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Welcome to the EuroPris Knowledge Management System. The table below shows questions and responses from European National Agencies. Select a question for more information or use the filters on the left to narrow down questions based on Agency or Category.
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Introduction:
• Vocational Training Courses with final apprenticeship examination, such as Metal Working, Plumbing, Carpentry, Painting, Bricklaying, Bakery, Restaurant specialist, Chef • Intensive Training for skilled worker: This training gives inmates the opportunity to acquire a fully recognized vocational training in different professions and improves prisoners’ employability upon release and reducing re-offending. The program targets mainly inmates who did not complete a certified education, especially early school leavers and young people. It is aimed at persons serving a shorter period of sentence or at long-term inmates in the period prior to release. The inmates have to apply for a training place – each inmate selects the profession for the training course he is interested in, there is no obligation to follow a specific course. • Master craftsman examination • General Certificate of secondary lower school • School-leaving examination of higher secondary school • University studies • E-learning programs • European Computer Driving Licence • Language Courses (especially German as foreign language)
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The training is carried out according to the general training regulations (‘ordinances’) of the respective vocations, which describe the occupation, the competencies to be acquired in each year and the regulations for the conduct of examination. Theses ordinances are updated regularly at the initiative of the social partners, following an evaluation of labour market needs
There is a range of vocational training courses offered across the prison sites in Northern Ireland: • Cookery • Bricklaying • Hairdressing and Beauty • Horticulture • Industrial Cleaning • Hospitality and Catering • Joinery • Plastering/Tiling • Painting & Decorating • Metal work • Furniture instructing • Joinery • Tiling • Computer technician • Food Safety & Hygiene • Craft
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?We recently developed a new curriculum in conjunction with Further Education Colleges in Northern Ireland and took their advice into what to offer. We linked all our courses to employment opportunities both pre and post release and the transferability of skills. In addition, we took into account the social and economic situation in Northern Ireland and further afield as well as demand and the suitability of a course for delivery in a prison.
Vocational Training courses are organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth. Some courses of vocational training are: plumbing, hairdressing, wood work, erector, baby-sitter, social assistance, horticulture, touristic guide, family tourism etc.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The beginning of a new course is associated with the process of evaluating the needs of inmates seen in the perspective of their reintegration and consultations with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth which approves the curricula of vocational trainings and assesses the needs of the market for certain professions. If the proposal to launch a new course comes from the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth, the convicts are informed and their opinions are assessed. If the proposal to launch a new course comes from convicts or results to be needed during the evaluation of their needs, a consultation process is carried out with the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth if there is an approved curriculum for the course proposed and if this course is consistent with the market needs.
The Irish Prison Service offers a wide range of vocational training courses in its prisons, including: Catering and bakery Joinery and carpentry Print Braille Computer skills Fabric Laundry Services Horticulture Metalwork Construction, brickwork Industrial cleaning Painting and decorating Waste management & Recycling Gym Instructor
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The key factors to be taken into account will include: the existing skills base and interests of prisoners the availability of suitably qualified workshop training staff the availability of suitablle facilities
The Scottish Prison Service deliver a number of Vocational Training courses (which are highlighted below). These courses fall into two general categories, firstly there are structured courses where individuals receive tutoring in respect to a curriculum in a very structured and controlled manner. In general terms the courses last approximately 12 weeks and are restricted to small groups of 10 prisoners to one instructor. In the second category prisoners are assessed towards awards as part of their general work. With assessments taking place as and when the individual is deemed ready by the instructor. In both instances the individual will receive qualifications relevant to the occupational norm. Vocational training delivered Qualifications Hairdressing SVQ Grounds/Recycling: Trade Qualifications (Waste smart) Laundry: SVQ level 2/C&G Guild of Launders Catering: REHIS/C&G 701-702 Intermediate food hygiene Industrial Cleaners: BICs/SVQ Gardens: SVQ and trade qualifications Bike workshop: Velotech Gold certificate Wood Group: NPA/C&G PAT Testing: C&G Bricklaying: NPA Motor craft: Equipment Supplier trained Painter/Decorating: SVQ/C&G Plumbing: NPA Metal Shop: SVQ. Forklift: RITIB General Purpose Party: SVQ Construction Skills CSCS Music/Radio Workshop: Qualified Sound Engineering. Wood Shop PMA Key Descriptors C&G City and Guilds BICS British Institute of Cleaning Services SVQ Scottish Vocational Qualification RTITB Road Transport Industry Training Board NQ National Qualification NPA National Progression Awards REHIS Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland CSCS Construction Skills Certification Scheme PMA Production Manufacturing Award
