Save the date for the online Technology in Corrections conference organized jointly by EuroPris and ICPA. From 28 to 30 April, the conference will address in three half-days, three main topics: 1) Disrupted Communications; 2) Disrupted Man-Machine Relations; 3) Disrupted Management. Disruptive technology is an innovation that significantly alters the way that consumers, public service, or businesses operate. During the Technology in Corrections Conference, critical and positive reflections on the use of these technologies will be embraced.

Further information and registration will soon be available on website.

Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, it was decided to re-schedule the European Prison Regime Forum to 2022. Instead, a webinar will be organized in April with a specific focus on the value of sports in prison, on how sport initiatives and contacts with sport clubs can be used for a better reintegration and increased chances for employment. Another focus will be on innovative and future-proof initiatives for prison labor.

Further information on the date, contents and registration will soon be available on website.

We have now published the recordings of the presentation on the website.

What were the biggest challenges you had to face since the crisis began in March?

The corona crisis confronts our society with major challenges and requires a special effort from all of us. This also applies to employees of DJI. Their efforts are deeply appreciated, the way they have adapted to this difficult situation in recent months. The coronavirus obviously has also affected them and their family members. At the height of the crisis, about 10% of DJI's staff were unavailable due to illness, special leave and/or quarantine and pending test results. Staffing levels are still sufficient in all establishments to guarantee continuity in a safe and responsible manner, but it requires a lot of them to manage the difficult situation within the establishments.

The Higher School of Criminology and Penitentiary Science in Warsaw has been announced to hold the next presidency of the European Penitentiary Training Academies Network in 2021. This time, Poland will be hosting the next EPTA Annual Conference and they will also be involved in the next EPTA project ‘Innovating together: Connecting European Penitentiary Training Academies’ which will start in June 2021 until 2024.

Click here to read more about the holder of the presidency.

The first smart prison in Finland was recently opened. Pia Puolakka is a project manager of the Smart Prison Project working for the Finnish Criminal Sanctions Agency, who gives us an insight into the all-female smart prison. The project began in 2018, with the purpose to introduce a new prison concept that includes the use of digital services for rehabilitation, education, and reintegration. Up to 100 single cells will be equipped with a cell terminal (laptop) that has a smart system. Both prisoners and staff have already started with training ICT skills.

Click here to read the full article.

UNICEF will present their first webinar from the Global Series “Access to Justice in the era of COVID-19: Experiences and Lessons from the Field” on 4 February 2021. In this webinar, UNICEF will officially launch and present the findings of the upcoming publications: ‘Field Notes: A Rapid Analysis of Access to Justice for Children and COVID-19’ and ‘Access to Justice for Children in the era of COVID-19: Learnings from the Field’. You will also hear from UNICEF colleagues on justice findings from UNICEF’s Socioeconomic Impact Survey of COVID-19 Response, and the new case study from the UNICEF Europe and Central Asia Region: Making best use of the ‘Technical Note: COVID-19 and Children Deprived of their Liberty’.

Find out more information about the Webinar here.