Introduction
From 18 to 19 June 2025, the European Penitentiary Training Academies Network (EPTA) held its annual conference at the Samoranovo Training Centre in Bulgaria. For 2025, the General Directorate ‘Execution of Sentences’ from Bulgaria was selected as the current EPTA keyholder and will host the annual conference. The theme for this year’s conference was “How to use training to improve prison staff wellbeing? Building a stable workforce with effective leadership for a safer tomorrow.”
This event highlighted the role of training in supporting prison staff well-being, focusing on the connection between staff well-being, prison staff training, and effective leadership through participants’ interactions. Working in prison services is demanding, with staff regularly facing stressful and volatile situations that require resilience. The physical and emotional toll on prison officers can lead to burnout, anxiety, and impaired decision-making, affecting both staff and prisoners. Ensuring the well-being of prison staff is therefore essential for maintaining a functional, humane, and effective prison system.
