From 29 April to 1 May 2024, a three-day training for psychologists from the State Department for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions of Ukraine took place in Truskavets, Ukraine. The objective of the training was to equip the participants with the necessary skills to pilot a newly developed rehabilitation programme for prisoners who use psychoactive substances, and subsequently to implement the programme within correctional institutions and remand centres.
The event was opened by Olena Vysotska, Deputy Minister of Justice of Ukraine, who expressed gratitude for the project's contribution to the efforts towards rehabilitation of convicts.
The goal of the rehabilitation programme is to support prisoners in developing skills that will allow them to stay away from the use of psychoactive substances, both during their stay in prison and after release.
Over the course of three days, 22 future pilot-facilitators guided by two national consultants examined in detail 14 sessions of the rehabilitation programme. They improved their skills in applying modern approaches to correctional work with individuals who use psychoactive substances, focusing on areas such as motivational counselling and help with emotional regulation.
The participants emphasized the importance of the practical component of the training for building effective interaction with inmates and success in implementing a correctional and rehabilitation programme.
The training was the first event of the Council of Europe Project "Towards more humane detention conditions and reduced reoffending in Ukraine (DECOPRIS)" after its official opening.