In Europe, over 7,000 individuals under the age of 18 are detained in correctional facilities as a result of offenses committed as minors or young adults.
After serving their sentence and paying their debt to society, these young people often return to environments that do not support successful reintegrations. This situation highlights the urgent need for rehabilitation and support for young people in conflict with the law. Through projects like Skills4Life, we can begin to see young people not as criminals to be punished, but as individuals who deserve support for personal and social rehabilitation.
The Skills4Life training for educators was held at the University of Gloucestershire (UK), 15-17 November 2022. During the course, those who attended became familiar with the Skills4Life methodology, materials and activities, thus preparing themselves for the implementation of the Skills4Life workshops for young people in conflict with the law.
Skills4Life addressed educators from all backgrounds in various European countries. An educator from the residential communities for young people in conflict with the law in Palermo of the Libera…mente cooperative also participated in the course. The partners were able to gather their feedback on the proposed activities and methodology and how to adapt them to each specific national context. On the other hand, the group that participated in the training had the opportunity to discuss the challenges in implementing Skills4Life activities, sharing the view that projects such as this are an important resource for changing the lives of minors in protected contexts.
This is the goal of Skills4Life: to help young people in conflict with the law obtain practical tools for reintegration into society after their release by expanding the resources and skills of educational staff in juvenile prisons and residential communities for minors.
About the project
Skills4Life – Life Skills 4 Life After Prison: Sowing the Seeds of Social Inclusion for Young Offenders is financed by Erasmus+ KA2 – Strategic partnerships for youth, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices.
Partners
- Institut Saumurois de la Communication (France, coordinator)
- European Prison Education Association (Norway)
- University of Gloucestershire (UK)
- Athens Lifelong Learning Institute (Greece)
- CESIE (Italy)
For further information
Read more about Skills4Life.
Contact Alice Valenza: alice.valenza@cesie.org.
