On the 9th and 10th of January 2025, the first transnational meeting of the project ‘Freedom – I love and understand‘ took place in Szczecin, Poland.
This project concerns the creation of a training programme aimed at teachers working with people who are about to be released from prison soon.
The aim of the project is to train teachers in the process of preparing for the release of individuals from prison and to provide them with educational material that will help the released individuals to reintegrate into society.
Day 1: Understanding the Prison System & Employment SupportOn the first day of the meeting, our organisation together with the project coordinator, Tulipan Foundation, visited the detention facilities in the city of Szczecin. There, they had the opportunity to get acquainted with the facilities and the procedures followed in this structure. We also had a chance to meet with the head of the facility and correctional officers to discuss current challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Following this, we visited the city’s employment office, where they spoke with the office manager and some officials. The meeting discussed how the office operates and how they try to help people who have recently been released from prison to reintegrate into society.
Day 2: Structuring the Training Program & Real-Life TestimoniesOn the second day of the meeting, we met with the partners at the Tulipan Foundation’s premises, where we discussed the structure and content of the project. The program will consist of six courses, which will focus on different topics and sub-topics, to provide comprehensive guidance to released individuals.
A highlight of the day was the visit of two formerly incarcerated individuals who shared their personal experiences. Their stories of resilience and reintegration underscored the importance of targeted support and education. These firsthand accounts played a crucial role in shaping the direction of the training materials.
Looking Ahead: 2nd Transnational Meeting in Cyprus
The next transnational meeting of the project will take place on the 3rd and 4th of April in Cyprus, where the partners will visit the Cyprus Central Prison in Nicosia. During this session, they will evaluate the progress of the material and plan the next steps.
Stay tuned for even more!