IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF Help e.V.'S RESOCIALIZATION PROGRAMME (Improvement of the treatment programmes in correctional institutions for adults and juveniles - SOE03-19)

Kolaković-Bojović, Milica and Batrićević, Ana (2020) IMPACT ASSESSMENT OF Help e.V.'S RESOCIALIZATION PROGRAMME (Improvement of the treatment programmes in correctional institutions for adults and juveniles - SOE03-19). Institute of Criminological and Sociological Research, Belgrade.

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Abstract

The success of offender rehabilitation is influenced by institutional treatment and social climate with the focus on post-penal care. Both, education/vocational programs and post-penal care were introduced in Serbia after World War II and over time they changed and evolved; more tangible progress has been made in terms of the rehabilitation compared with the post-penal care where a clear legislative framework and efficient inter-institutional and cooperation with CSOs is still missing, while the low number of CSOs operate in the sector exclusively project-based. Developed, implemented and recognised as the one of the leading initiatives in such an environment, four stages Help e.V. support within the resocialisation programme, covering the period from September 2014 until December 2019 were subject of this Assessment. Within the analysed period, Help e.V. has provided significant support to the correctional institutions through the procurement of equipment necessary for the working engagement of inmates, accompanied with complementary training for CIs’ staff and inmates to enable them to use the equipment. In parallel, numerous trainings, workshops and other capacity building activities have been provided to the inmates and CIs’ staff to foster rehabilitation and reintegration, reduce risks of suicide, self-injuries and recidivism, support and develop personal competences, promote creativity, self-respect and self-confidence and enable more efficient social reintegration after being released. In addition to this, significant support to self-employment of ex-inmates has been provided through the procurement of necessary equipment and provision of trainings. This component made the programme well accepted and highly appreciated by PA and the direct beneficiaries. In order to comprehensively assess the overall impact of the programme the ICSR Expert Team collected feedback and attitudes of 265 programme beneficiaries ((ex)inmates, CI employees, PA management and employees, CSO partners and Help e.V. management). More than 97% of the interviewed persons evaluated the programme activities positively, identified as the main benefits of the programme in enhanced personal development, greater motivation for further progress and the improvement of quality of life after serving the sentence, a better quality of time spent in the penitentiary, and the improvement of the internal functioning of the correctional institution thanks to the procured equipment. The promptness of Help e.V.’s reaction in addressing COVID 19 - challenging in terms of preserving social contacts of inmates- was highly appreciated . Help e.V.’ssupport in the process of self-employment of (ex)inmates, who underlined the importance of such support for their social inclusion by being given a second chance was evaluated most positively. Considering all the benefits, approx. 92% of the interviewed persons expressed their support to the programme to be continued. As the purpose of the assessment was also to explore opportunities for possible improvements, the expert team identified concerns with the correctional institutions staff’s role in the selection and informing the inmates on the presentations, public calls and available opportunities under the programme as issues raised by many respondents. Some respondents claimed that a preselection of participants occurred, based on unknown criteria. However, from all the available data, this problem seems to be beyond Help e.V.’s influence and control. Many participants also underlined the lack of printed materials, brochures and leaflets. They believe that such materials can contribute to better dissemination and understanding of Help e.V.’s activities among inmates. Some also questioned the expertise of trainers/coordinators of the workshops. Some of the weaknesses of the project highlighted by the employees in penitentiary institutions mostly refer to the inconsistency and discontinuity of programme activities, but also the lack of exploring the inmates’ preferences/ needs. In terms of the support to self-employment of the former convicts the main challenges identified were the coordination with other start-up support programmes, inclusion of convicts who have not completed primary education, but also in terms of ensuring continuous monitoring and professional/advisory support to the beneficiaries within the initial period of running their small businesses.

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