<< Objectives >>VR4React aims to contribute to reducing reactive aggression in prison by:- Train prison educators and psychologists to deliver the VR psychoeducational intervention to reduce aggressive behaviours of inmates with a history of reactive aggression. It seeks to promote inmates’ ability to adopt prosocial and adaptative behaviours when facing triggering situations.- Capacitate prison officers with skills and competencies to handle reactive aggressive behaviours among inmates more effectively.<< Implementation >>VR4React intends to design, create and implement a twofold approach intervention programme, on the scope thematic and intervention of reactive aggression, by:TRAINING- creating and psychoeducational intervention programme using VR, for inmates, and capacitating psychologists and prison educators to deliver it;- creating a technology-enhanced training (using VR) to capacity building of prison guards.ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS- Stakeholders Discussion Events.- Final conference<< Results >>The VR4React’s foreseen impacts are as follow:- Promote psychological, social, and emotional well-being (by reducing victimisation and developing adaptive behaviours in inmates).- Promote the capacity building and training of prison staff on reactive aggression topics.- Promote the trainer's skills and knowledge on the delivery of the intervention.- Reduce the risks of reactive aggression to prison staff and inmates.- Promote rehabilitation and reintegration for reactive aggressive offender

Every year a number of approx. 30,000 car accidents are taking place in the EU taking the life or severely injuring thousands of citizens. To counteract this phenomenon, European Commission has adopted a document called Policy Orientations 2011-2020 setting itself a target of reducing the number of road deaths by half. The same objective was adopted by the UN to reduce by half the number of deaths by 2030 at the international level. In the same time, the project contributes to other transversal priorities, such as reducing poverty. As we know reducing re-offending could contribute to reducing in poverty among the offenders. One of the main reasons behind the car accidents are: driving without licence, driving under the influence of alcohol and overspending (or dangerous driving). To combat these offences, member states have adopted severe legislation that send offenders with this sort of behaviour under probation supervision or in prisons. In Romania, the proportion of road offenders out of the total number of probationers is 47% in 2018 (NAP, Annual Report 2018). In spite of this huge number of offenders with this kind of offending history, there is no correctional program available that is up to date and evidence based or offender informed at the European level. This is the aim of this project: to take an existing program in Portugal (STOP Responsibility and Safety) and up-date it in line with the research evidence and offender expectations. In order to achieve this aim, the project team will:- undertake a thorough literature review and collection of good practices, - will design a new program - Bringing Safety on the roads - BriSaR. - will pilot it and evaluate it for its impact - will provide training of trainers in three jurisdictions - will manualize both the program and the evaluation tool. The innovative side of the program is that it will take an existing program in Portugal and will up-date it using the research evidence, examples of good practice and the opinion of offenders with road offences history. Another innovation of this project is that it will incorporate the evaluation into the program so the program leaders will be able to collect feedback on their performance as they run the program. It is expected that a number of at least 30 professionals and volunteers and 45 offenders will benefit directly from the program. In the same time, we expect that indirectly a significant number of offenders will benefit from the program once it is developed and tested. Only in Romanian, a number of Aproximar. 47,000 offenders under probation supervision could benefit from this program. By reducing the re-offending among this group of offenders, we expect that the program will contribute to the reduction of car accidents and indirectly to the decrease in the number of deaths on the road, which is the European Commission long term target.

"<< Background >>PROBATIONET project background derives from Probation nature itself as criminal procedure globally applied and its complex context of case management in which Governmental Institutions and NGO with their office workers and operators are involved.Probation first developed in the United States in 1841, since then in the World and Europe the national judicial systems applied it according their own criminal laws but based on the same principle: a period of supervision over an offender, ordered by the court instead of serving time in prison.Officers and practitioners engaged in the process operate according the different options available in the Probation system. The ESCO classification defines the following occupations linked to probation case management process: probation officer, case administrator, armed forces training and education officer, social workers ( from criminal justice, community, counselling and associate professionals) and more professionals profiles on behalf of agencies outside the criminal justice system.Prisons services have their own in-service education and training curricula, which correspond to the role and tasks of the different categories and to the aim and purpose of their work. Ideally they should have their own training facilities but currently there is a lack of resources in most of Member States. In 2019 the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) completed the roadmap started in 2010 under the supervision of CoE - Conference of Directors of Prison and Probation Services, supported by the Confederation of European Probation (CEP) and the European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services (EuroPris), adopting the “guidelines regarding training and professional development of prison and probation staff”. These guidelines encourage Member States to put in place opportunities probation staff training and inter-agency and interdisciplinary work. Such cooperation should promote the common goals of the respective services, i.e. to promote public safety, rehabilitation and reintegration in favour of the offenders and victims’ rights.The Guidelines strongly advises to annually evaluate training needs and to regularly revise and update training plans aimed at workforce development and to ensure responsiveness to the needs of probation agencies and their case management structure. It is an indisputable fact that operators’ skills in Europe presents inhomogeneous aspects derived from organizational factors and regulatory traditions of the institutions involved.