Lost your Password?
Click Here
Don't have an account?
Register Here
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.
Want to ask a question? Please read our guidance information found here: Submitting a KMS Question
← Back Search KMSThis content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Introduction: This KMS Query is carried out on behalf of General Directorate “Execution of sentences”, Bulgaria in connection with the forthcoming construction of a pilot prison facilitiy, training centre and half way house for the Bulgarian penitentiary system under the project, funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021. In this regards, General Directorate “Execution of sentences”, Bulgaria is seeking to gather learning on whether other penitentiary jurisdictions have an experience in the field of Architecture of European penitentiary training centers and academies and innovative staff training programmes with the questions as follows.
In Austria we already have comprehensive possibilities for training and advanced training. Some prisons have shooting ranges. Possibilities for tactical training and sports are provided in most of the prisons. There are also agreements with other ministries (Interior and Defence) to use their training facilities, which leads to favourable trends and synergy effects.
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?The strategy we pursue does not lead to a requirement of further new facilities.
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?In the Austrian Prison Service Academy, four basic education courses are held in a year, each with 22 trainees per year. For this number of courses, 3 classrooms, 2 seminar rooms for group works, one IT room, one sports hall and a shooting range are in use. Single rooms are offered to accommodate the trainees, if the daily travel to the place of residence would be too far. For the administration of these courses at least 4 offices are necessary for the management and administration of the educational location. There is no separate canteen, however a prison staff canteen is next door.
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.The staffing in the Austrian penal system is characterized by interdisciplinarity and the professional interaction of different professional groups. For each professional group working in the prison system, training courses are provided that are geared towards the respective area of responsibility. In principle, employees can be divided into three main groups according to their area of responsibility, namely the executive, specialist services and administration. Accordingly, the trainings provided for these groups are also specialized and cover the needs of the individual professional groups. The executive (prison officers) is a legally defined security body that is organized according to a military model and is divided into three hierarchical levels: The basic level consists of staff who is employed for general tasks in prisons. The middle level (middle management) is composed of intermediate superiors who are entrusted with command tasks in smaller organizational units (e.g. guard room, inmate department, workshops). The top level of the executive branch is reserved for the management of larger areas of a prison. This level is directly subordinated to the head of the institution and together with him/her and with individual employees of the specialist services (e.g. lawyers, psychologists, doctors) they form the so-called management team. The basic education for executive staff (basic level) lasts 1 year and is divided into theoretical and practical training phases. The education for middle management of the prison guard service lasts 17 weeks and focuses on the fields of law and constitution, law enforcement and executive action as well as leadership, diversity and professional ethics. The executive officer education lasts 20 months and focuses on management and leadership. All civil employees must complete an introductory course lasting 5 days. This training is considered as entry-level qualification and deals with basic topics for working in a prison (e.g. structure of the Austrian penal system, security, etc.). In addition, depending on their future area of responsibility and use, the employees have to complete a specialized training that prepares them for their activities within a prison, for example administrative action as well as other specialized content for the specific field of activity. Depending on the area of activity, these training courses last around 4 months (including the practical training). Basic education courses for academics who are employed as specialized services in the field of care or as lawyers to support the prison director last 12 months and include the focus on leadership and teamwork, law, as well as on other specialized seminars for the respective field of activity. In addition to the trainings mentioned above, the Prison Academy offers supplementary training and further education concerning current topics for the entire prison staff (e.g. changes to legal provisions) or specifically for individual professional groups. 2 overviews concerning the training courses for prison officers and the civil staff are added in German language.
Attachments:
In this moment, we are in the way of organizing the center for the training of prison staff.
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?The plan is foreseen for the short and medium term, and it mainly consists on the use of community facilities, changing their original use and giving them an specific training use for prison staff. The main center is going to be located in Cuenca.
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?The community facilities that are going to be used are suitable both for the training, and for the lodging of the prison staff.
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.See the Annexed information.
Attachments:
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
Latvian Prison Administration is currently implementing the Norway Grants 2014–2021 period programme "Correctional Services" pre-defined project "Establishment of Training centre infrastructure and model prison blocks for training opportunities in the Olaine prison territory" (hereinafter – Project). Within the framework of this project we are building a new Training Centre as well as an open prison block.
