1. Hungary Váltó-sáv Alapítvány
Training in prison
Hungary
Váltó-sáv Alapítvány

2. Aspects general presentation of Hungary’s criminal policy
general summary of the population of detainees, the regimes, security levels, special groups of detainees
reintegration programs in the country, within that the state of education
Structure and range of trainings in the prisons of the country (formal, informal)
“what should be”

3. 1. Criminal policy in Hungary
New penal codex with new approach and new concept (2013) but:
Penal policy is hardening
„Three strikes” principle
Correctional detention (5-90 days) also in PI
Reintegration officer – inside the PI
HPSH in Budapest – decentralised Pis
National and regional PI – serving houses for execution
County Pis – remand houses for pre charge detention
Overcrowded Pis – average 141%

4. 2. Prison population

8. Continous increase since 2008, some decrease in 2015: 18062
7,58% women (1370)
7,9% under 18 yrs (1336)
Age 1-45 yrs 45%
Trend: juvenile decreasing, adult increasing
Regimes: Strict, medium, light, security levels: I-IV.
Pre-trial detainee
Covicted: 70%, mainly medium regime
50% of prisoners with first crime
4% from abroad (2% from EU countries)
Specific groups: psycho-social blocks (sexual criminals, handicapped can not be kept with other criminals), drug-prevention block, life sentence block (Szeged, 47 prs in 2013)
Elderly: 2,8%

9. 3. Reintegration Education, training Work/job Accomodation
Human relationships

10. Education – school system
Primary school, secondary school, higher education
Vocational trainings (NQR) – professions built on 8 and/or 10 year education, profession groups (continously changing)
Continously improving tendency
Primary school in every PI, secondary school and NQR in most of them
Higher education in PI (Szeged, social scineces 32 prs in 2012, IT-librarian) + other colleges

11. Training – alternative methods
Adult education – certificate (training program, legal regulations)
Trainings, goups – competency development
Courses (only a part of an NQR-training)
Study groups

12. Projects Education/trainings are mainly realised in projects
Financed locally and by EU
Project approach (continuity questionable)
Priority, national (including 59 NQR trainings) – but no publicity so far (closed 31/10/2015)
Standard projects – actually implemented by an NGO. – NQR trainings VSA:
Cook training (the 1st in HU)+ office assistant training - 18 prs (09/11/11-31/07/14)
Complex IT training + office assistant 18 prs ECDL 10 prs (01/04/13-30/03/2015)
Other labour market training 49 prs

13. Challenges, questions
Labour market situation: no forecast, no skill shortage report by employment centres, difference in location of PI and release
Accelerated trainings: less experience, less real knowledge, quality of trainings uncertain because of security of PI
Labor market value of trainings built on 8 or 10 years is different
Missing basic competencies make vocational trainings impossible/hard (comprehension, mathematical competencies, learning methodology, understanding)
Secondary school graduation not supported : takes long, not cost-effective, less visible – but more effective from reintegration aspect

14. Challenges, questions
Alternative learning methodologies not or hardly supported (e.g. VSA: unity of secondary school education and supportive work)
Teachers and trainers working in PI’s are not prepared for special target group and special location from didactic and methodology point of view
Missing IT competencies disadvantaged position, lack of opportunities
Limited methodological repertoire: limited opportunities for e-learning, cooperative learning methods, etc trainings based on verbal communication and printed materials are preferred)
Lack of foreign language trainings (lack of possibilities)

15. VSA – trainings, education
Competency trainings – Competencies in focus (20 hrs, 5 areas: comprehension /communication, maths, problem solving/thinking, learning methodology, social and life management – adult education)
Also in groups
Other trainings for adults:
Communication and self-knowledge training– 30 hrs.
Peer counselling training – 30 hrs,
Ttolerance improving and anti-discrimination training – 10 hrs,
IT competencies – 50 hrs
Others: Focus on freedom – preparation for release (12 meetings)
Individual competency development (VSA Database)
Art therapies, personal development (literature, creative writing, board game therapy)
Change Program – secondary school education + supportive work
Education-training – method in supportive work

16. Employment in PI In 2014 80% of male detainees PI self maintenance
Distorting data: includes education/training as well

17. SPACE data Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Hungarian – similar data
Increasing tendency
Male detainees rate above EU countries average (total number, overcrowding, suicide, etc)
Foreign male detainees – low, approx. 2% (Hungary 3,5%, other EU countries around 30%)