<< Objectives >>PROBATIONET in this framework aims to develop and deploy an innovative training model able to respond to the education and training needs of officers and workers involved in the probation process with a flexible and multidisciplinary approach as requested by each national Probation case management system. Particular attention will be given to reconciliation and victim-offender mediation issues.Against the inhomogeneity of application at national level all European probation caseworks can be fitted into one of these 4 “domains” 1: Pre-Trial Provisions; 2: Non-Custodial Options; 3: Immediate Custody and 4: Early Release/Supervised Release.The PROBATIONET integrated training model applied to a common casework will give particular attention to the low-skilled professionals by increasing quality, supply and accessibility of continuing VET, validation of non-formal and informal learning, promoting work-place learning. The PROBATIONET training model promote the SENTITIVITY GROUP as a particularly effective psychosocial training methodology to treat groups with strong emotional involvement.Moreover PROBATIONET represents a scheme for developing partnerships between SME VET providers, HEIs and Probation Justice Departments. It is aimed too at promoting a learning networks model and providing initial and/or continuing training to a European Probation Training Area as stated by the “guidelines regarding training and professional development of prison and probation staff” adopted by the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC) .The PROBATIONET will benefit of a transnational cooperation partnership that brings together partners from Italy (a HEI and a VET Provider), Portugal (a VET provider and a Justice Institution) , Bulgaria (a Justice Institution) , Greece (a HEI and a Justice Institution), plus Turkey (Justice Institution) with their complementary competences and the interdisciplinary contents that are needed to approach the Probation System and the geographical coverage of case management examples. This COOPERATION PARTNERSHIP will involve country expertise able to transfer and merge these best practices to an innovative, flexible and permeable learning pathway with a particular attention to the low-skilled officers and operators in the professional Probation chain. The participants selected by the PROBATIONET Partnership to participate to the pilot project will take advantage of being part of the training activities and the impact goal is to disseminate it and promote the model as a best practices of COOPERATION PARTNERSHIPS between 'east-west' Europe.<< Implementation >>In the 2 years PROBATIONET project, the professional trainers, experts and operators of probation offices institutions and related services will be engaged in training activities and multiplier events as active participants at Partners national level (Italy, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria and Turkey).PROBATIONET’s three main activities grouped are:1: preparation of Training model design for ""setting goals”;2:implementation of blended training courses at European and national level (3 cycles of dynamic events + face-to-face and e-learning modules in I, GR, P and BL); 3: validation and dissemination.The work plan is conceived taking care of the whole PROBATIONET design and methodology applied and maximizing the mobility resources available:4 Project Meetings (PM) are planned to account what has been realized during the previous phase and to confirm what will be done in the next step:@ M2 PM Kick Off - Remotely or in Greece;@ M4 Short term joint staff - Training of Trainers (ToT) in Bulgaria C4@ M9 Pilot Training PM (milestone for the launch of testing phase of national pilot trainings), concurrently with C1 (first Dynamic Event Italy):@ M14 mid-term PM (milestone for monitoring and midterm evaluation of project and national pilot trainings), concurrently with C2 (second Dynamic Event Greece)@ M18 R. validation PM (milestone for validating the intellectual outcomes / project results), concurrently with C3 (third Dynamic Event - Portugal)The PROBATIONET implementation strategy and its work packages organisation as follows:1.Define a Probation framework at European level case management, select best practices from most experienced Countries and test countries (I, P.GR, BL). R.1 Design an innovative curricula PROBATIONET “design and development” first draft of R.2 to enable Country Partners to customize the PROBATIONET Curricula for the testing phase at national level.2.Prepare key persons involved in the training activity and prepare the national teams (C4) Training the Trainers, experts, coaches, other professional profiles dedicated etc.3.Beside the PROB-T e-learning platform (R.3) has been structured to support the training pathways.4.The training Activities will operate as 3 pivotal dynamic events (C1, C2, C3) during the national implementation project work and in-service phase. Trainees attending the dynamic events will be a blend composition: Staff trainers/Coaches and representative of VET learners’ teams chosen for acting as group leaders and applying coaching themselves in the sensitivity training at national level.5.Implementation and testing the planned Rs: the E-course on Restorative Justice and recidivism (PR.4) and Probation Case Management Practitioners blended training Curricula (PR.5) as first validated Courses of PROBATIONET model using the PR.2 “design and development” validating itself as well.6.Validate all Rs at the end of testing phase and promote them at National level (Multiplier Events) for deploying the local National training courses.7.Disseminate at European Level through VET Providers and HEIs networks starting from the Final conference in Rome (Italy)<< Results >>PROBATIONET expected main results and outcomes are as follows:-Innovative training model “design and development curricula” to enable VET providers and Organization to implement curricula course in favour of all professionals (VET learners of the project) involved in the Probation process: probation officers, staff of government departments, social workers, psychologies/mediators, prison staff (according the ESCO occupation identified and linked with the Probation case management);-Innovative tools through mutual learning in the field of Probation based on techniques of reconciliation with the victim.