Ensuring uninterrupted work of the therapeutic community in the penitentiary system and contact with relatives in COVID-19

Now we have prisoners who communicate with relatives via Skype, and this is a plus of the pandemic, however paradoxical it may seem.
Ina Vutcariov Head of Department for Work with People in Conflict with the Law, Public Association ‘Positive Initiative’

Problem and task

During the pandemic, all penitentiary facilities almost stopped any contact with the outside world. Visits are prohibited, all educational activities provided by external organizations are also prohibited. The state of emergency increased the anxiety of the rehabilitation program participants because they were worried about those who stayed at home – parents, wives, children, brothers, sisters who are in danger. The level of vulnerability has grown because prisoners do not know whether the family is  well, whether relatives are able to care about themselves, or whether they are coping. The Executive Code prohibits prisoners from accessing the Internet, and this complicates the process of communication between prisoners and relatives in quarantine.

At the same time, from June 30, 2018 at the Prunkul penitentiary facility with the support of the Positive Initiative and the facility authorities, the rehabilitation program for people who use drugs is working on the basis of the Therapeutic comminity. One of the most important aspects of such a program is its continuity, which has become difficult to ensure due to quarantine restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solution 

After negotiations with the PU-9 administration and a common understanding of the importance of this approach, as well as considering the importance of preventive measures in COVID-19, a consensus was found. The Positive Initiative was the only organization that continued to visit the penitentiary during the pandemic.

Result

The prisoners who are in the Therapeutic community by the penitentiary institution were able to continue the rehabilitation program.

Also, in the penitentiary system, prisoners were allowed to use the Internet during quarantine. They were given the opportunity to call and arrange Skype meetings with relatives more often.