Work, Inclusion and Training of Prisoners in Dob prison

Namen prispevka: V prispevku izpostavljamo pomembnost dela v zaporu kot elementa resocializacije obsojencev, različnih načinov sodelovanja obsojencev z lokalno skupnostjo in možnosti uvedbe različnih vrst dela za obsojence (v smeri samooskrbe slovenskih zaporov), ki bi posledično pripomogle k večji zaposljivosti obsojencev, obenem pa predstavljamo vizijo zaposlenih v zaporu na Dobu za uvedbo programa šolanja psov. Metode: Na podlagi pregleda dobrih praks izvajanja dela za obsojence v zaporu na Dobu in osebnih izkušenj prvih treh avtorjev prispevka z delom z obsojenci smo izpostavili različne oblike sodelovanja obsojencev z lokalno skupnostjo in uvedbe različnih vrst dela za obsojence, vključno z uvedbo programa šolanja psov. Ugotovitve: Ugotovili smo, da naši predlogi za izboljšave na področju dela obsojencev niso nekaj novega, temveč so bile v zaporu na Dobu prisotne že v preteklosti. Nadalje predvidevamo, da so glavni razlogi za neuvajanje izboljšav, ki bi povečale možnosti za zaposlovanje obsojencev, organizacijske in finančne narave, saj smo ugotovili, da obstaja zakonska podlaga ob hkratni institucionalni podpori. Obsojenci sami izražajo željo po delu, saj jim lajša posledice monotonega življenja v zaporu, predstavlja jim vir zaslužka ter jim hkrati pomaga pri pridobivanju ugodnosti. Obenem smo ugotovili, da bi uvedba novih programov (samooskrba s hrano in šolanje psov) izboljšala usposobljenost zaposlenih, hkrati pa bi se ustvarila nova delovna mesta za obsojence. Praktična uporabnost: Naše ugotovitve predstavljajo praktične rešitve za izboljšanje situacije zaposlovanja obsojencev v zaporu na Dobu. Izvirnost/pomembnost prispevka: V prispevku se osredotočamo na vpeljavo sprememb na področju dela obsojencev v zaporu na Dobu. Prispevek hkrati predstavlja izhodišče za raziskovanje področja zaposlovanja obsojencev v drugih slovenskih zaporih.Purpose: In the paper, we emphasise the importance of work in prison, as an element of rehabilitation of prisoners. Furthermore, we highlight various ways of cooperation between prisoners and local communities, and possibilities for implementation of various types of work for prisoners (in the direction of self-sufficiency of Slovenian prisons), which would have a positive impact on employability of prisoners. Moreover, we present a vision of the prison staff in Dob prison for implementing a dog training programme. Methods: Based on a review of good practices of implementation of prisoners’ work in Dob prison and personal experience of the first three authors of the paper in the field of work with prisoners, we have highlighted various forms of cooperation of prisoners with local community and different types of work for prisoners, including a dog training programme. Findings: We discover that our recommendations for improvements in the field of prisoners’ work had already been implemented in Dob prison in the past, but were later deprecated. Furthermore, we assume that the main reasons for non-implementation of improvements that would increase employment opportunities for prisoners are of an organisational and financial nature, as we discover that legal basis and institutional support are present. Prisoners are expressing desire to work, as it eases them the consequences of monotonous life in prison, represents them a source of income and helps them obtaining benefits. Moreover, we found that the introduction of new programs (food self-sufficiency and dog training) would improve staff competences and create new jobs for prisoners. Practical Implications: Our findings present practical solutions for improvement of the employment situation of prisoners in Dob prison Originality: In the paper, we focus on the introduction of changes in the field of prisoners’ work in Dob prison. Moreover, the paper presents a starting point for further exploration of employment possibilities for prisoners in other Slovenian prisons