Transnational Project
​Meeting (TPMs)

​VISION's TPMs serve as catalysts for regional and multidisciplinary collaboration, expediting the project's progress. These meetings ensure that partners actively share their diverse skills and competencies, fostering a dynamic exchange of knowledge and expertise. This collaborative approach enhances the project's effectiveness and enables a more comprehensive exploration of its objectives.

MARCH 11th & 12th, 2024
5th TPM in Romania

On the 11th and 12th of March, our dedicated partnership gathered in Iaşi, Romania, for a pivotal transnational project meeting, steering the VISION project towards its final stages.

The partnership focused on the finalisation and refinement of the project’s immersive VR scenarios, the VISION comprehensive e-learning course, and an informative manual, all ready for pilot testing.

​Another highlight of our meeting was the visit to the Iaşi Penitentiary on the 2nd day, which provided invaluable insights into the Romanian context, allowing the partners to tailor our resources more effectively.
As partners edge closer to the upcoming pilot phases for each product, this is a golden opportunity for prospective participants to join the project e-learning course, contributing to the success of the VISION project.

JANUARY 16th & 17th, 2023
3rd TPM in Spain

On the 16th and 17th of January 2023, representatives of the partner organisations gathered in Barcelona, Spain, to discuss the VISION project’s main goals and work plan.

The VISION project carried out a survey to diagnose the inmates’ motivation for VET programmes and also the strategies that prison services use to involve them in training actions. Prison inmates from the project partner countries answered the survey and partners discussed the conclusions of the data analysis.

The project experts also discussed the design and pilot of the virtual scenarios for VET courses. The pilot scenario will focus on qualifications related to kitchen work (i.e., cooking, bakery and pastry, catering clerk and operator and health and security). The consortium found that kitchen training was one of the most common qualification offers in prisons across the partner countries, presenting more opportunities for its implementation.

The data from the outcomes of these pilot training and feedback from educators, trainers, and other practitioners and organisations involved in the VET deployment will provide key insights about inmates’ decision drivers and motivation.

The second day of the VISION project meeting in Catalonia was marked by a visit to Quatre Camins Prison. Participants learned more about the prison’s workshops: cooking, computing, sewing, carpentry, welding, electronics assembly, and more.

MAY 22nd & 23rd, 2022
2nd TPM in Portugal

The second TPM of the VISION project took place in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 22nd and 23rd, 2022. The meeting was attended by the project partners, who convened to discuss the progress of the project's development, upcoming deadlines, and dissemination strategies.

During the meeting, special attention was given to one of the project's key objectives, namely the development of the "Mapping Inmates Motivation Assessment and Enrolment Strategies" tool. This tool is intended to be utilised by prison training services to facilitate the assessment of inmates' motivation when participating in VET actions. Additionally, the tool will provide recommendations for suitable strategies to engage inmates, thereby ensuring the successful completion of training programmes.

DECEMBER 21st, 2021
Kick-off meeting

The kick-off meeting of the VISION project was held online on December 21st, 2021, and was hosted by the BSAFE Lab of the University of Beira Interior, the project’s promoter. During this meeting, the project was officially launched, and a planning session was conducted to outline the project's development phases.

​This included defining the desired outcomes and tasks to be accomplished by each partner. The partnership also discussed the responsibilities and roles of each partner in relation to each Project Result, with the aim of ensuring seamless collaboration and the successful implementation of the project.

Training Events

VISION's training events are thoughtfully planned to align with the project's products and results. These events serve as a critical step in disseminating the project's methodology and ensuring its practical implementation. The target audience for these training sessions includes VET organisations, prison staff, representatives from prison administrations, NGOs, teachers, and community educators.

​By providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge, these training events empower these stakeholders to effectively put the project's methodology into practice. This strategic approach maximizes the project's impact and ensures that its objectives are realized across various sectors and organisations.

MAY 22nd & 25th, 2023
Covilhã, Portugal

​From the 22nd to the 25th of May 2023, the VISION partners had a 4-day training programme in Covilhã, Portugal, specifically designed for prison education staff. The event, hosted by the University of Beira Interior/BSAFE Lab, was an incredible experience that counted more than 20 participants from different backgrounds, including trainees and partners from France, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Greece, and Italy. 

The training centred around introducing the innovative virtual scenarios developed by the VISION project. These scenarios have been designed to inspire and motivate inmates to actively participate in vocational/educational programmes. We focused on key areas such as commercial cooking, bakery and pastry, catering clerk & operator, and health and safety.

​The participants enthusiastically engaged in practical sessions within the cooking scenario and provided invaluable feedback that will guide our ongoing improvement efforts.

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​One of the highlights was the testing of a tool developed by the VISION project for assessing inmates’ motivation and devising effective strategies for their enrolment in suitable training opportunities. We successfully tested the tool in multiple languages, igniting a stimulating discussion among participants.

​During the week, participants also had the opportunity to visit Covilhã’s prison facility (getting to know more about their education and training programmes) and São Miguel Farm, where inmates can work and acquire valuable agricultural skills during their sentences.

Video

OCTOBER 9th & 12th, 2023
Pietramontecorvino, Italy

​From the 9th to the 12th of October, our forward-thinking training event for the VISION project unfolded! A diverse array of 20 professionals, from trainers to educators, psychologists, and dedicated prison staff, convened for a 4-day session. IRFIP hosted this event in Pietramontecorvino, Italy, where the focus was on immersing professionals in VISION's VR training methodology and scenarios.

​The week wasn't just about hands-on experience; it delved deep into the knowledge and evidence supporting the project's programme.

