AWARE Study Manual

The AWARE project brings forward as a solution a training programme for prison staff, probation services, civil society organizations and volunteers who work with former prisoners.

We are taking a holistic approach to reduce stigmata about mental health problems, raise awareness of mental health in the criminal justice system and thus contribute to the social integration of prisoners on release. This includes facilitating the exchange of knowledge by establishing a network through staff training and online communities of practice.

To provide impulses for the development of further training, we have reviewed existing scientific and practical findings on mental health in the criminal justice system and gathered them in a state-of-the-art report. Also, to capture the service user voice and analyse needs, we asked prisoners and staff in 5 EU-countries about mental health in prison. Both the state of the art analysis and research report are available on the project website http://www.aware-project.org/

The AWARE training methodology combines both the perspective of correctional justice staff and that of prisoners, aiming thus to ensure that proposed training meets the needs of staff in order to provide them with the most effective support in their work.

The AWARE Training Programme

Module I

• Mental Health Awareness in Prison Definition of mental health/illness and mental health concepts for non-specialised staff
• Understanding of the factors that influence mental health Awareness of the difficulties associated with mental health illness labelling

Module II

• What could/should I (or my colleagues) do as a non-experienced professional/volunteer?
• Support system of the prison for mental health issues and the role of different staff groups
• Inmates perception on the prison support system for mental health issues
• Inmates’ perceptions on the determinants of satisfaction with prison settings

Module III

• What resources do I have?
• Capitalising on prison resources to support mental health issues
• Case management of mental health issues in prison

Module IV

• Mental Health as a primary key to (re)integration
  Resources and support system for inmates after release
• Multiagency cooperation to support the (re) integration of inmates
  AWARE Training
• Implementation
• Participants profiling
  Training course plan

Erasmus – Aware

Toia, M. (coord.) (2020). AWARE Study Manual. Erasmus+ Project AWARE

www.aware-project.org/uploads/9/7/7/2/97721820/eng_aware_study_manual_with_disclaimer.pdf