Practitioners

This module explores the concept of restorative justice, its principles, values and forms of application within the criminal justice system, focusing on its use in prisons and community settings. It provides professionals with knowledge and practical tools to implement restorative practices. Through interactive activities, case studies, and real-world scenarios, participants will develop skills to facilitate the establishment of restorative justice processes, implementation, monitorization and evaluation of this processes. The knowledge and competences of this module, ultimately contributes to a more just and restorative approach to harm caused by crime.

The Cultural Competence and Diversity Awareness module provides practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of diversity and inclusion within the prison system. It explores key topics such as diversity management, gender and sexual orientation, neurodiversity, structural disparities affecting minority groups, and cultural and religious differences in correctional facilities, strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration and preventing discrimination within correctional settings. 

Throughout the module, practitioners will engage in scenario-based learning, intersectional policy analysis, and strategic planning exercises to identify institutional gaps and propose inclusive reforms. They will also participate in role-playing activities, develop action plans for gender mainstreaming, apply intercultural competence checklists, and analyse data to monitor DEI outcomes in their own institutional contexts. 

The module equips participants with the knowledge and strategies necessary to foster an inclusive and respectful environment, addressing challenges and promoting effective policies and practices. Using interactive activities, case studies, and experiential learning methodologies, the course encourages reflection and active engagement in developing cultural competence.

The particularly high suicide rate in prison (which is four to eleven times higher than that of the general population) is surpassed only by the suicide rate in psychiatric institutions (up to fifty times higher than that of the general population), demonstrating that the restriction of freedom in total institution settings significantly increases the risk of voluntary life-taking. Research findings show that understanding the specific characteristics of suicidal inmates allows, in many cases, for the prediction of self-destructive actions and thus provides an opportunity for their prevention. 

During the restriction of freedom, the implementation of the traditional prevention model encounters significant difficulties due to the unique nature of imprisonment. However, despite the existence of objective challenges, the implementation of suicide prevention programs in prison is not only possible but also imperative. Since suicide is the leading and most common cause of death in prisons, the "Suicide and Self-Harm in Prison – Suicide Prevention Measures Module" aims to raise awareness and enhance the knowledge of professionals regarding the understanding of the phenomenon and the measures for preventing suicidal behaviour.

Welcome to the course Legal Knowledge and Procedural Understanding for Penitentiary Workers! This course is designed to provide penitentiary workers with a foundational understanding of legal concepts essential to their roles. It covers key topics such as the purpose of law, sources of law, inmates' rights, the use of force, and crisis management. By the end of the course, participants will have the tools to perform their duties ethically, legally, and effectively.

The Continuous professional development (CPD) module is designed to equip correctional practitioners with the skills to engage in CPD for career growth and service effectiveness. Learners will explore goal-setting, learning opportunities, mentorship, and feedback while developing a personalized CPD plan. Through interactive activities and practical tools, they will gain strategies to sustain lifelong learning and adapt to the evolving demands of the field.

The “Communication and Interpersonal Skills (Inter-departmental Collaboration)” module provides an essential framework to improve communication and collaboration across different departments within the criminal justice system. In environments where various teams interact, effective communication and interpersonal skills are key to achieving efficient workflows, resolving conflicts, and ensuring smooth operational practices. 

This module focuses on developing a deeper understanding of the dynamics of inter-departmental collaboration, addressing communication barriers, and promoting the skills needed to foster positive and constructive relationships across teams. Through practical exercises, role-plays, and case studies, we will examine how these competencies can be applied in your daily work, enhancing cross-departmental cooperation and enabling more cohesive teamwork in correctional settings. 

The aim is to equip you with tools and strategies to overcome communication challenges, engage in more effective dialogues, and contribute to problem-solving processes across departments. The module also emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and establishing workflows that facilitate collaboration. By integrating these approaches, participants will not only improve their professional relationships but also contribute to a more cooperative and efficient work environment.

