On the 12th and 13th of November participants from prison, probation, municipalities and NGO’s gathered in Barcelona, Catalonia for the CEP and EuroPris Workshop on Interagency Cooperation. Different European countries presented good practice, successful projects and effective ways of cooperation between the different actors involved in the process from prison and probation back into the community.

When considering the rehabilitation of persons who have committed a crime resulting in imprisonment, a critical stage of the process is when they are released to the community. This is an important moment of transition when the person needs support in several areas of his/her life. Research indicates that this transition management is crucial in the rehabilitation process.

In order to support all aspects of the person’s reintegration and rehabilitation (e.g., education, health, housing, employment) there needs to be positive and genuine cooperation between the various services involved: prison, probation, municipalities, NGO’s, amongst others. The aim is to establish a long-term and consistent rehabilitation process, to increase the opportunity for positive outcomes and to reduce reoffending. Basic ingredients for creating interagency cooperation initiatives are: collaboration, common goals, hope, shared interest, political will, motivation from professionals and stakeholders and coproduction of intervention plans together with clients.

Pictures that were taken during the workshop are available on the CEP facebook page.