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?When considering activating any new Vocational course the following criteria is considered. Will the course enhance the employability prospects of the individual? Can the course be delivered by SPS staff or to be contracted to external providers what is the likely outcomes achievable How long will the course take to deliver, the cost analysis benefit of the course and will it be sustainable. Will the course deliver soft or hard skills Would the course gain recognised qualifications, appropriate up-skilling and realistic training to the individual and will it suit market needs. The external credibility and recognition. Will the course support other prison regime activities. Will the new activity introduce any security implications to the prison environment
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Art. 42, paragraph 1 of the "Regulations containing provisions on the Penitentiary Act and on measures entailing restrictions on, and deprivation of, personal liberty" (Decree of the President of Republic 30th June 2000, n. 230), provides that: "The prison governors shall favour the participation of inmates in vocational training courses, according to the needs of the prison population, both nationals and alien nationals, and to demand of the labour market. To such end, the governors shall promote agreements with the regional authority and competent local bodies. Under the last paragraph of Article 21 of the Penitentiary Act, courses may be held totally or partially, with special reference to practical courses, outside the institutions." These courses have to facilitate and support prisoners' reintegration in the labour market at the end of their sentence. According to the possibilities of the prisons and of local companies, courses can be organised for: carpentry, hairdresser, cook, electrician, technician for air conditioning systems, baker, confectioner, etc.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?Art. 20, paragraph 1 of the Penitentiary Act provides that: "1. In penal institutions, assignment to work and participation in vocational training courses by prisoners and internees shall be encouraged at any rate. For this purpose, manufacturing activities organised and directly managed by public or private enterprises may be instituted, and vocational training courses may be established, organised and carried out by public firms, or by private firms in agreement with the "Region".
The CIRE is a public company under the Ministry of Justice responsible for vocational training, productive employment and labor integration of adults and children subjected to penal measures. From his direction of training and insertion CIRE develops, on the one hand, the plan of training for employment (based either on obtaining an official certificate of professionalism or not) in prisons and juvenile justice in Catalonia and, moreover, training related to the activity of the CIRE (continuous training). The training program leading to professional certificates offers the following specialties: • Auxiliary operations of recording and processing of data and documents • Operations of Plumbing & Heating-domestic air conditioning. • Alterations and adaptations of garments and textile and leather articles. • Welding electrode coated and TIG. • Basic operations of restaurant and bar. The training program without certificate offers the following specialties: • Repair of buildings Maintainer: electricity, gardening, plumbing and heating, and building • Basic Skills: Learning to learn The Training program related to the activity of the CIRE is training capsules prior to the incorporation into productive workshops in prisons or outside prison. The specialties are: • Trolley operator • Bakery • Shop • Laundry • Basic kitchen • Kitchen deepening • PRL • Auxiliary forest.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The main activities comprising the project are: a) Design of a plan of training for employment suited to the needs of the labor market. Training program aimed at certifying the professionalism of the people subject to legal action and / or to obtain a qualification issued by the SOC (Employment Service of Catalonia). Permanently adapt training given to sectorial and regional needs of the productive system. b) To organize a range of degrees and professional certificates structured in modules, with reference to the Catalogue of professional qualifications of Catalonia. Increase the qualification and professional skills of people for their return to productive context. c) Select students / participants most suitable according to their professional skills and personal needs, concerns and motivations. d) Run and develop training in the various prisons of Catalonia - Technical-training, required for developing jobs in different professional areas, -Transversal training, through which it promotes the acquisition of basic personal skills (autonomy, availability, organizational skills, ability to work in teams, etc.). - Additional training, which, as its name suggests, reinforces technical and transversal training (risk prevention, literacy, job placement and job search techniques, environmental awareness, gender equality, etc.). e) Working practices of the different training specialties: implementing the job through experience in the production context. Learning a job combining theoretical training with practice. f) To issue the certificates of professionalism or competence units by the Public Employment Service of Catalonia for maximum professional qualifications and economic sectors of the current labor market. These certificates accredit officially with the professional skills that enable the individual to develop a work activity. g) Individually and continuously supervised step training program for students and identify improvement actions. h) Derive to the job vacancies of CIRE those students who are ready to join the labor market, both judicial and professional. A bridge between prison and labor market in order to incorporate them into the jobs offered by our production network. i) Co-Responsibility between the Catalan public administration and economic, social and occupational agencies, to reintegration processes of individuals subject to penal measures.
