During the work session presentations regarding best practices from Pecs – Baranya – Hungary were held. Krisztina Katona presented the initiative of Mural Moral Association “Change with art”. Mr. Peter Sholtz / Tett-Hely Youth service: “Teamwork without walls”. Mrs. Katalin Csonkane Utasi / Hungarian Maltese Charity Service: “Village of inclusion”.

The host organization invited the guests to the cultural program “Sights of Pecs” that included mini train tour around the town, guided tour in the centre of the city (Main Square, Mosque, Basilica, Cella Septichora). Later the partners had a bus travel to the Vylyan Vineyards and Winery.

DEPILM_Report_2010-2012
DEPILM_synopsis

Hungarian partners Nevelok Haza Egyesulet developed a Power Point presentation “Integration of convicts in Hungary over the past few decades”. The report discussed the rising crime statistics, a growing number of young offenders, the situation in the field of adult education, as well as cultural aspects, leisure,etc. And programs for the ex-prisoners that are currently lacking public funding.

A social project „Knowledge-Value-Experience“ funded by European Social Fund and implemented in the Czech Republic was also presented along with its social integration program for young ex-convicts and mentoring solutions that were adopted during the project implementation period. Partners had the opportunity to compare the social programs that are applied in each of the participating countries and discuss their effectiveness.

Before the meeting, in the initiative of the Czech Republic partners, Workshop and seminar on the DEPILM topic in the Czech Senate of the Parliament was organized. During the partners meeting Unie katolických žen, o.s. presented the results of the event to the rest of the partners.

During the meeting partners had a chance to visit a unique place – Sisters of Charles de Boromeo home for the elderly, that has previously convicted female employees in its staff (you will find more information about Sisters of Charles de Boromeo in the brochure below (English language)).

The Czech partners organized a cultural program for their guests during which, participants had the opportunity to enjoy the historical views Prague, to know the Czech culture, history and traditional cuisine.

During the meeting it was decided that a meeting in Pecs (Hungary) should take place on the 27th-28th of June, 2012.

Lankstinukas Sisters Charles de Boromeo 1
Lankstinukas Sisters Charles de Boromeo 2

The main subject of discussions was the structure of the methodology. Since the volume of the material is limited, it was decided which information to focus on, i.e. what topics could be the most beneficiary for those re-integrating the labour market and what methods could best serve the employers that are willing to create suitable conditions for former inmates at their companies.

It was decided to pay less attention to the analysis of countries’ legal systems and more on innovative ideas, best practices and currently working and effective systems of labour market integration.

During the meeting Czech partners together with invited guests presented a study conducted in the Czech Republic vividly illustrating the recidivists’ (who were the respondents in the study) socio-economic status, motivation and so on (attached statistical tables in English). It was decided to use a part of the study findings in preparation of the partners’ methodological material.

During the meeting the improvement opportunities of DEPILM website were discussed. It was decided to place references to the project and the project webpage links (URLs) on each of the partners site. It was also decided to publish more information reflecting the progress of the project (message excerpts, photographs, etc.).

The meeting participants had the opportunity to get to know Cypriot traditions, cultural heritage and history during the cultural part of the program.

During the meeting it was decided that a meeting in Prague (Czech Republic) should take place on the 19th-20th of May, 2012.

KIPRAS _ SDMC tyrimo domenys
Klausimynas recidyvistams
Raktiniai zodziai

The first official meeting of the partners was held at Fryshuset Youth Centre on 10th May, where the partners presented their “homework”. All members of the participating organizations produced a report which presented integration into the labour market and social exclusion patterns in their own countries.

The examples of good practice have been addressed and analyzed regarding various aspects, e.g. equal opportunity, gender equality, lifelong learning and so on. The organizers of the meeting (Stiftelsen KFUM Soder Fryshuset, Sweden) presented their methods that are used for working with people who have a criminal past and other marginalized groups of society.

The remaining days of the meeting were devoted for summarizing and presentation of the collected, project progress assessment, the preparation of the draft methodology and planning of the following meetings and future work.

The employment of Ex-prisoners
SVEDIJA _ The employment of Ex-prisoners
EXIT English
depilm_best_practice_110511

During the meeting, the partners shared their roles and would-be contributions to the DEPILM project: Trisys LTD will take care of equal opportunities aspect of the project; Unie katolických žen, o.s. will ensure the aspect of gender equality during the implementation of project activities, will analyze the legal aspects of the socially vulnerable groups and the problems of their integration into the labour market through non-formal lifelong learning; Socialization and Vocational Training Centre’s will analyze the possibilities for integration of vulnerable groups into the labour market through the non-formal education; Nevelok Haza Egyesület has committed to develop and present the best practices of successful integration of former convicts into the labour market, the choice was made based on the wide availability of such practices in Hungary; Stiftelsen KFUM Soder Fryshuset has undertaken the task to provide the studies analyzing the characteristics of the recent integration of the ex-convicts, previous drug abusers, criminal groups (neo-Nazis, etc.).

All the participating organizations committed to collect additional examples of good practice in their countries and to analyze the applicability of such examples. The structure of the future material and methodology was discussed at the event. It was decided to focus on the research and analysis of the latest and most effective examples of best practice.

The partners decided to analyze the preparedness of prisoners for the re-entry of social and professional life upon release and the availability of professional help; to analyze the EU’s policy regarding the former prisoners and their integration into the labour market in each country; to overview the effectiveness of employment and integration currently in place throughout the participating countries, the legal characteristics of such systems; to prepare project leaflets and publicize to project progress via the dedicated web site; to communicate using all means available, e.g. the Internet (e-mail, Skype, etc.); visual material (e.g. photographs) will also be prepared for web site development.