with furniture, IT equipment and other goods. As regards the changes that have occurred for the probation system as beneficiary since the start of the project, the statistics available at the end of 2017 show a constant upward trend in the number of persons under probation supervision (195% increase compared to 2014) and a reduction of prison population, facts which support the increased importance given to the application of alternatives to prison.
Summary of bilateral results
The project contributed to strengthening the bilateral relations and mutual understanding in the probation area between Norway and Romania by offering the ideal framework for benefiting from the Norwegian expertise, know-how and best practice regarding the development of the organizational management in probation, as well as the improving of its working tools, capacity and practice. Through regular meetings, study visits etc., the Donor partner provided expertise for developing specific management tools (e.g. strategy for the development of probation, staff selection and recruitment strategy, procedure for the coordination of the probation services) and working procedures/ standards for the institutional management in probation, as well as training for the probation staff for implementing the developed tools and working procedures/ standards. Thus, the project partnership contributed to achieving one of the major overall objectives of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014, namely strengthening the bilateral relations in the probation area between Norway as donor state and Romania as beneficiary country.