The education of prison staff in Norway: To be a prison officer in Norway the candidate must be at least 20 years old, show mental maturity, good physical condition, decent health, never sentenced and have B type driving license. The basic formal requirement to participate in the selection is to have a secondary education. This level of education is also sufficient for promotion. Training takes place in the academy, which is directly subordinate to the Ministry of Justice. Its main task is the elementary education of qualified prison staff, continuing education to meet the needs of prison units, research that contributes to the development of training and education, best practices and making good decisions and technical competence. Norwegian prison officers are recruited and trained centrally by KRUS. Each year a recruitment process, preceded by advertising in the press and other media is organized. There are approximately 1200 to 1 500 applicants every year. About 500 applicants are invited to a recruitment day. Selection procedure consists of three elements: the writing task, physical fitness test and an interview. During the multi-level casting about 200 people are chosen directly by a board consisting of the director and recruitment officer from KRUS and representative from two region administrations and the leaders from the employers two Unions. The education of prison officers is a two-year basic training. It begins with a theory semester at KRUS. Then it is followed by two practical/theoretical semesters in a training prison and the education ends with a theory semester at KRUS. The main topics of the education is; criminology; law; ethics and professionalism; safety- and security work; environmental work and re-socialization to society In addition, the students have to pass an English test and a physical function test at the end of their education. The education of Norwegian prison officers are based on the principles from problem based learning where the students are divided into smaller fixed groups and where the role of the teacher is focused more on tutoring than on lecturing. Through practical and learner-centered situations, the students get the opportunity to test out their practical skills, theoretical knowledge and attitudes under the guidance and supervision of the teacher. In line with problem- and situation-based, learning the two theoretical semesters focuses on recreating the practical context in which the theoretical knowledge are to be applied in. The different experiences from the practice field are crucial for the student’s education, both practical and theoretical. The Correctional Service Staff Academy KRUS educates prison officers in Norway, and as the only educational institution is located in Oslo. However, for more than two of the four semesters (semesters 2 and 3) the students are working at an approved training prison with a combination of instruction and practice in prison. Here is the description of 2-year study in KRUS First semester – a theoretical semester at KRUS During first semester of studies, the students are familiarized with three general topics consisting of: the penal law and other legal topics, issues of safety and security and environmental work and rehabilitation. The semester ends with a written exam on criminal knowledge and issues of ethics and professionalism. In June students, spend a three-week training period in one of prisons where they learn and do practical tasks. Finally, they do a summer service, which is usually six-week practice, and have a three-week vacation period. Second semester – a practical and theoretical semester at selected training prisons. The second semester implement a combination of theory and practice, done by a training prison in groups of approx. 12-20 students per prison. The students work in the prison with tasks of prison officers and have an assigned tutor during the entire period. Working hours vary according to a work plan that mainly consists of daytime afternoon - and weekend shifts. In addition, students have two theoretical teaching days in the training prison weekly. During this, semester students also focus on three topics: safety, security, environmental work, rehabilitation, penal law, and other legal topics. The semester ends with the exam in the form of a written report, thematically consistent with the issues of safety and security. The professional work includes control and restraint techniques, environmental activities, such as implementation and planning of activities with the prisoners and participating in a general drug control and inspection. Both require analysis and reflection of security, law issues and rehabilitation. Third semester - practical a theoretical semester at selected training prisons. The Third semester is similar to the second and focuses on teaching: safety, security, environmental work, rehabilitation, penal law, and other legal topics. The semester ends with the exam on safety and security issues. The professional work includes cell search and writing a group based reflection paper. Summer service in the second year of study consists of six weeks of work and three weeks of holiday, and can be executed in all prison and units in the country. This distribution of students are according to reports of staff needs at the regions level. Fourth semester - theoretical semester at KRUS. During the Fourth semester students continue their education on penal law and other legal topics, safety and security and environmental work and rehabilitation. The semester ends with the exam on sentence law, other legal topics and environmental work with reintegration. Students also participate in study visits in Norway, Sweden, Denmark or England. The education ends with a certificate distribution late November, and then starting of the 12 months duty service from December. Those receiving diplomas from prison education undertake a year's duty in any of the country's prisons. Education supports by an e-learning platform, where students can find teaching and multimedia materials, contact the teacher and peers, and solve the tasks, tests and games in order to be better prepared for the final tasks. The last important pillar of the Norwegian correctional staff education is the continuation of the unified plan of training after taking the post in the penitentiary unit. The officer is the most important element of the system, and his or her adequate education is very crucial. Hence, there is the time for self-study, regular and planned improvement, also in the forms of distance education while in service .
