Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration RECOMMENDATIONS for the development of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration PANEL DISCUSSION Moderator: Ms. Csilla VINCZE Educators’ Centre Association, HU

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Question to prisoners (FROM A STUDY): „In what ways do you need help?” ANSWERS: Improvement of the social system: –Employment possibilities – TO MAKE A LIVING –Living/housing possibilities –Provision of training and education Developing an accepting atmosphere: –Trust, honesty, no prejudice, inspiration to change, shift in puiblic opinion

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Aim: –building of secure human/helping/civil relationships in the penal institution, –gaining of confidence, the establishment of continuous emotional security –preparation to reintegrate: training, improvement of competences –the assistance of an accepting community are vital issues in the reduction of the crisis of release and in the prevention of re-offence.

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Scale of measures: 1.Policy – legal – authorities 2.Community at large 3.Labour market /employers / social welfare 4.Education / vocational training 5.NGO’s: model programmes, experiments 6.Penal institutions: model programmes, experiments 7.Individuals

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Social workers in the penal institutions social development of the prisoners to establish/improve the subjective and objective criteria of reintegration to the society, to train the staff of the penal institution NGO’s, Penal institutions

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Connection and cooperation between the staff of the penal institutions and the aftercare professionals to keep track fo the progress to increase efficiency of supportive care NGO’s, Penal institutions to establish the legal background for these Legal

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations The social care system has to identify the target group similarly to handicapped, homeless etc. they are also underprivileged, who need help: rehabilitation / resocialisation / reintegration Legal

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Identifying different target groups: –long-term punishment (characterised by young age, low schooling, bad health, bad employment chances), –young age prisoners, –women, –prisoners with special needs (migrants, former political prisoners, drug addicts) working out a flexible/adaptive methodology for working with them Legal

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Protection and enhancement of existing social and community ties family, relatives, friends increased number and length of leave from the penal institution the social worker can help in this Community, Penal institutions, Individuals

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Preparation for release individual supportive care and group work by a professional team Following the „life cycle”: within the penal inst. -> during release -> after release NGO’s, Penal institutions, Individuals

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Education, work socialisation, training and vocation –the inmates are low educated and of low social/economical standing, often unemployed –education increases their reintegration to the labour market and to the society. –starting at elementary education, which is essential but not enough. –secondary and vocational education in the penal institutions has to be introduced. –training is not a „hobby” to spend time! Penal institutions, Education

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations The vocation has to be „sellable” on the market survey of labour force needs has to be conducted, monitored and coordinated by a professional team the released citizens are „helpless like leaves in the wind” Legal, Labour market

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Work socialisation training is possible through practice work in the penal institutions has to be made possible Legal, Labour market, Penal institutions

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Special programmes in the institution that aim to develop competences to improve employment chances NGO’s, Penal institutions, Individuals

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Labour authorities and organisations have to be involved in the employment issues of prisoners and former prisoners officially and on a systematic basis the social worker can act as a connection between the individual and the local labour exchange office offering job possibilities Legal, Labour market, NGO’s

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Possible authorities to be involved: Lithuanian Labour Exchange Lithuanian Labour Market Training Authority Institute of Labour and Social Research State Labour Inspection of the Republic of Lithuania

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Legislation has to be made on the benefits of employing former prisoners the employers are reluctant to accept them (prejudice, mistrust, fixed ideas etc.) The labour funds have to provide a state subsidy to promote this process Legal

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Attitude of the employers have to be changed to be more accepting special „marketing” can be done information dissemination (forums, events, handouts, TV-spots etc.) Community, Labour market, NGO’s

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Protected workplaces / social welfare companies they are special: –flexible, –focusing on the employee, –but making profit at the same time. continuous market analysis has to be made to determine: marketable products/services, local/regional benefits (materials, natural resources, know-how etc.) pilot projects, experiments Labour market, NGO’s

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations Special homes/shelters for the newly released have to be set up they provide a short-term solution of housing (one of the biggest problems) while the released citizen takes the first steps. It is a complex service: human relations, housing, labour market services and education/training should be present there in a synergy. Supportive care and psychosocial work can be done until necessary (2-3 months). The rights and decisions are theirs! Feasibility studies and legislation have to be made on this topic. ALL

Development and Implementation of the Practical Model of Gradual Social Integration Recommendations What else? Any contributions?….