Promoting the reintegration of offenders at local and European level
The “Perspektive” project aims to utilise the full development potential in the area of offender reintegration. There is an opportunity not only to support prisons in their day-to-day work at a local level, but also to make a significant contribution to the exchange of experts at a European level. We have formed an international consortium, drawing on the experience gained from previous projects such as STEPS, NEXT STEPS and the state initiative Handwerk im Hafthaus. This consists of experienced players in the fields of public relations, psychology, business and more, who work together with prisons from various European countries.
Goals
Reducing prejudices and reintegrating prisoners into the labour market
Preparing prisoners for their reintegration by strengthening and developing social skills, which are also of great importance for professional life.
Strengthening the employability of former prisoners by reducing prejudices among employers, colleagues and other stakeholders in society.
Intensifying cooperation between various organisations from the business world and the prison system in different European countries
To view prisoners across the board as people who deserve a second chance. The focus should be on actively supporting and facilitating the inclusion of ex-prisoners in the labour market.
Results
The planned results serve to secure the objectives pursued
PERSPEKTIVE-Handbook
PERSPEKTIVE-Handbook: Experiential education in the prison system. A handbook for the practice-orientated and sporty promotion of professional skills of prisoners
PERSPEKTIVE-Magazine
PERSPEKTIVE-Magazine: Building bridges between society and inmates by providing insights into europes prisons, promoting personal stories and career prospects
PERSPEKTIVE-Network
PERSPEKTIVE-Network: Promoting the integration of prisoners into the labour market through Europe-wide exchange of experience and personnel networks in the prison system
Use our project flyer to inform your network about Perspektive.
Project development
Stay up to date!
Our Community on EPALE
The PERSPEKTIVE community is now live on EPALE! It connects professionals from education, justice, and social work who are committed to experiential learning and supporting the (re)integration of inmates into the labour market.
Join the exchange, discover good practices, and stay updated on the latest developments.
Visit the community:
https://epale.ec.europa.eu/en/private/perspektive-experiential-education-inmates-reintegration-europe
Fifth Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) of the Erasmus+ PERSPEKTIVE project in Viterbo, Italy
From the 3rd to 6th February 2026, the fifth transnational project meeting of the Erasmus+ project PERSPEKTIVE took place in Viterbo (Italy). The host was our project partner CPIA ‘Giuseppe Foti’ – a central regional provider of adult education – who welcomed the consortium to the Università degli Studi della Tuscia.
The participants gathered for an opening plenary session in the university’s main hall. Local examples of good practice in cooperation between the university, CPIA and the prison system were presented, including the video project ‘Pills of Justice’ (presented by Professor Ruggiero and Professor Sanvitale) and other educational approaches that build bridges between learning, participation and reintegration.
Collaboration is at the heart of our progress, and we’re excited to share that a dedicated EPALE Community PERSPEKTIVE site is on the horizon!
Day 1 – Experiential learning, manual work and working groups
The first working day focused on experiential learning and the further development of key project results. In practical exercises (including Culturallye and Teamdrawing), methods were tested, reflected upon and jointly evaluated with a view to how they can be effectively used in educational programmes in the prison system.
Another important focus was the finalisation of the PERSPEKTIVE handbook: the partners have now tested more than 15 exercises in meetings, and a total of over 100 exercises have been compiled. The participants discussed feedback and worked on reflection and evaluation formats as well as the final design and structural framework.
Breakout sessions took place in the afternoon:
Group 1: Prison staff – internal network meeting and exchange on prison practice
Group 2: Project management – coordination of work packages (WP1–WP5), progress on the handbook and magazine, further development of the expert network and planning of dissemination (including interviews with project partners, website and social media campaigns)
The event concluded with a joint evaluation, including a review of the meeting in Türkiye and an assessment of the partner meeting. We are particularly pleased that we are continuing to grow and were able to welcome prison staff from the institutions in Viterbo and Izmir to our meeting for the first time. The day was rounded off with a historical tour of Viterbo and a joint dinner, an important setting for informal exchange and networking.
Day 2 – Visit to Viterbo Prison and reflection
A key item on the agenda was a visit to Viterbo Prison. After being welcomed by CPIA and prison representatives, the project group was given a guided tour to gain an insight into the structures, processes and educational realities on site.
These impressions are particularly valuable for PERSPEKTIVE: they connect project development with everyday life in prison and sharpen the focus on how education, guidance and structured support services can specifically strengthen reintegration.
This was followed by a moderated reflection session in which observations and learning experiences were brought together. The day ended with an intercultural programme (including a visit to the botanical garden and the Bullicame thermal spring) and a joint dinner in Viterbo.
For interested participants, there was an optional excursion the following day that deepened intercultural exchange and strengthened the European network: a visit to Soriano del Cimino (including Castello Orsini, later also used as a prison, and Palazzo Chigi) and then the “Parco dei Mostri” in Bomarzo. Such joint activities create space for team building and promote cooperation across national and institutional boundaries.