Moreover, the training introduced participants to an online learning management platform, employing a blended learning approach aimed at inspiring inmates toward Vocational Education and Training (VET) paths.Beyond the enriching training sessions, this event provided an opportunity for collaboration among project partners and offered a glimpse into IRFIP’s cutting-edge laboratories in Troia.

National Seminars

VISION’s National Seminars aim to disseminate the VISION project background, findings, and products at the national level. Additionally, partners promote the exchange of good practices between professionals engaged in VET, trainers, prison educators, NGOs, prison officers, educational institutions, local and central public bodies and agencies, and any pertinent national multi-agency stakeholders.

JUNE 15th, 2023
Can you VISION it? 
Organised by BSAFELAB/UBI, IPS & CPJ.

FEBRUARY 2nd, 2024
Are you a VISIONer now? 
Organised by CPJ, IPS & BSAFELAB/UBI

​The 2nd National Seminar was held on February 2nd, 2024, at the CPJ - Núcleo de Formação de Alcoentre in Alcoentre, Portugal. The event took place in one of the auditoriums at CPJ, with collaborative contributions from UBI/BSAFELab and IPS_Innovative Prison Systems, who jointly presented the contents of the event, and elaborated engaging discussions.

The partners extended invitations to various stakeholders associated with the prison system, including educational technicians, prison guards, psychologists, and others. Additionally, individuals involved in Vocational Education and Training (VET), such as trainers, representatives from educational institutions, NGOs, local and central public bodies, and agencies, were also invited to attend. The Multiplier Event received a total of 35 external participants, namely representers from the Portuguese General Directorate of Reintegration and Prison Services (DGRSP), including the general director himself, prison directors and other professionals (e.g., prison guards, VET educators) working in different prisons across Portugal, VET professionals from CPJ, the justice ministry, and the employment and vocational training institute (IEFP).

A significant majority of the participants expressed satisfaction with the event. The feedback indicated that participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the various products developed within the project. This positive feedback underscores the effectiveness of the event in achieving its intended objectives and highlights the success of the VISION project in disseminating valuable knowledge and resources to its target audience.

FEBRUARY 27th, 2024
Organised by Iasi Penitentiary

​Iasi Penitentiary hosted the 2nd National Seminar on February 27th, 2024, in Iasi, Romania. The activity took place in the Staff Hall within the administrative section of our penitentiary. We extended invitations to all relevant institutions, including both longstanding and new collaborators. Representatives from local agencies such as workforce departments, social work organisations, educational NGOs, and school inspectorates, as well as universities specialising in psychology, law, religion, social sciences, and social work, comprised the main participants at the event.

The session commenced with a presentation outlining the objectives, scope, and results of the VISION project, providing detailed updates on the status of completion for Project Results. Participants had the opportunity to try the final product software with VR glasses, immersing themselves in various virtual kitchen scenarios. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with discussions on new ideas regarding the technology for future projects.

We also addressed the limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of this technology. The core concept of the project was explained clearly, emphasising the practical impact of the intellectual outputs on detainees and prison staff. We elaborated on the vision for the project's results, discussing plans for the ongoing utilization of resources developed through this European partnership. A total of 41 individuals attended the event, including 17 representatives from other penitentiaries in the North-East Region of Romania, 18 representatives from local public institutions and NGOs, and 6 staff members from Iasi Penitentiary.

Participants expressed enthusiasm for the future integration of VR technology into training procedures, even within their own institutions. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with the majority expressing satisfaction with the event.

MARCH 18th, 2024
Organised by IRFIP

​IRFIP organised the 2nd National Seminar on 28th of March 2024 in IRFIP headquarters. We invited stakeholders, trainers, technicians, and professionals interested in VR, VET teachers and school staff. Twenty-four professionals (teachers, tutors, and educators) attended the event.

We briefly presented the project and all the results achieved, focusing on the e-learning course for trainers. Our idea was to use the national seminar opportunity to collect interest and participation in the course. Indeed, by presenting the activities and experiences done in the two training events in Covilhã and Pietramontecorvino, we stimulated the interest and curiosity of the participants. At the end of the ME, we collected the names of participants who will join the e-learning course.

Professionals were very enthusiastic and interested in the VR and kitchen scenarios and, in general, in the methodology of VR adapted to the educational field.

 JANUARY 31st, 2024
Organised by Athens Lifelong Learning Institute

​The first National Seminar for the VISION project in Greece, hosted by the Athens Lifelong Learning Institute, took place on 31st January 2024. The event was attended by 33 professionals from the fields of prison education, vocational training, Criminal Justice System, adult education and lifelong learning.

Significant stakeholders and policy makers were present during the event, such as the General Secretary of the Anti-crime Policy in Greece, the Secretary of the Greek Federation of Prison Staff, the Director of the Correctional Institution in Amfissa, the Head of the Directorate of Vocational Training of the Public Employment Service, and the Head of Vocational Education & Training in Thessaly.

Participants had the opportunity to learn more on the current provisions in prison education across the country and on vocational training initiatives in prisons in Greece. Moreover, during the event the VISION project was presented in detail, including its central outputs and results, such as the Motivational Tool, the Learning Scenarios with the use of Virtual Reality applications and the User Manual for professionals in the field of vocational education and training.

Two participants from the project’s Joint Staff Training Events contributed significantly in this part of the event. The opportunities from the use of Virtual Reality in correctional settings were also highlighted as part of the effort to support inmates in the development of skills and in their future employability.

Finally, the next steps of the project implementation in Greece were explained, in an effort to engage the relevant stakeholders and guarantee their support.
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It was a necessary and important event for all professionals in the field of vocational training and prison education, which allowed the Athens Lifelong Learning Institute to promote the VISION project, to expand its network in the field and to illustrate vividly that solutions to the urgent issue of prison education exist, especially through large-scale cooperation and mutual efforts by relevant organisations.