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
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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.
