Empowering inmates and trainers with innovative education and training programmes

Training the Trainers

Historically, punitive “tough on crime” approaches have been politically popular to justify stringent criminal justice policies. However, empirical evidence shows that extended incarceration alone is neither a sufficient deterrent nor an economically sustainable approach to reducing recidivism rates[1]. Research indicates that up to 89% of those who return to prison are unemployed, highlighting education as a critical factor in reducing recidivism [2].

Education and training are, therefore, not just a means of keeping the incarcerated individual occupied, they can form a stepping stone in the pathway towards inclusion, who face social exclusion often before they enter the prison, as well as after they leave.

With this in mind, the STEP2LAB project, funded by the European Union and nearing its completion, has been working around the training of inmates and those closest to them – trainers. The project’s “Training of Trainers” (ToT) course aims to equip participants with the knowledge, guidelines, framework, and workflows essential to the GTI (Guiding, Training, and Insertion) cooperation process, in line with the STEP2LAB model. Over sixty participants have joined the course, eager to learn how to implement STEP2LAB tools and empower individuals to become change agents within their communities.
The training will continue until the project’s conclusion, providing participants with a comprehensive and immersive experience. This extensive training programme serves as a cornerstone for disseminating best practices and methodologies.

Bridging Prisons and the Labour Market

STEP2LAB has recently introduced its Model of Guidance, Training, and Insertion into the labour market. This model provides an in-depth understanding of vocational education and training (VET) programmes and their role in assisting incarcerated individuals to reintegrate into the labour market.

The goal of this model is to offer practical guidance and examples to enhance the effectiveness of training and labour insertion initiatives within European Union prison systems.
Policymakers, prison administrators, training providers, and other stakeholders involved in designing and implementing vocational training programmes within the prison system are the targets of this document, where there’s an exploration of the critical components and successful examples of VET programmes, including the STEP2LAB Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Induction Course.

The STEP2LAB Model aspires to contribute to more effective and transformative training initiatives for incarcerated individuals, ultimately aiding their transition back into the labour market and society.

Follow the project’s progress, and all deliverables, through its newsletter and find it featured in the Justice Trends Magazine.