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Description
The project will enhance convicts’ motivation to participate in intervention programmes, which, as a final goal, can decrease the risk of their relapse, through the implementation of the Norwegian “Motivation Programme" to improve treatment programmes for vulnerable groups with emphasis on the integration of medical and psycho-social care, implementation of standardization of the procedures of professional care for convicted drug users and through implementation of programme focused on working with imprisoned fathers as well as on working with families and imprisoned parents (e.g. “Pappa Programme“).
The project will include the following main activities:
- Translation of the manual for the application of the “Motivation programme” from Norwegian into Czech and its adaptation for Czech environment.
- Training of teams of professional staff from four Czech prisons in using the “Motivation programme” and “job shadowing” in a Norwegian prison or prisons where this programme is implemented.
- Pilotage of the “Motivation programme” in four Czech prisons
- Creating a standard procedure of substitution treatment and detoxification and its pilot verification in one prison including necessary equipment
- Training staff members dealing with drug addict within new developed medical programmes
- Translation of the manual for the application of the programme from Norwegian into Czech and its adaptation for Czech environment
- Training of Prison Service staff – training of Czech lecturers of Pappa Programme in Norway
- Pilotage of Fathers programme in four prisons
- Creating an educational publication for parents and children (about the life of a parent in prison in collaboration with suppliers and partners, processing of publications, illustrations and graphics, followed by printing)
Equipment and adjustment of appropriate spaces for the Fathers programme implementation and creation of suitable spaces inside visiting rooms suited for visits of family members in prisons.
Summary of project results
The project reflected the lack of suitable resocialisation and reahabilitation programmes provided by the Czech Prison Service. Czech prisons needed to improve existing ineffective systems in order to strengthen the quality of treatment of prisoners facilitating their succesful return to society outside prison. The project also addressed addiction issues among prisoners, as addiction is one of the most common factors of recidivism. The aim was to introduce standardised health programmes and promote bonds between incarcerated parents and their children, as recommended by the Czech Helsinki Committee.
The project included several activities that contributed to significant innovations in the prison system. Within the first activity, a motivation programme for prisoners was brought to the Czech Republic. The second activity focused on the Fathers'' Programme, which aimed to strengthen relationships between imprisoned fathers and their children. The third activity led to developed of 3 new health programmes targeting the specific needs of prisoners with addiction problems. The programmes were piloted in 10 selected prisons where facilities were adapted for their implementation. Our Norwegian partner played an irreplaceable role as he provided his models of teratment programmes to be adopted in the Czech Republic and provided necessary expertise and assistance in their adoption.
We piloted two programmes: the "Papa Program" with 47 inmates and the "Motivation Programme" with 86 inmates. We developed three health programs for drug addicts, with 61 inmates participating. We trained 63 staff in these programmes in order to secure their smooth implementation into the Czech prison systemn. We modified and equipped treatment facilities for inmates in ten prisons. The project improved the care of prisoners and drug addicts, improved conditions in prisons and increased staff expertise. The Justice Programme aims to enhance the correctional system in our country. New standardized interventions have improved services for prisoners, aligned with the EU Drugs Strategy, enhancing work with drug users and fostering cooperation between Czech and Norwegian prison services. The project contributed to reducing criminogenic risks, recidivism and social exclusion of released prisoners and to reducing social and economic disparities in the Czech Republic.
Summary of bilateral results
The project actively used the cooperation with the Norwegian Prison Service, which provided us with valuable expertise and experience with motivational programme and programme for fathers. Together, we transferred these proven methods to the Czech prison system and adapted them to the conditions in the Czech Republic. Thanks to this cooperation, we developed three new health programmes for drug users, which improved the work with convicts and provided targeted support to vulnerable groups. Our Norwegian partner played a key role in introducing innovative procedures that effectively reduce criminogenic risks, recidivism and social exclusion of released prisoners. In this way, we created better conditions for their integration into society. Thanks to joint activities, we contributed to reducing social and economic disparities in the Czech Republic, strengthened cooperation between the Czech and Norwegian prison systems and expanded professional knowledge among prison service staff.