
“When officers use their authority well, legitimately and carefully, every outcome is improved: suicide, disorder, violence, political charge, and even prisoner’s future.”
– Professor Alison Liebling

PROJECT PRISGRADS

PROJECT PRISGRADS
Who is working on it?
PRISGRADS is an Erasmus+ -funded KA210-VET – Small-scale partnership in vocational education and training between RICHTUNGSWECHSEL, INTERCHANGE (DE) and CPIP (RO). This project actively supports the Pact for Skills ‘Liberate Skills’ and its pledge to increase the professionalisation of correctional staff. Evidenced by Unlocked Graduates, the project maps the potential for innovation in vocational training by introducing university graduates to the prison service and providing opportunities in leadership and development through prison staff mentoring.
Project ID: 2023-2-AT01-KA210-VET-000175776 PRISGRADS
Learn more about our
Effective prison officers are extremely skilled professionals who protect and rehabilitate some of the most vulnerable and damaged people in our society. According to Penal Reform International (2023) staff shortages and high staff turnover are a continuous problem faced by prison systems around the world. The lack of staff causes major disruption in the prison regimes and poorer conditions inevitably leading to further problems for staff and incarcerated individuals.

Internationally, responses to staff crises have been short termed, such as filling gaps through military services or civil servants. In their report on prisons and detention conditions in the EU, the European Parliament discusses guidelines regarding recruitment, selection, education, training and professional development of prison and probation staff (2019). Despite these guidelines, there are no compliance measures monitoring staffing at an EU level, due to prison services being exclusively regulated by Member States. However, the high staff shortages and turnover faced across the continent and their interdependence with poor prison conditions and outcomes undermine the fundamental EU values and principles on which judicial cooperation on criminal matters is based. Whilst we see that increased salaries and improved employment conditions are insufficient in supporting recruitment and retention of good prison staff, we also note that there are pockets of new initatives across Europe, and see evidence that a small culture change within prison systems can trigger big changes. Such an example is the Unlocked Graduates Programme, a leadership scheme recruiting outstanding university graduates into the prison service as frontline officers – having placed over 700 officers in prisons in England & Wales since 2017. Thereby, Unlocked raised the status of working in the prison service and raised awareness of the prison officer role in reducing reoffending – a one-of-its-kind approach and part of the solution to the prison staff crisis. We see an urgent need for prison systems in Europe to learn such effective good practice from one another.

All activities in this project are thus geared towards collecting and sharing evidence of other such effective graduate recruitment practice. The private sector invests heavily in graduate recruitment, on-boarding and mentoring graduates. In funding PRISGRADS, the EU provides a plaform to level the playing field in adapting vocational recruitment and training to prison officers’ reality. This small change could help tackle the EU prison staff turnover and recruitment crisis, and promote fundamental human rights based principles of prison. The project aims to provide an insight into how prison services, as employers, undertake an organised programme to attract and employ students who are going on to complete different forms of education. We will also look at key competences for graduates identified by prison administrations and how their recruitment process filters these skills during recruitment and initial training.
Stay Connected on LinkedIn:
We’ll share updates and exciting content about our seminars and the PRISGRADS project. Be part of the conversation—join our PRISGRADS LinkedIn group if you haven’t already:

OUR CONTRIBUTORS
Interchange (INCH)
Interchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering communities of practice in justice and science communication, promoting lifelong learning. The organization supports, among other initiatives, programs that aid reintegration for incarcerated individuals, helping them transition effectively back into the community post-release.


Center for Promoting Lifelong Learning (CPIP)
CPIP is a non-governmental, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing lifelong learning and social engagement. By fostering community involvement, CPIP supports a culture of continuous education and promotes its core values across diverse, multicultural communities. The center offers counseling, training, and organizes a variety of workshops and seminars, both locally and internationally. CPIP also develops innovative projects on educational and social issues, co-funded by the European Commission, to enrich cultural and educational experiences.
Virtual PRISGRADS Seminar
We are thrilled to announce that our next virtual PRISGRADS seminar will take place on January 29th, 2025!
This seminar offers a unique opportunity to engage in international discussions and gain valuable insights into updates from the PRISGRADS project.
Seminar Overview:
Time: 10:00–13:00 (CET)
Location: Online
Preliminary Agenda:
- 10:00–11:00: Keynote and expert contributions
- 11:00–12:00: Project updates, presentations, next steps, and group work
- 12:00–13:00: Networking opportunity and virtual marketplace
Let’s continue working together to build something truly impactful!
We can’t wait to see you there!
Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/kf0mX
Can’t attend the full seminar? No problem—feel free to join partially!
PRISGRADS In-Person Workshop: Prison Staff Recruitment, Training, and Professional Development
We are excited to announce that the PRISGRADS In-Person Workshop on prison staff recruitment, training, and professional development will take place in Vienna (Austria) from 12th to 14th November 2024.
Workshop Overview:
The PRISGRADS team is excited to host an exclusive in-person workshop focusing on the recruitment, training, and professional development of prison staff. This three-day event will gather professionals from across Europe to explore advanced strategies and innovative practices in these critical areas.
Participants will engage with experts on various topics including staff wellbeing, cutting-edge training methodologies, and professional growth. The workshop will also feature visits to the training academy and an Austrian prison facility, providing an opportunity to observe and exchange with Austrian prison service staff.
Key Highlights:
- Interactive sessions with European professionals
- Insights into innovative training programmes
- Visits to key facilities in Austria
Participation Details:
As this workshop is invite-only, we are not able to accommodate public registrations. However, we welcome expressions of interest and are happy to provide updates on this and future events. For more information or to inquire about potential participation, please contact us at prisgradsproject@richtungswechsel.or.at.
Participation Details:
As this workshop is invite-only, we are not able to accommodate public registrations. However, we welcome expressions of interest and are happy to provide updates on this and future events. For more information or to inquire about potential participation, please contact us at prisgradsproject@richtungswechsel.or.at.
PRISGRADS News and Inspiring Practices in Graduate Recriutment and Retention
A key focus of this project is addressing one of the identified gaps in the field: the lack of shared knowledge and exchange of successful practices in graduate recruitment and retention among correctional administrations.
Too often, prison administrations operate in isolation, unaware of the innovative or inspiring approaches that have proven successful elsewhere. This project seeks to close that gap by fostering the exchange of good, current, and inspiring practices. By creating a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, we aim to build stronger connections between correctional institutions and provide opportunities to learn from each other’s success stories.
Through this initiative, we empower prison administrations to adopt strategies that enhance graduate recruitment and retention, contributing to a more dynamic and sustainable correctional service across regions.
Please visit this page for the materials developed within the project.
PRISGRADS Seminar on Prison Officer Recruitment and Training

