Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Co-operation of private business with detention places
Bulgarian Agency for Regional Development
Background
In 1998 the Open Society Club in Sliven started a successful partnership with the managers of the Female Prison in Sliven and with the General Directorate of Detention Places. The interaction occurred as a result of the idea, beneficial for all sides taking part in the club s project, of creating a centre for joint operation of private business and detention places. Such initiative stimulates integration of imprisoned people in society and eliminates certain prerequisites for breaking out of interethnic conflicts.
In 1998 the Open Society Club in Sliven started a successful partnership with the managers of the Female Prison in Sliven and with the General Directorate of Detention Places. The interaction occurred as a result of the idea, beneficial for all sides taking part in the club s project, of creating a centre for joint operation of private business and detention places. Such initiative stimulates integration of imprisoned people in society and eliminates certain prerequisites for breaking out of interethnic conflicts.
Practice
The project Cooperation of private business with detention places addresses the fact revealed by the latest applied research study in the Sliven prison - the recidivism among imprisoned people of ethnic minorities is over 90 %. This, to a great extent, is due to the lack of specialised programmes of corrective activities for the imprisoned as well as lack of coordination between the initiatives of organisations on ethnic basis, local authorities and the legal system.
The project started with a research, collecting empirical data on the demographic and psychological characteristics of the different ethnic groups in situation of imprisonment. Research results were presented at a two-day conference Socio-demographic penetenciary characteristics of ethnic groups in populations of prisoners in July 1999. The conference was attended by more than 50 people interested in the project, among them being representatives of the Supervising Committee within the Sliven Municipality, representatives of the donor organisation Blue Stones Foundation and various experts in the field. The papers read and discussed helped define the different stages of the project work:
Demographic, social and criminal characteristics of the prisoners population , a research paper by Vice Director of the Sliven Female Prison, Mr. Keremidchiev.
Socio-pedagogical profile of the main women s groups , by Ms Nelly Petrova, Doctor of Pedagogy at the Research and Development Department at the General Directorate of Detention Places;
Roma population in prison and the effects of isolation by Todor Minev, Associate Professor at Research Institute to the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Socio-economical and pedagogical problems of Roma population in prisons by Professor Michael Fichtel, Saint Lewis University, USA.
During the project s second phase specialised programmes were developed, including career advice, preparation for free life, acquiring skills for applying for job and active behaviour at the labour market. The guards, the social services staff, as well as the representatives of the municipal committees and NGOs were specially trained for the implementation of these programmes.
The project Cooperation of private business with detention places addresses the fact revealed by the latest applied research study in the Sliven prison - the recidivism among imprisoned people of ethnic minorities is over 90 %. This, to a great extent, is due to the lack of specialised programmes of corrective activities for the imprisoned as well as lack of coordination between the initiatives of organisations on ethnic basis, local authorities and the legal system.
The project started with a research, collecting empirical data on the demographic and psychological characteristics of the different ethnic groups in situation of imprisonment. Research results were presented at a two-day conference Socio-demographic penetenciary characteristics of ethnic groups in populations of prisoners in July 1999. The conference was attended by more than 50 people interested in the project, among them being representatives of the Supervising Committee within the Sliven Municipality, representatives of the donor organisation Blue Stones Foundation and various experts in the field. The papers read and discussed helped define the different stages of the project work:
Demographic, social and criminal characteristics of the prisoners population , a research paper by Vice Director of the Sliven Female Prison, Mr. Keremidchiev.
Socio-pedagogical profile of the main women s groups , by Ms Nelly Petrova, Doctor of Pedagogy at the Research and Development Department at the General Directorate of Detention Places;
Roma population in prison and the effects of isolation by Todor Minev, Associate Professor at Research Institute to the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
Socio-economical and pedagogical problems of Roma population in prisons by Professor Michael Fichtel, Saint Lewis University, USA.
During the project s second phase specialised programmes were developed, including career advice, preparation for free life, acquiring skills for applying for job and active behaviour at the labour market. The guards, the social services staff, as well as the representatives of the municipal committees and NGOs were specially trained for the implementation of these programmes.
Results
A National Conference is forthcoming, where suggestion for changes in the legal regulations will be formulated, as well as suggestions for reforms in education and vocational training in prisons. The last project phase foresees establishment of centres and bodies for joint operation (Sliven municipality representatives and prison administration). A network of volunteers to support the corrective activities and the resocialisation of imprisoned women of ethnic minorities is in a process of formation. The project has a strong social impact, limiting the criminal activity of certain ethnic communities.
A National Conference is forthcoming, where suggestion for changes in the legal regulations will be formulated, as well as suggestions for reforms in education and vocational training in prisons. The last project phase foresees establishment of centres and bodies for joint operation (Sliven municipality representatives and prison administration). A network of volunteers to support the corrective activities and the resocialisation of imprisoned women of ethnic minorities is in a process of formation. The project has a strong social impact, limiting the criminal activity of certain ethnic communities.
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