Fourth Transnational Project Meeting of the Erasmus+ Project “PERSPEKTIVE” in İzmir / Aliağa, Türkiye
The fourth transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ project PERSPEKTIVE took place in İzmir / Aliağa, Türkiye. Our Turkish partner Multi ACT from Datça hosted the event and welcomed more than 30 participants at the open section of Aliağa Prison. We extend our sincere thanks to the prison’s leadership and team for their generous support and friendly welcome.
Day 1 – Methods, observation, and network planning
The first day focused on hands-on, experience-based learning. Participants worked through several experiential education exercises, including “Mega – Memory” and “Reality Check” (METALOG). We introduced and practiced standardized observation, discussed common observation errors, and outlined principles for fair competence assessment.
In parallel, the PERSPEKTIVE Expert Network convened to discuss its future direction and possible institutionalisation—including ideas for follow-up projects. The editorial team of the PERSPEKTIVE magazine presented the first two finished chapters: insights into prison systems and personal histories of inmates in Bucharest (Romania) and Reykjavík (Iceland). We are proud to be developing such a high-quality, professional publication that stakeholders will hold in their hands in 2026.
Day 2 – Insights from Aliağa Prison & shared cultural experience
On the second day, the network visited security Aliağa Prison. Guided by the prison’s director, teachers, and officers, we were introduced to vocational workshops where incarcerated people acquire skills relevant for employment after release. We also visited the library and art classes, both important resources for personal development and reintegration.
To round off the meeting and strengthen ties within the consortium, we explored the archaeological site of Pergamon, a shared cultural highlight that offered space for informal exchange, teambuilding and networking.
The transnational project meeting was successfully hosted by Multi ACT in cooperation with the Aliağa Prison administration. The event provided an excellent framework for coordination and exchange among project partners. It contributed substantially and goal-orientation to the development of the PERSPEKTIVE project outputs, the strengthening of the European expert network, and the joint effort to enhance reintegration pathways for incarcerated individuals across Europe.
Third Transnational Project Meeting of the Erasmus+ Project “PERSPEKTIVE” in Reykjavik, Iceland
From June 2nd to 4th, 2025, the third transnational meeting of the Erasmus+ project PERSPEKTIVE took place in Reykjavik, Iceland. The event was hosted by our Icelandic partner HOFDI.
At the start of the meeting, participants gained fascinating insights into the Icelandic prison system, including a guided tour of Holmsheidi Prison led by Prison Director Halldor Valur Pálsson. Particularly impressive was the personal story of former inmate Guðmundur Ingi Thoroddson, who founded the NGO Afstada 20 years ago.
A special highlight of the second day was the visit of Tolli Morthens – Iceland’s most renowned artist. Together with former inmates, he spoke openly, movingly, and powerfully about his artistic and therapeutic work with prisoners. He introduced his methods involving breathing techniques and the use of so-called “sweat lodges” which support emotional and physical self-reflection.
The following days were dedicated to the core project work: partner organizations presented chapters and content for the PERSPEKTIVE handbook and magazine, discussed the development of the European expert network, and explored strategies for dissemination. In small breakout groups, key topics such as project management, public relations, and internal networking were addressed in depth.
A cultural highlight of the meeting was the excursion program, which included visits to the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant, Gullfoss Waterfall, the Geysir area, the Friðheimar tomato plantation, and Thingvellir National Park – an impressive example of combining intercultural exchange with sustainability.
The meeting was a great success and made a significant contribution to the further development and strengthening of the European network within the PERSPEKTIVE project.
Review of the 2nd TPM in Bucharest
The two-day Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) in Bucharest was a success! The team dived into discussions on key project elements, focusing on WP4 (Expert Network) and WP2 (Handbook) during a productive session at Jilava prison. An inspiring highlight was the hands-on practice of pedagogical exercises with the prisoners, combined with an in-depth exploration of the theoretical framework, particularly the comfort zone model for resocialization, where a shared definition was crafted. The day ended with an intriguing prison tour, offering practical insights into experiential education.
On Day 2, we kicked off with breakout sessions, including the first WP4 Expert Network meeting, bringing together prison staff from six countries, and a WP1 management strategies discussion. Partners also unveiled initial insights from the PERSPEKTIVE Handbook and introduced innovative educational concepts for prison staff. Collaboration is at the heart of our progress, and we’re excited to share that a dedicated EPALE Community PERSPEKTIVE site is on the horizon!
The third week in February 2024 was a very eventful working week. The kick-off meeting took place over two days at a total of five different locations, including the premises of the WHKT in Düsseldorf and the prison in Heinsberg. This organisational feat was necessary in order to provide the more than 30 participants of the kick-off meeting with enough space to get to know each other and for the first working sessions. While one group was given a guided tour of the prison in Heinsberg, another group worked on concepts for the implementation of work packages 2 and 3 in the nearby seminar room. On the second day, an intensive round of introductions helped to visualise potential synergies between the project partners. The upcoming meetings in Bucharest, Reykjavik and Izmir were also planned and the dissemination strategy for the coming month was discussed.
The project started on 1 December 2023 and will run for 36 months. We are looking forward to the cooperation in our consortium.
Partners
The international and experienced project consortium
Associated prisons
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
