The project aims at improving, with support from Norwegian partners, the overall performance of the Romanian prison and probation systems, so as to facilitate the social reinsertion of convicts.
Despite the improvements registered in the Romanian correctional system, there are still challenges and needs that have to be addressed concerning detention and probation infrastructure, the development of specific intervention tools/ programmes for working with offenders, as well as the availability of sufficient and adequately trained staff.
In this respect, the project will address the organizational management, working tools, overall capacity, reintegration processes, human resources, working and detention conditions, awareness raising, as well as issues concerning Roma and other social exclusion risk categories of offenders. A special focus will be on developing specific social reintegration interventions in 2 pilot correctional centers, where 630 new detention places will be built in line with the European Prison Rules. Also, the project aims at continuing the improvement of the working conditions of the probation staff and the functioning of the probation system by providing the necessary investments for this purpose.
The project shall directly benefit to inmates and former inmates, offenders, including persons under probation supervision, minor and young offenders, with a special focus on Roma and other social exclusion risk categories of offenders, as well as to prison and probation staff.
The project is built on the Norwegian „seamless principle” and it envisages its translation in the Romanian correctional system. This should lead to a close structured cooperation between the Romanian prison and probation systems, as well as to a strengthened collaboration with the local authorities, to ensure an integrated approach of the specific interventions and to establish a smooth transition of offenders from prison via the probation service and into the community.