Harm reduction in the prison system

The project will concentrate on:

• Information and education of prison staff and drug users
• Basic knowledge of prisoners on personal hygiene and preventive measures
• Information for the surroundings of prisoners such as family, partner and friends

Health promotion activities are considered to be the foundation for the further development of:

• health care, health education and health promotion for prisoners
• safety and good detention climate for prisoners
• safety and good working conditions for personnel
• programmes and treatment for drug users in prisons

General aim of the project is to improve the health situation in prisons (regarding staff and inmates) through developing health promotion activities. The focus of the project will be on three target groups:

1. Prison staff
2. Inmates
3. Family/partners/friends of inmates

DJI and the Trimbos Institute, in close cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of Justice, Yeniden Health and Education Society, the Ümraniye prison (and eventually Metris and Silivri prison) will contribute to this aim through the following activities:

1. A Rapid Assessment (RAR) including development of a RAR-manual geared to the Turkish situation
2. Study visit to the Netherlands
3. Training of staff about health promotion (covering mental health, infectious and communicable diseases, drugs and drug use)
4. Supporting the development of information and education material
5. Supporting day programme development
6. Peer work in prisons
7. Developing programmes to involve and support family/partners/friends of inmates
8. Intervision of prison staff
9. Training of trainers
10. Work conference(s)