Description
This proposal seeks to address the inadequate supply of training activities and little or no cultural offer within the prison system. It also intends to implement inclusion processes entailing a soft skills certification for employability among inmates. It will use artistic tools such as theatre and music in assessing and certificating skills in order to leverage the process of reintegration into society and to facilitate integration into the labour market. Through games, exercises and improvisations, the youngsters’ groups shall participate in a collective building process that culminates in a final presentation. The project will also enable institutions and professionals to mediate issues facing young people who have been or are currently incarcerated. To be implemented in the north of the country, it aims to disseminate the methodology, at national and international level, by being able to be replicated in prisons or among equally vulnerable groups. It will also include the preparation of a documentary and a manual in Portuguese and English.
Summary of project results
According to data from the Directorate General For Prisons and Social Reintegration (DGRSP), 14 399 individuals are currently deprived of their liberty, of whom less than 5% are women, and 4 060 are under 30 years of age. Number of inmates has been increasing however participation in educational programs is limited to 3 606 inmates. In the Porto Prison there is a waiting list of 120 men to integrate training plans. The rate of recidivism indicated by the DGRSP is 50%, revealing that reinsertion of this group is highly fallible. This project is aimed at young people who are complying with legal measures deprived of their liberty, either in the context of Educational Centers or in Prison Establishments. Priority was given to young people who are up to 6 months before being released, from unfavorable socio-economic contexts, with negative records in formal levels of schooling and / or having experienced difficulties to keep a job. The project was able to train through arts 202 vulnerable young people, in order to improve their employability (by developing hidden talents and self-esteem and social skills), 25 Portuguese trainers and professionals and 20 Norwegian trainers and professionals (the approval of a complementary Bilateral Cooperation Initiative with Nordic Black Theatre created conditions for replication abroad); 8 involved NGOs have improved skills and methodology to deal with this target group. The project initial targets have been met and surpassed regarding the number of trained young inmates. The methodology used in the project was designed by the Faculty of Psychology and Educative Sciences of Porto University, whose researchers have monitored and supervised its implementation. At the end of this process 112 of the 202 young trainees had their skills for employability certified and this is a very significant and innovative achievement as employers are expected to recognise these diplomas to facilitate their professional integration. The book “Art and Citizenship in Prison Context” describes the methodology, experiences and good practices for further replication.
Summary of bilateral results