By implementing this project, we wanted to give inmates the opportunity to promote their personal development and equip them with important soft skills and coping strategies. Our goal was to create a space where participants could not only strengthen their resilience, but also learn to deal with challenges constructively – both during their imprisonment and afterwards. It was particularly important to us to show inmates perspectives that go beyond their current situation. We wanted to help them develop skills that would enable them to better reintegrate into society. By designing the training courses to be practice-oriented and tailored to individual needs, we wanted to enable each participant to implement concrete changes in their everyday lives. Our overarching goal with the project was to make a lasting contribution that would benefit not only the inmates but ultimately society as well, by helping to increase their chances of a constructive and self-determined future.
The Transforming Paths project was launched to address the urgent needs of inmates in correctional facilities, who are often confronted with limited opportunities for social and personal development. As an organization committed to social integration and the support of personal development, we saw the need to create a space that would help participants strengthen their skills in order to succeed both during their time in prison and in their subsequent reintegration into society. By participating in the Erasmus+ program, we were able to address this need and develop a structured course that specifically teaches soft skills, resilience, and coping strategies. These topics are of great importance to inmates, as they not only improve their quality of life in prison but also help them better cope with the challenges they face after release. Our decision to apply for the project was motivated by the desire to offer participants an opportunity for personal development and thus contribute to a more constructive way of life. The need for programs that promote the social and emotional skills of inmates was and remains urgent.