EQUAL The Chance for the Sentenced National registration No.:21/04-I/ SK- 64 implemented from March 1, 2005 to June 30, 2008

Project author - leaderpartner A team of specialist from the Consulting and Information Center EDUKOS in Dolný Kubín (Orava region) – a non-governmental organization accredited for work with high-risk groups, providing education and social consulting. EDUKOS has also experience in creation and implementation of international projects.

Members of the development partnership  The village of Spišský Hrhov, Spiš region – municipality which creates good conditions for all categories of its residents and has valuable experience in working with Romany population.  A young offender correctional institution in Sučany, Turiec region – serves the needs of the whole of Slovakia and has considerable experience in working with juvenile delinquents

Incentives for the project 1. current trends in criminality, increase in sociopathic behaviour (vandalism, domestic and school violence, violence in the army units, increase in drug abuse, child prostitution and pornography, antisocial behaviour related to political extremism, racism, anti- Semitism etc.) which can often be indirectly attributed to socio- economic changes 2. decreasing average age of juvenile delinquents 3.social problems connected with transformation and decentralization of the society, especially money shortage, lack of equipment and facilities, inadequate legislation and human resources 4. supranational problem

Project description Focus on : 1.Creating suitable conditions for introducing the new features of the Penal Code – previously unknown in Slovakia – alternative punishment- possibility to serve a sentence outside custody (education of young offenders, staff, the general public) 2.Activities contributing to crime prevention, reinforcing habits and attitudes necessary for proper life

The main objectives of the project  combating prejudices and discriminatory practices against serving and released offenders  helping them reintegrate into society and find employment  paving the way for the new features of the Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure

Target groups: Young offenders NGOs and other organisations from various spheres Romany community, involved in helping juvenile delinquents Municipality and the general public The police, public prosecution, courts, probation and mediation officers Mass media Convict‘s families and relatives

Project activities Monitoring Preparing clients for the labour market Establishment of the Consulting and Information Center (CIC) Creation of a multimedia classroom in Sučany Advertising campaigns in media

Project activities - continued International cooperation activities Preparing conditions for introduction of alternative punishments

Monitoring Contacting and informing all concerned in the project, creating a database of potential clients, committing experts and volunteers, conducting a survey examining the public opinion regarding alternative punishments.

Preparing clients for the labour market By educating and training juvenile delinquents during the term of their sentence as well as after their release we help them prepare for effective employment seeking, develop the key skills and competences essential for succeeding in the labour market, thus increasing client‘s employability.

Establishment of the Consulting and Information Center We established a center in which persons released from correctional institutions, endangered persons and persons closest to them can get support in solving their problems, where they are helped to find new interests, start a new self-reliant and wholesome existence and overcome problems they are faced with. In cooperation with the partner institutions – the police, schools, municipality, etc., we identify potential young delinquents, we teach them how to lead a self-reliant and wholesome life, we lead them to their own activity, self- awareness, recognition of risk factors threatening them and of means of avoiding or confronting them.

Creation of a multimedia classroom in Sučany The purpose was to enable the young offenders serving their sentences in Sučany to acquire skills in using computers, thus improving their employability already before their release.

Advertising campaigns in mass media We aim to enhance awareness and involvement of NGOs, municipalities, and the general public with regard to penitentiary and post-penitentiary care, importance, implications and possibilities of alternative forms of punishment in everyday life.

Supranational activities Two supranational cooperation accords: LINK TO LIFE DAIDALOS Partners from France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Lithuania Sharing know-how and positive experience and creation of a joint product

Sharing positive experience in the field: Drug-addiction therapy in and outside custody Work reintegration, cooperation of the public and private sectors in facilitating employment Creating jobs for residents with multiple problems through creating municipal enterprises Financial and material sustainability for former convicts, options for finding accommodation and employment Positive relations between employers and penitentiary institutions with regard to employing their inmates. Models of integration into the working process. Strategy of building social welfare flats.

Creating suitable conditions for introduction of alternative punishments We organized seminars and training courses in collaboration with the Slovak Judicial Academy – we train not only professionals – judges, probation and mediation officers, but also members of municipalities, NGOs, private enterprises and other organizations involved in application of alternative punishments (forced labour, home confinement), and we assess the systems‘ contributions and inherent risks.

Sustainability of the project purpose Prepared general public and professionals, functioning partnerships within penitentiary and post-penitentiary sphere, passing of the amended Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure and Act No. 305 on Social and Legal Protection of Children

Authorizations: Accreditation of the Ministry of Labour, Social Welfare and Family to carry out social and legal child protection measures and social welfare counselling (Section 11, 12 paragraph 3 and 4, Section 14, 15 paragraph 2 of the Act No. 305) Accreditation of the Ministry of Education of April 9, 2001, No. 1353/0424/2001/7/1 to provide educational activity - course “ Effective Work with Clients“ Accreditation of the Ministry of Education of October 9, 2003, No. 1353/6787/2003/272/1 to provide educational activity – course “Motivation Training“ Accreditation of the Ministry of Education of December15, 2006, No. 1353/36098/2006/379/1 to provide educational activity “Resocialization Program“