Description
Approximately 150 young inmates in Viru Prison have mental development disorders. There is a need for specialists who are able to help youngsters from one environment to another, especially when a person is about to be released from prison. The project is needed to mitigate the problems. This project aims at young offenders between 14-26 years of age. The project has two sub-target groups, young prisoners and convicts under probation supervision. Prisoners get the needed support for resettlement before release and they are prepared for seamless re-entering into the society. The project-employed resettlement managers, in cooperation with probation officers and other service providers, provide all beneficiaries, in prison or outside, necessary holistic support. Secondarily, the specialists who work with the young inmates and young convicts under probation will get training in recognition of mental disorders and how to behave with young inmates with mental disorder(s). Regular co-vision and supervision is provided to them too, in order to make learning process easier and motivate specialists to enhance their skills in working with the young and vulnerable.
Summary of project results
The project was necessary mainyl for two reasons - necessity to train specialists who work with problematic prisoners and to offer aftercare for incarcerated youth. To improve current aftercare special persons were hired to help youngsters in prison and after release. To deal better with problematic prisoners, 67 prison specialists were trained. Two main topics were at the trainings - special needs and teamwork solving issues. Specialists also received 4 supervisions and 12 covisions. Prisoners received aftercare in socio-economic matters. Special persons were hired to help them to start a new life. 201 youngsters were helped during the project. To achieve set indicator 500 pamphlets were made to advertise the service both in Estonian and in Russian language. To achieve all set goals and to improve the project foreign expert from UK visited project team and prisons two times during the project. He also produced evaluation of Estonian prison system and gave instructions how to improve aftercare for incarcerated youth.
Summary of bilateral results