Description
The overall project objective is to increase the focus on vulnerable groups in prison - Roma and foreigners. Roma are a significant part of the prison population. Foreigners are increasing in numbers due to the asylum wave to Bulgaria and are often sentenced for crossing the border illegally. After serving a prison sentence their situation in Bulgaria becomes even worse and social integration is challenging. A specific objective of the project is to develop several programs for rehabilitation for vulnerable inmates. The first group of programs is related to business communication, entrepreneurship and leadership skills, as well as personal finance management. This knowledge and skills are crucial for job realization or starting a new business. The second group of programs are aimed to rebuild family connections through art workshops and role plays. Those methods are largely used in Europe, UK and Scotland but scarcely in Bulgaria The main target group of the project are inmates from Roma ethnicity and foreign background, which are married and have less than a year before their release from prison. The training programs for social inclusion and for the development of career skills will be implemented also after their release from prison.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the need to increase the focus on two of the vulnerable groups in prison - foreigners and the Roma. The project implementation involved instruments that had been individually adapted in order to personalize the effect towards re-socialisation and character change. The methods of intervention have been aimed at provoking the potential and the talents of the participants. The PP has applied arts workshops, training in entrepreneurship, seminars on leadership skills and on management of personnel finances. The families of the target group members have been directly involved in the project implementation. Through personal social-psychological meeting the sharing has been encouraged so as to achieve restoration of family relationships. Within the projects two seminars took place where the prison inmates met employers. 15 representatives of business from different branches took part and explored the work opportunities after release. The high level of attendance (92%) and the expressed satisfaction and motivation by the prison inmates could be regarded as a guarantee for sustainability.
Summary of bilateral results