📢 PRISGRADS Seminar on Prison Officer Recruitment and Training 🗓️
We are excited to invite you to the next PRISGRADS online seminar on January 29, 2025! 🎉
This session will focus on “Mentoring Programmes in Corrections” and their essential role in supporting (new) staff. The agenda is packed with insightful presentations and interactive sessions — perfect for professionals working in correctional services, HR, education, and justice sectors, who are interested in innovative strategies for recruitment and staff development.
📋 Details:
📅 Date: January 29, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 13:00 CET
📍 Location: Online
📲 Register here: https://shorturl.at/Wfahn
This seminar is part of an ongoing PRISGRADS series, aimed at enhancing recruitment, training, and continuous professional development in correctional services across Europe. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with international experts, share ideas, and explore best practices in correctional mentoring programmes. 💬
⚡ Are you new to this topic?
If you haven’t yet had the chance to engage with PRISGRADS, we’ve prepared a special introductory webinar for you this Friday (January 17, 2025). It’s the perfect way to get familiar with the project and the ideas behind it – This introductory webinar is designed for those who are new to correctional staff development, mentoring, and professional upskilling.
➡️Registration link: https://shorturl.at/7C3Qm
We’re excited to see you in one of the online sessions! 👩🏫👨💻
Join us for the PRISGRADS Online Workshop!

📢 Join us for the PRISGRADS Online Workshop! 🗓️
We are delighted to invite you to our upcoming PRISGRADS webinar – an exciting opportunity to explore innovative strategies for improving recruitment and mentoring in correctional services. 🚀
🗓️ Date: 17th January 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 – 12:00 CET
📍 Location: Online
🔗 Register here: https://shorturl.at/6r1ON
Following our successful virtual and in-person events, this session is designed for those who have not yet had the opportunity to engage with PRISGRADS.
💡 What you can expect:
✅ Discover inspiring recruitment and mentoring practices from across Europe
✅ Participate in dynamic discussions and share your insights
✅ Connect with international experts in the field
Don’t miss this chance to join the conversation, learn from sector leaders, and help shape the future of PRISGRADS. We look forward to seeing you there!
“A shared vision for the future!”





“A shared vision for the future!” 🌟
The final collection of feedback from the PRISGRADS workshop is here! These reflections represent change and impact!
Thank you to everyone who contributed their thoughts – your voices drive us forward!
“Building connections, sparking change!”





💡 “Building connections, sparking change!” 💡
The feedback we received at the PRISGRADS workshop reflects the incredible energy and exchange of ideas that took place. Each note is a reminder of the impact we’re creating together.
Swipe through to see what resonated most with our participants – their insights inspire us to continue innovating!
Hashtag#PRISGRADS Hashtag#SocialIntegration Hashtag#JusticeInnovation Hashtag#CollaborationForImpact💡 “Building connections, sparking change!” 💡
The feedback we received at the PRISGRADS workshop reflects the incredible energy and exchange of ideas that took place. Each note is a reminder of the impact we’re creating together.
Swipe through to see what resonated most with our participants – their insights inspire us to continue innovating!
PRISGRADS Workshop Presentation: Austria’s Innovations
✨ PRISGRADS Workshop Presentation: Austria’s Innovations ✨
For the final post in our PRISGRADS Workshop series, we’re highlighting:
📢 PRISGRADS – Recruiting & Training Prison Officers in Austria
Presenter: Matthias Pocessny, presented at the Prison Staff Training Academy.
This session focused on Austria’s innovative recruitment strategies, structured training programs, and mentoring systems for prison officers.
A big thank you to Matthias and the team at the Strafvollzugsakademie for hosting us and giving us a tour of the academy!
That wraps up our series—thank you for following along with these inspiring insights! 💡🌍