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?Some factors that are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course: Recent years shows a rapidly development of almost every area of society also in the field of Prison services. Prison services in many countries also gradually transform to adapt to the demands posed by the 21st century. It also involves a change of tasks of the service. The work situation for the staff in the correctional services has changed over the last years. First, there has been a change in the prison population. The thief, murderer and criminal violence prisoners are the same, but in addition, there is organized crime, gang crime, drug-related crime, financial crime, internet crime, terrorism and much more to deal with. In this situation, the society expected more focus on the content of the sentence and the rehabilitation of the prisoners. One could argue with great emphasis that the education of the prison staff has not kept up the pace with the development of the crime situation in recent years. The prison staff need to be able to solve the complex tasks they face, and we have to give them the knowledge and the tools they need to increase the safety of the community while delivering a rehabilitated prisoner to the open society. The educational development has been great over the past years. A number of old and new learning theories have gained a foothold in school, university and college campuses in many countries. New learning methods have been tried and found their place in the teaching process. In particular, the development of digital media like LMS tools (Learning Management System) and methods like e-learning and blended learning contributed to this. Preparing employees and officers to effectively and safely perform their duties, respecting the rights and dignity of inmates and their effective rehabilitation require continuous adjustment of the contents, forms and methods of training in accordance with the ideas of Lifelong Learning and the use of electronic media in this process.
Prisoners can complete a vocational qualification or parts of it in the following fields of education: - surface treatment (painter) - metalwork and machinery - construction - horticulture - upholstery and interior decoration (upholsterer/interior decorator) - hotel and restaurant services - catering - property maintenance - vehicle technology - cleaning services - textile and clothing production - bookbinding - wood processing - agriculture - information and communications technology In addition to vocational education aiming for a qualification, many prisons arrange pre-vocational education preparing for vocational studies. Pre-vocational education is meant for prisoners who need preparatory instruction before studying for a qualification due to, for instance, poor study skills. On certain conditions, prisoners placed in open prisons can also study in a vocational institution outside the prison.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?In Finland, the education of prisoners is arranged by educational institutions operating outside the prison. The Ministry of Education and Culture is mainly responsible for the funding. Apprenticeship training is arranged in cooperation with the prison so that the outside educational institution is in charge of the theory lessons and the prison work supervision is in charge of the on-the-job learning. The educational institution gives the prisoner a certificate for the training, which does not indicate that the training has taken place in prison. When we start planning new vocational education, the main things that we have to take into account are the prisoners' educational needs and the general employment situation in society. It is important to arrange such vocational education that enables the prisoners to find employment after release. Vocational education is often linked to the work activities of the prisons, which guides the planning of the education. When we plan the new education, we define the responsibilities of the educational institution and the prison (e.g. who pays for equipment and materials).
Following vocational trainings were conducted in the prison system of the Republic Croatia (penitentiaries and prisons) in 2015: training for elementary catering tasks, training for elementary cooking tasks, training for vegetables growers, training for fruit growers, training for beekeepers, training for operators on a personal computer and training for painter decorators. During previous years, prisoners were trained for other elementary tasks with emphasis is on the practical training, such as: training for barbecue tasks, training for preparing simple meals, leafy pies and pizzas, hardwood floor installation tasks, wood processors-carpenters, wood processors-coopers, animal breeders, fruit producers - growers, farmers - vegetable growers, assemblers of metal structures, forklift operator and welders, chef assistant, waiter assistant, mason assistant, machines and structural installer and tractor driver. Upon successful completion of the program, the learner received an official document (diploma or certificate of qualification) which is entered into the work book and from which it is not evident that it was obtained in a penal institution.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The decision related to organization and the type of vocational training is based on the needs of the labor market or the needs of the penitentiary/prison, and it is related to the motivation and interest of prisoners, and the financial and organizational opportunity of penal institutions in the current year, on the other hand. Prisoners involved in the training have to meet following requirements: primary school education at least, meet the health requirements identified for specific occupation, risk assessment, especially when it comes to training for occupations whose conduct practical work requests stay in semi-open or open conditions
Vocational training in prisons is generally delivered by the contracted Offenders’ Learning and Skills Service (OLASS) providers. There are also a number of specialist vocational training opportunities in some prisons run in conjunction with employers such as Timpsons (British retailer specialising in shoe repairs, key cutting & engraving, as well as dry cleaning & photo processing) and Halfords (British retailer of car parts, car enhancement, camping, touring and bicycles). Examples of vocational training course areas are as follows: Catering & Hospitality (including Barista training) Warehousing Business & ICT Radio production Renewable Energy Industrial Cleaning Motor Mechanics/Bicycle repair Construction (e.g. Painting & Decorating, Bricklaying, Plastering) Enterprise for those interested in self employment Maths, English and other relevant qualifications such as customer service are often embedded into vocational training to ensure learners obtain maximum benefit from their engagement.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The curriculum for any one prison is reviewed and agreed upon between the prison Governor and the OLASS provider at least once a year, based on the following: • Identification of learners’ needs (sentence length, areas to which they will be released, age, Maths/English levels, extent to which they have had employment prior to being in custody, previous qualifications (level and nature)). • Identification of relevant labour market information (growth employment sectors and/or those in which replacement jobs are anticipated). • Funding availability. • Prison physical space availability and potential to develop further. Other relevant partner organisations such as the National Careers Service will also be involved in the curriculum review process. Discussions around potential new vocational training courses would be expected to feature in this curriculum review process. Depending on funding/space available and staff availability/expertise, new courses may be offered as replacement or additional provision to learners. Appropriate plans will be developed to ensure that learners on any course being discontinued will be able to complete their qualification, while other practicalities such as recruitment/re-training of teaching staff are managed appropriately.
