As part of the Pompidou Group’s ongoing support to Ukraine in the rollout of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) programmes in prison, and with the support of the Council of Europe Project “Towards more humane detention conditions and reduced reoffending in Ukraine (DECOPRIS)”, the 4th hybrid prison staff training was co-organised with the Health Center of the State-Criminal Executive Service of Ukraine on 3-4 October 2024.
The training brought together a multidisciplinary group of 20 participants, including healthcare professionals, security staff, and educators from the Kropyvnytskyi, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions in Western Ukraine. The training provided in-depth knowledge on medication-assisted treatment in prison, external factors that influence treatment effectiveness and showcased the drug treatment systems of the Republic of Moldova and Norway. Learning from the experience of other countries, including neighboring ones, proved to be fruitful and can be a source of inspiration, as noted by the participants of the training.
A key feature of the training was a study visit to the Lviv Pre-trial Detention Centre (No. 19), where participants observed first-hand the administration of methadone in the pre-trial detention facility, where OAT was introduced with the help of the Pompidou Group in 2021.
Since 2018, Ukraine has made notable progress in expanding OAT programmes within its penitentiary system. By 1 January 2025, 10 new custodial sites with available OAT programme will be established, raising the total to 26 facilities across 19 regions, and delivering essential healthcare services to more than 580 individuals in detention. This expansion is a significant step forward in providing better access to healthcare for people in detention, especially those coping with substance use disorders, and reflects Ukraine's commitment to improving health conditions in its correctional facilities.
The Pompidou Group continues to support Ukraine in this important process by providing prison professionals with enhanced theoretical knowledge, practical tools, and evidence-based practices, ensuring that OAT programs are implemented successfully and in line with international standards.
