Description
The recent reform process of the penitentiary system implies the need to ensure a professional and strategic approach at the level of the penitentiary's human capital development, in line with relevant international standards. The project aims at strengthening the capacity of the penitentiary system in the area of human capital development by elaborating a human resources strategy, as well as other special training instruments, by increasing the professional competence and knowledge of the prison staff and by improving the actual training facilities existing at the Centre for Training and Specialization for the National Administration of Penitentiaries Officers – Arad. The target group of the project is represented by the prison staff within the National Administration of Penitentiaries. The role of Correctional Service of Norway Staff Academy is to provide expertise for the development of the human resources strategy and of the other special training instruments and to provide specialized training in line with its best practices and experience gained in the area.
Summary of project results
Considering the shortcomings underlined by the Strategy for the prison system for the period 2009-2013 regarding the need to improve the human resources policy within the Romanian penitentiary system, the necessity to provide training courses for the prison staff and to develop adequate training instruments, as well as to ensure proper training facilities, the National Administration of Penitentiaries promoted this project as a means of addressing these shortcomings. The objective of the project was fully achieved, consisting in strengthening the capacity of the penitentiary system in the area of human capital development, by elaborating a human resources strategy, as well as other special training instruments, increasing the professional competence and knowledge of the prison staff and improving the training facilities existing at the level of the penitentiary system, by rehabilitating and endowing the Arad Training Centre. The following outputs were delivered after implementing the main activities of the project: - a Human Resources Strategy, as well as other special training instruments for the prison staff were developed, namely: the Training Needs Analysis Instrument for both initial and in-service training of the NAP personnel; 8 training curricula for the initial training (in the economic-administrative, social reintegration, medical, detention safety and penitentiary regime fields) and 3 training curricula for the in-service training of the prison staff (concerning radicalization phenomenon in prison, human rights - ways of preventing minorities’ discrimination, mainly in case of Roma people, CPT rules); a prison staff Career Guideline aiming at providing practical guidance for building a career within the penitentiary system; a mentoring and a coaching programme for the prison staff in management positions; 5 e-learning courses on the same topics as those provided by the in-service training curricula, plus leadership and first aid; - 180 prison staff were trained on topics such as: human rights - ways of preventing minorities’ discrimination, especially in case of Roma people, radicalization in prison, CPT rules, public speaking, evaluation of professional competence; - the Arad Training Centre was rehabilitated and endowed with IT equipment, as well as furniture and equipment for classrooms, recreational and leisure time areas, library, bedrooms etc., so as to provide adequate educational spaces and accommodation conditions for the trainees.
Summary of bilateral results
The project helped strengthening the bilateral relations between Norway and Romania by offering the framework for benefiting from the Norwegian expertise, know-how and best practice in what concerns the human capital development at the level of the penitentiary system. Thus, the project was implemented by the Promoter in partnership with the Correctional Service of Norway Staff Academy (KRUS) which was involved in carrying out the activities related to the elaboration of the Human Resources Strategy and the special training instruments for the prison staff and in the training delivery component. The common work of the Norwegian and Romanian specialists contributed to the exchange of practices and strengthening of the bilateral relations and cooperation between the two administrations.