From 31 October to 2 November 2017, the Roma and Travellers Team organised training for 25 staff members of the sole female prison in Bulgaria. The training provided an overview of various penitentiary systems in Europe, ways of tackling non-discrimination, LGBT-phobia and anti-gypsyism. The staff had also an introduction to working in teams, efficient communication, work ethics and behaviour code, standards of working in a female prison, as well as working with women with special needs.

The training programme was tailored to the needs of the staff after a needs assessment visit had taken place in October with the participation of the national trainer. For the first time this year, the staff of the prison, which was visited earlier in October by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT), took part in the training. The trainers’ team also paid a visit to the prison upon the invitation of its Director to establish the working conditions of staff and see the conditions in which inmates are kept.

The training was financially supported by the The Office of the Directorate General of Programmes (ODGP) Reserve Fund.

The Roma and Travellers Team will provide training to the male prison in Sofia that faces similar challenges.