-Early Release/Supervised Release casework approach based on the analysis of the basic skills to renter in the labour market and on orientation towards any other educational sectors and / or employment opportunities.A PROBATIONET outcome expected is the implementation of a professional dialog platform of practitioners about a European Area of criminal procedure and victimology cooperation in favour of both the offenders and victims’ rights.PROBATIONET results are also the activities implemented during the project (24 month duration) during the phases of the project in Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria and Greece with the support of their Ministries of Justice: - Project management and coordination; - Technical support and collaborative working system, as well as training technology support; - Follow-up and internal assessment (Quality Plan, QPLN); - The Communication-Dissemination (CDAP) and the Valorisation-Exploitation of results (VEAP).The 10 results (R) according the three phases structure are as follows :-Ph1: Build the project environment and conceive the model:1.Updating-completing info related to specificities and existing (e.g., info about training systems that could support the project training phases; - Updating - completing the elements related to job environment, e.g. certification)2.Update of the Case Management map in Probation System at European and National level focused on reconciliation issues (R.1).3.Short-term joint staff C.4 (Partner’s trainers, coaches, and experts) to design and develop new training modules for Probation Officers and professionals including the psychosocial aspects and the theme of burnout and resilience both for the workers and the offenders.4Five multiplier events in Italy, Portugal, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey to disseminate the training pilot course at National levels (in order to involve the Organizations of potential VET learners).5Conceiving the PROBATIONET “design and development training Curricula” (R.2)-Ph 2: testing and validation phase6.On the basis of R.2 methodology Partners responsible will customize and implement the 4 training blended courses (face-to-face and E-learning modality). During the 12 month duration of training the VET learners from partner organisations work together through the PRO-T platform both with ICT tools, such as social media, video conferencing, live streaming provided carrying out individual project work and face-to-face classroom by applying PROBATIONET training approach (3 Dynamic events at international level organised as C1, C2, and C3).7.PROB-T Web platform for e-learning and webinar modules will assure to the VET learners in-service training during the 1 year course and follow up to face-to-face training activity (R.3).8.Testing the e- learning curriculaRestorative Justice and Recidivism through the PROB-T (R.4)9 Testing the curricula training scheme for Practitioners in Probation case management during the implementation of individual project work (R.5).-Ph 3: Validation and Dissemination phase 6.10. Validation of all Intellectual out puts releasing the final version through the R.6 Repository toolkit for the Final conference EU level event in Rome (IT) to disseminate as much as possible the results at European Level."

As realized by all parties, increasing number of refugees, with their needs to be satisfied, leads authorities to take responsibilities all around the world. As the number of refugees and immigrants grow, the possibility of unmet physical and psychological needs increases. These vulnerable individuals may try to satisfy their needs by getting into risky behaviours like substance use, committing crimes etc. For solving the problems related to refugees, the Council of Europe published many recommendations. In 2011 the Council of Europe adopted the Recommendation on Probation [Rec(2011)13] about accessibility of health system, “Barriers to the accessibility of health services may have to be removed in order to help migrants find their way in the health system”. Also, in the same Recommendation [Rec(2011)13], it is said that “Consideration should be given to all available methods of reducing language barriers, including translation by telephone and video, face-to-face interpretation, the provision of “intercultural mediators” and helping migrants to learn the language of the host country.” Professionals in probation system give training on positive coping strategies to prevent re-offending among offenders. However, the system experiences difficulty in handling the refugee offenders because of the language barrier and the offenders do not have the access to the positive coping with stress trainings in their own language. Due to the privacy rules, the probation system cannot use the translation by telephone, video and other techniques which was recommended. In the recent years, psychologists are using virtual reality (VR) to treat many psychological disorders like anxiety disorders and develop some skills such as emotion recognition and regulation, communication and so on. Also, Fromberger et al. (2014) indicated that using virtual reality is beneficial due to high controllability of social situations and it has fewer barriers compared to imagination techniques. Besides, training of behavior in high‐risk situations without endangering others is a specific advantage of using VR for forensic surroundings. The aim of the present project is to close language barrier gap and provide rehabilitation for substance user refugee probationers developing a virtual reality programme to improve their coping skills (problem solving and emotion regulation skills). Substance use will be used as a sign of deficiency in coping skills; main focus will be on teaching coping skills rather than dealing with substance use behavior. The system provides a better adult learning opportunity by getting rid of the language barrier and the confidentiality rule will not be ruined. In addition to these advantages, the same VR scenario can be adapted to different languages therefore it is cost- effective. The technique could be used in a wide range of skills, therefore open to progress. The technique has a preventive power since the same scenario can be used in normal settings, too. The pilot study will be conducted on five substance user refugee offenders Turkey, Portugal and Romania. The service in the current probation systems are expected to be improved as a result of the project, and a decrease in the reoffending figures of the refugee offenders is expected since the coping skills will be improved with the newly developed VR application. The project’s specific goals include: 1. Needs analysis report on refugee offenders will be prepared by Ankara Probation Directorate. 