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?Project was started on 1st July 2019 and will conclude on 30th April 2024. Within the Project 1. activity "Construction" we are planning and implementing the below mentioned sub-activities: 1.1. Sub-activity "Training centre and the Open prison block". Within the framework of the Project 1.1.sub-activity, it is planned to develop the infrastructure of the Training centre on the adjoining territory of the Olaine prison, with capacity for 150 students. In the infrastructure of the Training centre there would be provided conference hall (200 places), 4 group lesson rooms (ensuring 30 students training places each, with possibility to transform the rooms for smaller group work); computer room (30 students training places, with possibility to transform the room in two parts for smaller group work); sport complex (hand-to-hand combat room, gym (with equipment), electronic shooting range, sports field); practical lesson rooms; rooms for staff, including researchers; rooms for LPA museum; rooms for library/reading-room; dormitory (40 rooms); transport parking lot etc. Indoor sport hall/gymnasium will not be constructed, because for that purpose the Addiction centre sport hall/gymnasium can be used, which is also located in Olaine prison territory. Taking into consideration previously mentioned, the total floor space of the Training centre would be approximately 2500 m2. Outside territory – approximately 8000 m2. The total area of the Training centre – 10500 m2 (The exact Training centre floor/territory space will be determined after the development of the building conceptual design). To provide the students of the Training centre with the opportunity of modern traineeship in Olaine prison, a new open prison block/blocks will be constructed, where the current residents of the open prison block will be placed (~ 50 double cells, living space for inmates, staff workspace etc.), in addition, the adjacent territory of the open block will also be improved. The approximate floor space of the new open prison block – 2500 m2. Outside territory ~ 10000 m2. The exact volume of the open prison block/blocks will be determined during project implementation after the exact costs of the Training centre will be determined as a result of the procurement. Within the framework of the sub-activity it is planned to also finance the designing (including author's supervision) and construction costs (with priority given to the Training center construction), as well as the costs connected with construction inspection of the Training centre and open prison block/blocks. 1.2. Sub-activity "Equipment and inventory procurement". To ensure the functionality of the Training centre and the open prison block/blocks, within the framework of the sub-activity it is planned to purchase equipment, inventory and study materials. In the new Training centre the current equipment and inventory of the Training centre will not be used as it is physically aged/outdated and practically unusable; however, some items, for example, materials connected with the LPA museum exhibition, will be transferred to the new Training centre. 1.3. Sub-activity "Other activities connected with construction". 1.3.1. Work group for developing and assessing the documentation for construction. Within the framework of the sub-activity a work group will be established which will be responsible for developing different types of documentation regarding construction. In the beginning of the project the task of the work group will be to develop technical specifications for the design, construction work and dismantling work planned within the framework of the project. Upon starting the construction, the members of the work group will assess the submitted documentation regarding design and construction. The duties of the work group will also include development of technical specification for the planned procurement of equipment and inventory. In the final stage of the project the work group will have to prepare the documentation regarding putting the building into operation, e.g. internal regulations – fire safety requirements/instruction. The number of work group members and their workload can vary during different stages of the project. In the project budget we have planned the average workload during the project. The number of work group members noted in the project budget is provisional, as in different stages of the project the number of work group members can vary. 1.3.2. Supervision of the construction work. Within the framework of the sub-activity two service contracts will be signed (separately for the Training centre and the open prison block) to provide construction work supervision of the planned construction within the framework of the project. 1.3.3. Insurance. When putting the buildings into operation both the Training centre and the open prison block will be insured. The equipment and inventory purchased within the framework of the project will also be insured. Equipment purchased and buildings constructed with Project financing will be insured for five (5) years (or in accordance with the duration set in the contract for Project implementation) against possible losses caused by fire, theft or other commonly insured against risks. In the case of losses, the received pay-out will be used to restore the damaged item or building, or to purchase equal item or to construct a new building. The buildings and equipment and inventory procured within the framework of the Project will be insured from project budget only during Project implementation. After Project implementation, the constructed buildings and equipment and inventory procured within the framework of the Project will be insured using the LPA resources.
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?Please see answer to question 2.
