Description
The social reintegration programme is targeted at female inmates held in custody in Warszawa Grochów Remand Prison. The project is addressed to women who will soon be released from prison. It is always difficult to reintegrate with the society after a period of isolation, and professional help is needed to change destructive patterns of behaviour resulting in social exclusion. The project objective is to support women who are in this particularly challenging situation. The programme is focused on a group of 16 women, and it has two stages. Stage One includes group classes in the prison: psychotherapy workshops to deal with one’s emotional patterns, relationships with family, relationships with other people, as well as bodywork workshops which help develop better contact with oneself and master relaxation methods helpful in dealing with emotions. Under Stage Two, 6 participants will receive psychological and career assistance during their social readaptation.
Summary of project results
"Return to normal life after serving a term in prison is a very difficult process. Employees of the Warszawa Grochów Remand Prison say that women serving prison terms are willing to improve their previous behaviour, but they need support. Psychological help is given in the centre only to a limited extent. There is an urgent need to undertake activities to prepare prisoners for social reintegration. The aim of the project was to support women imprisoned in the Warszawa Grochów Remand Prison during last months of their prison terms and first months of freedom, and thus to counteract their exclusion through helping them to return to life in freedom. Based on evaluation questionnaires conducted among 11 participants, enhancement of communication and interpersonal abilities and willingness to further change their lives in order to avoid return to prison was diagnosed. Under the project, for 5 months relaxation classes with elements of yoga and psycho-educational workshops were led for 16 women. In the following months, 6 participants who left prison were given additional support (psychological support, social and life advice) The activities led under the project covered 16 women imprisoned in the Warszawa Grochów Remand Prison."
Summary of bilateral results