Wolność - kocham i rozumiem

The main objective of the project was to enhance the quality of preparing individuals in prison for life after release by creating a new, practical tool for educators and institutions supporting t...

The main objective of the project was to enhance the quality of preparing individuals in prison for life after release by creating a new, practical tool for educators and institutions supporting the reintegration process. The partners aimed primarily to develop a modular Freedom Programme that would include the diagnosis of the prisoner’s situation, the strengthening of social competences, motivational work and the creation of an individual action plan for the post-release period. A supporting objective was to test the programme in real conditions in penitentiary units in PL and CY, in order to confirm its effectiveness and adapt it to diverse system settings. The project also sought to strengthen the competences of 6 educators through participation in expert work, study visits, the pilot phase and the practical application of the developed tools. In addition, the project aimed to create space for the exchange of experience between the PL and CY partners, enabling the comparison of practices and the implementation of solutions aligned with European standards. The final outcome was the development of the programme in 3 languages, ensuring its applicability and supporting social reintegration while reducing the risk of re-offending.

The project delivered the full scope of activities planned in the application. Project management was carried out throughout its duration, including online partner meetings, financial monitoring, progress tracking, ongoing evaluation, and the preparation of promotional materials and unified project branding. Two study visits were organised (in Poland and Cyprus) enabling an analysis of penitentiary practices, refinement of the programme’s assumptions and the exchange of experience among educators. The key activity was the expert work leading to the development of the modular Freedom Programme, including diagnostic tools, exercises and detailed guidance for educators. The programme was then tested in a pilot phase across four penitentiary units in Poland and in the Central Prison of Nicosia in Cyprus, involving 44 incarcerated participants. Following the analysis of the pilot results, a final version of the programme was produced in three languages (PL, ENG, GR) and made available as an e-book. At the end of the project, two dissemination conferences were organized, presenting the results and implementation potential of the programme, with a total of 80 participants. All activities were delivered in line with the planned schedule.

The project achieved all planned results. The most significant outcome was the development of a complete six-module Freedom Programme, a practical tool for educators working individually with incarcerated persons. The programme includes diagnostic elements, exercises, worksheets, instructions, communication strategies, techniques and methods for implementing each module, as well as evaluation tools. It was produced in three languages (PL, ENG, GR) and published as an e-book. The programme was piloted across five penitentiary units in PL and CY, involving 44 incarcerated participants. A total of 43 individuals completed the full cycle, enabling a reliable verification of the programme’s effectiveness. A comprehensive pilot report was prepared, including recommendations that informed the development of the final version of the programme. Additional results included: strengthened competences of the 6 educators involved in creating and testing the programme, 2 study visits, enhanced cooperation between the PL and CY partners, the unification of resocialisation standards, and increased availability of tools supporting pre-release preparation. The project concluded with two dissemination conferences attended by 80 participants.