Social Rehabilitation of Offenders

Avo ÜprusAvo ÜprusBaltic Crime Prevention Institute

Estonia

Centre of Social Rehabilitation (CSR)

• Vision: healthy, secure and moral society.• Mission: development of civil society through

increase of security in the society• Moral and social healing of the society based on

Christian ethics; • Actions: development of special social work ;

implementation of social rehabilitation; crime prevention through special programmes for high- risk persons.

Institutions of CSR• Shelter/rehabilitation centre for released

prisoners in Tallinn• Shelter for released prisoners in East Estonia.• Accommodation and counselling for homeless

people in West Estonia.• Accommodation and counselling for homeless

people in Saaremaa.

Baltic Institute for Crime Prevention and Social Rehabilitation

Goal

Spiritual and moral healing of the society through development and implementation of restorative justice and social crime prevention.

Restorative approach is a way of thinking leading to multifaceted practice of lawmaking and occupational programmes and projects, what effectuates the healing of affected people, the cleaning and animating of environments and relationships essential to the social way of being. Restorative justice has its roots in restorative approach to impaired human relationships and to peace and order in the society.

Baltic Institute for Crime Prevention and Social Rehabilitation

Conflict

Baltic Institute for Crime Prevention and Social Rehabilitation

Definition

• Rehabilitation: „the process, programmes and support systems used to restore someone to a more healthy and useful place in society and life.“

Handbook of Restorative Justice (Willan Publishing, 2007, p 635)

Mission impossible

Estonia 2008 at a glance

• Population 1,25 million• Territory 45,1 thousand km2

• Registered crimes 50, 977• Convicted persons 11574• Prisons 5• Prisoners 3 656 (272 per 100 000)• 2029 released persons (incl. 807 under

probation)

Restructuring aftercare measures

Vision of the Ministry of JusticeSocial worker/chaplain of the respective prison draws up a release plan for the detainee including all necessary services, which is to be forwarded to the social worker/chaplain of the local municipality before the detainee is released. The social worker/chaplain of the local municipality pays a visit to the detainee at the prison.The detainee has to visit his/her support person at the counselling centre during a short visit before the release.After being released the detainee appeals to the regional counselling centre, where he or she will be counselled by the professionals (including by probation supervisors).Detainee receives respective services.

Our vision• To increase of rehabilitation programmes in

prisons.• To focus programmes according to crises and

needs.• Accommodation for at least 200 persons in 6

rehabilitation centres ( 1,5 million EUR).• Network of support persons (community

chaplaincy).• To continue with programmes of effective and

humane treatment , to support the re-entry into community.

Treatment during the time of imprisonment

• Meaningful activities … • Preparation for the release … • Respect /respectful treatment ...

Meaningful activities

• promoting education, • developing emotional intelligence, • teaching skills, • reducing disinclination for thinking, • reckoning emotions, • expanding values, • and guaranteeing employment.

Preparation for the released

• motivation for crime-free lifestyle.• motivational interviewing and prosocial

modelling as a way for learning.• practical help and information.• breaking exclusion, building trust and

inclusion.

Respect

• Respect or respectful treatment is a human right. Guaranteeing this right is the obligation of the prison administration. This approach is possible and there should be courses provided for the prison officials on this issue.

• Dignity is a cornerstone for rehabilitation. By restoring the dignity we build a humane society of human beings.

Thank You!

Baltic Institute for Crime Prevention Estonia, Tallinn

www.crimeless.eu+ 372 50 20 857

Avo.uprus@crimeless.eu