2. A Literature review on teaching skills with the use of virtual reality will be conducted, and a proposal on the implementation methodology of using virtual reality in teaching skills to refugee offenders will be structured.3. Creation of a Virtual Reality(VR) software programme for refugee offenders, developing methodology of using VR technology in skill teaching and adapting the newly structured system into probation fields as a new methodology - A manual for scenario writing for VR will be prepared.- Contents will be prepared. - User’s manual for the use of VR scenarios will be prepared. - A virtual reality Model will be prepared to be used in the teaching problem solving and emotion regulation skills to refugee offenders.4. Delivering a training of the trainer course for probation experts on how to use newly structured virtual reality technology to teach the refugee probationers 5. Development of Virtual Reality Skills Teaching Pilot Programme - Pilot study of the VR model will be conducted in Turkey and Portugal. - Amendments and fine tuning of the programme will be done after the pilot sessions.

"Peer Pro-social Modelling in Probation (PPROMPT) project aimed to structure a peer pro-social modelling, through the development and implementation in probation systems enhancing both the competencies of management and probation experts to address offenders’ needs. Project targeted to explore and implement an approach that builds social capital and resilience within people that are under probational measures. The need for more innovation and effectiveness in working with offenders,the great potential of peer education and The EU recommendations around the peer education were the reasons behind implementing this project.Specific goals included:1. To develop andragogical materials (manuals and programme contents) that support training for both staff and management in the field of peer training and pro-social model interventions;2. To develop and pilot a ""train the trainer"" course for probation workers in each country, giving them the ability to train, continuously, selected well- behaved offenders on peer training and pro-social modelling;3. To train the selected pool of inmates in each country on pro-social modeling and peer training, under the supervision of the probation trainers4. To analyse the pilot sessions and revise the manuals accordingly before disseminating the programme. The Project covered building up a Peer Pro-Social Model Team, trained by the Probation staff - professionals of this field. The selected well-behaving offenders were trained on newly prepared Pro-Social Model Programme and were expected to work as peer trainers for the others. The project needed to be a multicultural one since;*Special attention should have been paid to the selection of peer volunteers, to ensure that they are appropriate for the role, have the right motivation to complete the training. *The topic had to be handled by a consortium, composed of different cultures, experience and practices. *The probation staff needed to be well-trained both on the techniques and the possible problems that may arise during implementation phase which needs a full co-operation. *Training probation staff supported the system's sustainability in all partner countries, where released offenders can be replaced by the new offenders trained by the probation staff. The outputs of the project are;*A need assesment survey on the present probation groupwork and semminar activities was done;*A report on literature review and analysis of best practices on peer training was prepared;*A report on meta-analysis of pro social modelling practices was developed;*A curriculum on peer pro-social modelling in probation systems was structured;*A manual on peer training was prepared;* PPROMPT Life Skills Training Programme was prepared (It is a cognitive behavoural program focusing on the most important criminogenic needs like criminal attitudes, decision making, offending behaviour, planning for the future, family life, leisure time. The programme is interactive, structured and gives answers to the needs of the probationers);*Train the trainer course material for probation experts was prepared;*22 probation experts coming from partner countries attended a 5 day ""training of the trainers programme"".*Train the trainer course for the offenders were held in 3 different countries;*In the piloting phase trained offenders in different countries delivered the newly prepared programme to other offenders under the supervision.*Under the dissemination activities, 3 national semminars were organized in Turkey, Romania and Portugal.*Total number of adults who have benefited from the project added up to approximately 1000 persons.As a result of the PPROMPT Project:*A Peer Pro-Social Model system was structured for the Probation System.*The efficiancy of the groupworks and semminar programmes were increased.*The capabilities of the staff working for the Probation System were improved.*New methods on the rehabilitation and the reintegration of the offenders were structured and tried within the system. *The service quality in the Probation System of the partner countries was increased.The following actions to be taken in future will be adjusting the program in the light of the lived experience and evaluations , expanding the program to other probation services and other correctional settings and distributing the program to other probation services across Europe."