
Description
Skills 4 Life focuses on young offenders’ self-growth and personal development. By applying the principles of desistance theory, it envisions the development and the implementation of an intervention that values people for who they are and for what they could become, rather than judging, rejecting or containing them for what they have done.
The project serves a dual purpose:
[a]. to frame a new context in which young offenders may negotiate new, prosocial non-criminal identities and pathways for their lives,
[b]. to provide them the tools to put their lives back on track after release.
It proposes the development of a holistic learning programme which will look at the needs of the individual so that they can personally develop, successfully face any challenges -both while serving their term and after their release- and enjoy a meaningful, fulfilling life.
Results
- The Skills4Life Curriculum comprised of four (4) distinct modules:
- Module 1. Personal Empowerment: Resilience, Self-Esteem, Self-Regulation and Personal Growth,
- Module 2. Social Bonds and Personal Relationships,
- Module 3. Life Skills,
- Module 4. Planning for Life After Release.
- The “Life After Release” Plan
- The Student Handbook printed in one thousand (1000) copies in each national context.
- The Trainers Guide, in the form of an e-book, comprised of the following sections:
- Introduction to the Training: Background Resources
- Desistance Theory and the Role of Individual Agency
- The Role of Prison Education in Desistance
- Principles of Non-Formal Education and Learning.
- The Skills4Life Implementation Guide
Activities
- Literature review and young offenders’ needs analysis.
- Development of the Skills4Life Curriculum and all the required educational resources for the personal development of young offenders and their re-integration back into the community.
- Pilot implementation of the Skills 4 Life learning activities in prisons.
- Development of the Implementation Guide – a manual for all interested parties who wish to adapt, localize and replicate the project approach in different settings and in different countries.
- Transnational events and conferences.
Partners
- Institut Saumurois de la Communication (France) – Coordinator
- European Prison Education Association (Norway)
- University of Gloucestershire (United Kingdom)
- CESIE (Italy)
- Athens Lifelong Learning Institute (Greece)
More Information
Date of the Project:
2021 – 2023

Funding programme:
Erasmus +, Key Action 02, Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
Tags:
Prison Education, Personal Development, Erasmus+
Contact:
mmenegaki@athenslifelonglearning.gr