Description
Equal access of Roma to fulfill the conditions of the imposed alternative sanction (AS) is prevented by existing obstacles. AS is an important tool of reintegration of Roma offenders for its restorative character. The objective of the project is to support equal access to AS by removing the barriers. Target groups are members of the Roma minority, which have been/may be sentenced to an AS, and professionals in the fields of criminal justice and Roma integration (public administration, NGOs, policy makers). Activities: model implementation of Roma Mentoring service, raising the awareness of both target groups (informational and motivational campaign for Roma; conference and dissemination of outputs for experts), proposal of systemic changes and strengthening the capacity of the applicant in these areas. We plan to support almost 6000 people, create informational leaflet, poster, video spot for Roma, study of transferability of good practice and make proposal of systemic changes."
Summary of project results
Project responded to need of ensuring equal access of Roma to alternative sanctions (AS), which is prevented by objectively existing obstacles. Aim was to increase availability of AS for Roma and to reduce barriers to its effective fulfillment. 1st target group was Roma minority members, who has been/may be sentenced to AS. Roma Mentoring service and awareness campaign were focused on them. Other project activities were targeted at professionals from public administration and NGOs who cooperate with Roma clients, and policy makers involved in shaping strategies of sanctions policy, Roma integration and crime prevention.46 Roma clients were directly supported by Roma mentors The campaign raised awareness of 6400 Roma about AS. The campaign via Roma media (esp. social networks, webs) was based on video spot "AS Is a Chance to Stay out of Jail" and leaflet "Don´t Be Afraid to Ask!". Project raised awareness of 1238 professionals and policy makers about specific needs of Roma in criminal justice and strategies for increasing efficiency of AS. This was achieved through conference "Roma and AS" and dissemination of info-materials (esp. Study of transferability of Roma Mentoring) via website alternativaproromy.cz. Important output is proposal of systemic changes to implement special probation programs for Roma, shared with 88 stakeholders. Capacity of organization was strengthened by a training of 15 employees in topic of lobbying. Due to involvement of Roma t.g. in its preparation, the campaign was sufficiently intelligible and accessible to contribute to overcoming the primal obstacle of AS fulfillment: avoiding communication with PMS staff. RUBIKON Centrum became part of groundbreaking process that may affect state criminal policy towards positive trends in reducing recidivism and reintegration of people with criminal records, incl. those who have specific needs. Establishment of new system of probation programs for adults would have huge impact on entire postpenitentiary care in Czech Republic.
Summary of bilateral results