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.Currently the training process in the LPA Training centre is carried out by 7 staff members – Head of the Training centre/educator, 5 senior educators and 1 senior desk officer/educator. The current restrictive infrastructure and staff capacity allows to provide training for approximately 80 officers per year (data for 2015, 2016 and 2017). The current prison staff training system allows to provide only basic education for the instructors. The Training centre carries out a single adult Professional further education programme “Imprisonment place security”. The target audience of this programme are guards, monitoring officers and junior inspectors. The State Probation Service has developed a system for staff training that ensures the necessary training volume for different employee groups as well as solves the teaching staff capacity issues; however, even for the SPS the issue of providing training infrastructure that is adequate and appropriate for the modern training needs is urgent. LPA in collaboration with the SPS in December 2016 started implementing two European Social Fund projects. Within the framework of the ESF project 3 new staff training programmes for prison staff will be developed and 2 current staff training programmes (LPA and SPS) will be updated, e-learning system will be developed, in addition, numerous other activities connected with strengthening and developing staff capacity will be implemented. Within the framework of the Norway Grants project, in 2020 the Latvian Prison Administration developed a new training program for mentors in order to provide the staff of correctional services with modern education appropriate for the sentence execution. During the development of the training program, the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for mentors were clarified, which in future would help to manage qualification traineeship successfully and efficiently for the students of the LPA Training Centre. The program was given a name – adult non-formal education programme “Qualification traineeship manager for the students of the Training Centre”. The following topics were included in the Mentor training programme curriculum: • Introduction to the curriculum. • Qualification traineeship – a tool for effective acquisition of the educational program and development of professional skills. • Feedback and its application. • Mentor and student preparation for the first and subsequent meetings. • Trust building and strengthening. • Motivation. Self-motivation. Support. Cooperation. • Strategy for achieving goals and objectives in the process of qualification traineeship. • Evaluation. Critical thinking. Decision-making. • The programme was created by specialists from the Latvian Prison Administration in collaboration with project partners from the University College of Norwegian Correctional Service and Romerike Prison. You can learn more about the Norway Grants 2014-2021 period programme by visiting www.norwaygrants.lv or learn more about the Project by visiting https://www.ievp.gov.lv/en/projects/project-establishment-training-centre-infrastructure-and-model-prison-blocks-training-opportunities-olaine-prison-territory.
The General Directorate of the Corps of Prison and Court Guard (hereinafter only “General Directorate”) is currently considering the establishment of a training center for the purposes of the training of prison officers. In the view of this fact, the establishment of the education and training center of the Corps is included in one of the aims in the Draft Concept of the Prison System for years 2021-2030. At the moment, we do not have an internal plan of action for the construction of a new training center.
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?-
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?-
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.Training Center of Corps of Prison and Court Guard (hereinafter only “Training Center”) provides initial training which is obligatory for all unformed prison staff. After adaptation period in a prison of approx. two months, newcomers take up to the Training Center to gain the initial training. The scope of the initial training is 12 weeks and consists of theoretical and practical subjects. Among theoretical subjects, there are service preparation (security measures, duties and responsibilities of the prison officers), law and penology including socio-communication training. Shooting training, basics of self-defence, physical training, marching training, first aid are all part of the practical preparation. The initial training course is finished by the final exam from both practical as well as theoretical subjects. Passing the exams is a condition for the prison staff to continue working for the Corps. Depending on the needs the Corps and career promotion of the prison staff, there are obligatory or compulsory continues training modules. Specialized vocational training is obligatory for all prison officers who are planned to become higher ranked prison officers. There are also some Specific training courses obligatory for dog handlers, justice guards or heads of the shifts. Training courses are developed by the trainers and lecturers of the Training Center. After the proposal of a new training, it is a subject of approval by the Education Council of the General Directorate. When recommended by the Education Council, the new training course is signed by the Director General of the Corps and becomes part of the training activities provided by the Training Center. Suggestions for updates on existing courses are proposed to the Human Resources and Social Security Department of the General Directorate and when approved by their specialists, advanced to the Director General of the Corps. You can find more information related to the training in the Corps on the EPTA website: https://www.epta.info/agency/general-directorate-of-the-corps-of-prison-and-court-guard-sk/
The National Administration of Penitentiaries of the Republic of Moldova has an architectural plan for the construction of a new penitentiary, a model for the national penitentiary system. But in the context of several circumstances, the project did not find its finality. Also, the national system of the penitentiary administration has provided plans for renovation and alignment to the European standards the penitentiary institutions and training centers for penitentiary staff, but also in this case the efforts and financial resources have been reoriented towards the fight against the pandemic. Regarding the training process of the penitentiary staff, it was transferred as much as possible online, with subsequent adaptations and only in cases when it was impossible (practical lessons: methods of intervention, use of firearms etc.).