This module provides insight into the importance of trauma-informed practices in working with adults in correctional facilities. Starting from research indicating a high prevalence of traumatic experiences among prisoners, the module aims to offer practitioners the tools to identify, understand and adequately respond to the consequences of trauma. Key aspects of the module include:

• Understanding Trauma: An analysis of the types of trauma that are most prevalent among the prison population, including exposure to community violence, loss of loved ones, and childhood abuse.
• Impact of trauma on behavior: The way in which traumatic experiences shape emotional and cognitive processes, which can affect impulsivity, aggressiveness, and repetition of criminal behavior.
• Principles of the Trauma-Informed Approach: Creating an environment in which the risk of retraumatization is reduced by changing approaches to disciplinary practices, communication, and support for prisoners.
• Practical strategies: The application of trauma-informed techniques in everyday work in institutions, with the aim of improving the mental health of prisoners and reducing recidivism.
• Techniques for Overcoming Trauma and Stress: Training practitioners in the use of a variety of techniques for overcoming trauma and stress, including cognitive-behavioural methods, mindfulness, meditation, and other emotional regulation strategies.

Participants will be trained in the use of a variety of techniques to help overcome trauma and reduce stress. The program includes the use of cognitive-behavioural methods to understand and reframe negative thoughts, a mindfulness approach that helps achieve inner peace, and meditation to promote emotional stability. In addition to these techniques, students will master other emotional regulation strategies to increase their resilience and achieve better mental health.

The module is designed to help professionals working in correctional institutions to adopt research-based approaches and thus contribute to a more humane and efficient rehabilitation system.

Welcome to the Technology Integration in Correctional Education module!

This module is designed to provide practitioners with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage digital tools for improving correctional education while adhering to security requirements. Participants will identify secure digital tools used in correctional education, explain the benefits and challenges of technology integration, and apply digital tools to design interactive lessons. Through case study analysis, practitioners will identify best practices, evaluate the impact of digital tools on educational outcomes, and design technology-driven activities that align with correctional education objectives.

The training program provides an in-depth understanding of adolescent development, criminological theories, trauma impact, intervention strategies, and legal-ethical considerations in correctional settings. Adolescence is a critical period marked by cognitive, emotional, and social transformations, which can be significantly influenced by correctional environments. Understanding these developmental processes is essential for professionals working with delinquent youth. Criminological theories offer valuable insights into the causes of juvenile delinquency, allowing for the identification of risk factors and the application of appropriate intervention models. 

Trauma, often a root cause of delinquent behavior, has profound effects on brain development and behavior, necessitating trauma-informed approaches in rehabilitation. Effective intervention strategies, including Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and multidisciplinary collaboration, play a crucial role in supporting positive behavioral change. Legal and ethical considerations form the foundation of responsible correctional work, ensuring that professionals adhere to human rights principles while balancing rehabilitation and accountability. 

Through a combination of theoretical knowledge, case studies, role-playing, and interactive discussions, this program equips professionals with the skills necessary to foster rehabilitation and reintegration, ultimately reducing recidivism and promoting the well-being of juvenile offenders

The “Soft Skills Development (Empathy, Communication, Active Listening, Conflict Resolution)” module offers a strategic opportunity to enhance essential skills in the context of the criminal justice system. Soft skills such as empathy, effective communication, active listening, and conflict resolution are increasingly recognized as decisive factors for success in professional relationships and in managing challenging situations. 

Through practical and reflective approaches, we will analyse how these competencies can be directly applied in your work context, with a focus on building trust, improving collaboration, and developing more assertive and effective communication. Using real-life scenarios and case studies, we will explore the best strategies for handling complex situations in a constructive and effective manner. 

This module aims not only to reinforce these competencies but also to integrate new practices that can improve daily performance, with a keen eye on the impact each action has on the work environment and interpersonal relationships. The goal is to provide a space for reflection, exchange of experiences, and continuous growth, so that you can face the challenges of your role in an even more efficient and human-centered way.