The main objective of the project was to enhance the quality of preparing individuals in prison for life after release by creating a new, practical tool for educators and institutions supporting the reintegration process. The partners aimed primarily to develop a modular Freedom Programme that would include the diagnosis of the prisoner’s situation, the strengthening of social competences, motivational work and the creation of an individual action plan for the post-release period. A supporting objective was to test the programme in real conditions in penitentiary units in PL and CY, in order to confirm its effectiveness and adapt it to diverse system settings. The project also sought to strengthen the competences of 6 educators through participation in expert work, study visits, the pilot phase and the practical application of the developed tools. In addition, the project aimed to create space for the exchange of experience between the PL and CY partners, enabling the comparison of practices and the implementation of solutions aligned with European standards. The final outcome was the development of the programme in 3 languages, ensuring its applicability and supporting social reintegration while reducing the risk of re-offending.
Project was developed in response to a clearly identified need for a coherent and practical tool supporting the preparation of individuals in prison for their release. The analysis conducted by the Tulipan Foundation, based on extensive post-penitentiary experience and consultations with probation officers and representatives of the Prison Service, demonstrated the absence of a unified, operational pre-release programme that could be applied by educators, prison staff and NGOs. Existing forms of pre-release preparation are fragmented, inconsistent and often dependent on local practices, with no standardised methods or tools in place. The project therefore addressed the need to create a programme that would include diagnosis, motivational work, the development of social and communication skills, and the creation of an individual action plan for each participant. The Polish–Cypriot partnership additionally made it possible to compare solutions implemented in 2 different penitentiary systems and to incorporate relevant European good practices. The aim was to strengthen the competences of educators and to create a tool that would improve the quality of prepreparing individuals in prison for successful social reintegration.