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?-
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?-
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.-
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.
No
If yes, could you please detail the length of the Plan action/program and the Strategy/approach for the process of building new Prison system training facilities?n/a
Could you please provide with more detailed information about the architecture and the features of the prison training facilities?The premises of the Training Center were renovated during the Twinning project "Support to the Prison System of the Republic of Croatia"; https://mpu.gov.hr/istaknute-teme/projekti/projekti-arhiva/dovrseni-projekti/twinning-projekt-podrska-zatvorskom-sustavu-republike-hrvatske/11114 The Training Center is part of the Prison in Zagreb building and consists of 5 classrooms, an IT classroom, a conference hall, several offices for employees and accommodation facilities with 40 beds. The training center uses the sports hall and shooting range of the Prison in Zagreb.
Could you please provide more detailed information about the initial and continuous trainings curricula and programmes – their contents, the process of their development and the implementation strategy.The development and implementation of training curricula: The content of trainings (training for new employees and basic course) as well as the content of other programs implemented by the Training Center are based on the practical experience of lecturers / trainers who implement programs using the theoretical background as a basis for program preparation. In the development process, it is important to consult with a working group of a number of experts working on the development of material used as a basis for the implementation of the program as well as on the process of preparation in implementation. The programs are continuously adjusted and upgraded, taking into account the feedback of the participants as well as the impression of the lecturers themselves. Content / goals: 1) Basic course: For officers of the judicial police of the prison system for the purpose of training for independent performance of duties in the prison system and for taking the professional exam for the title in the judicial police (ranks). Content: State administration system and criminal law regulations, Psychosocial treatment with prisoners, Judicial police affairs and action, martial arts, weapons and shooting skills, communication skills etc. 2) Course for new employees - Specifics of work in the prison and probation system and the improvement of cooperation The aim is for participants to acquire competencies for lawful, independent and responsible performance of prison system and probation officers, in accordance with the rules of the profession and ethics, while respecting human and fundamental freedoms of prisoners and convicts, as well as protection of other constitutionally protected rights to the demands of the new job in terms of the necessary knowledge, skills and acceptance of standards of work and behavior. Content: First module: introduction to the virtual workshop, presentation of the Directorate for the Prison System and Probation, International Recommendations for the Protection of Human Rights and Psychological Stress and Psychological Support in Crisis Situations Second module: specifics of work with prisoners and convicts from the aspect of: security department, treatment department, department for labor and vocational training of prisoners and education of prisoners and mutual cooperation of these departments and cooperation with other departments within penal bodies, teamwork and communication in teams 3) Dealing with incident situations in working with young people - basic level + advanced level Aim and content of the program: The aim of the program is to raise awareness and recognize their own patterns in work, identify and practice their own coping strategies, define roles, functions and expectations in work, identify and adopt strategies in conflict and incident situations specific to working with young people, and care for yourself and others 4) M.O.S.O.R. Judicial police communication skills in working with young people - basic level + advanced level Aim and content of the program: Awareness of the role of officers in the re-socialization process in the Croatian Prison System, introduction to the characteristics of adolescence, characteristics of young people in penal conditions, introduction to theoretical concepts of communication, awareness and recognition of their own communication patterns and practice of communication tools. 5) Preparation of the discharge procedure Purpose and content: Awareness of the role of officials in the process of resocialization of young people. Youth and specifics of young people in the prison system and probation, institutionalization and network of institutions, release preparation, roles and teamwork in the release process, risk factors for relapse, psychological aspects of release, cooperation with NGOs 6) Leadership skills The aim of the implementation is to adopt and develop basic knowledge and skills in the field of management with a basic adaptation of the program to the specifics of the Croatian prison system. 7) Suicide prevention in the prison system Awareness and recognition of key elements in working with prisoners important for suicide prevention, intervention in case of (attempted) suicide and support for prisoners and officials in the context of the same. 8) Rights and specifics of working with transgender and gender non-normative persons The aim of the program is to sensitize employees as well as to get acquainted with the legal framework, treatment and the specifics of working with transgender and gender non-normative persons. 9) Basic IT skills The aim of conducting the IT course is to expand knowledge and improve computer skills in the staff of the Directorate for the Prison System and Probation and to strengthen competencies in the field of IT literacy.
This content is only available to registered members of EuroPris.