The Danish Prison and Probation Service currently has the following vocational Training Courses available: Painting and decorating, electrician, carpentry, cooking, nutrition, metal working, industrial engineering, forestry technology, brick layer, horticulture and agriculture
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?When activating new Vocational Training courses the Danish Prison and Probation Service takes into consideration the financial and logistic possibilities and limitations within the organization and the institutions. This includes the physical environments of the institutions in terms of e.g. classrooms and workshops as well as the staff capacity. The Danish Prison and Probation Service also aim to have a diverse range of programs and courses in order to accommodate the needs and requests of the inmates. Furthermore, the qualifying aspects of the training courses and the demand for labor are essential factors being considered, as the objective of Vocational Training Courses is to give the inmates the best possible conditions to succeed in finding employment upon their release.
Vocational training courses are available for the hotel and restaurant sector, building and object coaters, dry construction, painters and varnishers, metall working and welding, wood mechanics, garden and landscaping and hairdresser available.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?The implementation of new vocational training courses depend of the needs of the regional labour market and the skills and needs of the inmates.
In the Training centre of the Latvian Prison Administration of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia the professional further education program “Prison security” is being currently implemented. The professional training courses included in the program are as follows: • Introduction to training and organizational issues; • The history of the implementation of sentences and the penitentiary system in Latvia; • The basics of law; • Basics of criminal law; • Basics of Penitentiary law; • Professional ethics; • Legal relations of the personnel; • Procedures for Holding under Arrest; • Internal regulations of a place of imprisonment; • Supervision in places of imprisonment; • Security in places of imprisonment; • Weapons and shooting; • Professional physical preparedness; • Procedure of using special equipment in places of imprisonment; • First aid; • Basics of penitentiary psychology; • International normative acts regarding the field of criminal punishment execution; • Work with specific inmate groups; • Crime prevention in places of imprisonment; • Basics of record keeping and completing service documentation; • Business games. The program is completed in 960 hours. After completing the program, one then needs to complete the qualifying practice that is 380 hours long.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?When starting a new group for this program, priority is given to those officers that have recently started service in one of the places of imprisonment and those who have been highly motivated to develop their career in the penitentiary field. There are no other new courses available as this is the only official vocational training program currently in use.
Art. 42, paragraph 1 of the "Regulations Containing Provisions on the Penitentiary Act and on Measures Entailing Restricitions on and of Personal Liberty" (Decree of the President of the Republic of 30th June 2000, n. 230), provides that: "The prison governors shall favour the participation of inmates in vocational training courses, according to the needs of the prison population, both nationals and alien nationals, and to the demand of the labour market. To such end, the governors shall promote agreements with the regional authority and competent local bodies. Under the last paragraph of Article 21 of the Penitentiary Act, courses may be held totally or partially, with special reference to practical courses, outside the institutions." These courses have to facilitate and support prisoners' reintegration in the labour market at the end of their sentence. According to the possibilities of the prisons and of local companies, courses can be organised for: carpentry, hairdresser, cook, electrician, technician for air conditioning systems, baker, confectioner, etc.
What kind of factors are being conceived when activating a new Vocational Training Course?Art. 20, paragraph 1 of the Penitentiary Act provides that: "In penal institutions, assignment to work and participation in vocational training courses by prisoners and internees shall be encouraged at any rate. For this purpose, manufacturing activities organised and directly managed by public or private enterprises may be instituted, and vocational training courses may be established, organised and carried out by public firms, or by private firms in agreement with the "Region".