Development of a National Rehabilitation Program in Ukrainian prisons

EU-ACT Project - Ukrainian Regional Office, organised the 1st phase of a long-term activity from 21st to 25th of May.

This activity is the follow-up of a previous assessment conducted in January 2018 on the situation of Psychiatric and Psychological treatment in Ukrainian Prisons, included both on the long term activity which produce a "National Rehabilitation Program for Drug users in Prisons”.

Phase I consisted in a workshop conducted by two psychologists from the Spanish Ministry of Interior´s General Secretariat of Penitentiary Institutions together with a Multidisciplinary Team of Ukrainian experts. Most of the experts belong to the State Criminal Executive Service within the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. During the week, the team discussed and drafted the guidelines that will be used to elaborate a training manual and a guide for practitioners. Experts from CMHMDA, UNODC an PRAVO-Justice also attended some working sessions. The EU experts have a broad experience in developing of these programs in their country and in other Eastern European countries.

The Ukrainian team consisted in a pool of 20 experts, psychologists, security staff, probation staff, narcologists, psychiatrics and trainers from 4 Training Centres of State Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine. They were split in different groups that participated in thematic sessions during those days.

The level of engagement and expertise of the participants made possible to achieve valuable inputs that will be used for the elaboration of the Manual and the Program. Participants recognised important gaps and difficulties in comparison with EU countries, but EU-ACT experts think that the commitment and professionalism of Ukrainian experts could overcome these difficulties.

Phase II of the Rehabilitation Program (Elaboration of the Program and Manual) will start immediately and it´s expected to have the final Manual in this autumn.

The Head of the Government Relations Department from Ministry of Justice, who was present the last day, requested the support of EU-ACT Project to present this Program in a High-level event, most likely with the presence of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. He also requested a visit of a small delegation to see the prisons in Spain before starting the implementation phase of this Rehabilitation Program.