The Interreg VI-A Lithuania–Poland Cooperation Programme Project No. LTPL00388 “Networking towards Successful Resocialization of Convicts and Uniting Society for Common Trust”

On 21 November 2025, the Lithuanian Prison Service and the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Lithuania signed a subsidy agreement for the project “Networking towards Successful Resocialisation of Convicts and Uniting Society for Common Trust” (No. LTPL00388).

The project seeks to strengthen the resocialization of convicted persons and parolees in the Lithuanian–Polish border region by enhancing interinstitutional cooperation, increasing community engagement, and fostering public trust. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing social stigma and expanding access to employment and social integration opportunities.

Key Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project is organized into two main work packages:

Work Package 1 – Strengthening the Networking and Cooperation Capacity of Local Actors Involved in Resocialization of Convicts

Within this work package, institutional capacities and inter-institutional cooperation are strengthened to ensure a more effective resocialization process. Joint workshops and training sessions for Lithuanian and Polish professionals are organized to establish a sustainable cooperation network and to enhance professional competencies for working with convicted persons and supporting their reintegration.

Main activities:

• Joint workshops and training sessions for Lithuanian and Polish professionals.

• Development of a research tool and conducting public attitude surveys on resocialization at the beginning and at the end of the project.

Work Package 2 – Promoting Communities’ Involvement to Foster Common Trust and Successful Resocialization of Convicts

This work package promotes public engagement and fosters positive community interaction with convicted persons.

Main activities:
• Joint initiatives for the renewal of public spaces (in Alytus, Pravieniškės, and the Kaunas district).
• Creative activities and street art projects within the Lithuanian and Polish correctional systems.
• Support group meetings for convicted persons and their families.
• International sports events — a volleyball tournament in Lithuania and a football tournament in the Polish border region — involving community members, convicted persons, and institutional staff.

Expected Outcomes:

Partners and Budget

Project partners:  the Lithuanian Prison Service, the Lithuanian Probation Service, the Regional Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Olsztyn.

Associated partners: the municipalities of Alytus City, Kaunas District, and Kaišiadorys District.

The total project budget amounts to €376,876.12, of which €301,500.89 is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The project will be implemented over a 24-month period, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2027.

Programme website:  www.lietuva-polska.eu

Implementing the Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland Cooperation Programme project LTPL00388 "Networking towards successful resocialization of convicts and uniting society for common trust" seminars/workshops entitled "Possibilities and challenges of parolee's integration: legal, administrative, and social aspects" were held on May 19, 2026, at the Marijampolė Municipality Administration and on May 22 at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas. Both events brought together representatives from Lithuania and Poland, thus becoming an important part of international cooperation, reflecting the very essence of the Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland Programme – to strengthen partnership, mutual trust, and interpersonal connections through joint activities.
Participants and Discussion Topics
Judges, judicial assistants, prosecutors, officials from the Lithuanian Prison Service and Lithuanian Probation Service, as well as partners from Poland who participated in the events jointly discussed the practice of applying conditional release, preparation for the return of convicts to society, and the importance of inter-institutional cooperation. Such participation of various institutions and specialists from different countries was particularly significant, as it allowed comparison of experiences from different regions and highlighted common trends.
During the events, the criteria for applying conditional release, human rights standards in applying intensive supervision and electronic monitoring measures, as well as the role of TOG (Open Regime) units operating in prisons in the resocialization process were examined. The presentations emphasized that for successful integration of convicts, it is important not only to assess their progress in reducing the risk of criminal behavior, but also to ensure consistent preparation for conditional release while still in detention, strengthening cooperation between prisons, probation services, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, and other social partners.
Perspectives and Outcomes
In the closing discussions, participants discussed the prospects for applying the conditional release institute in Lithuania and possible changes, as well as broader opportunities to strengthen inter-institutional and international cooperation in the field of resocialization of convicts. The participation of Polish partners in these events was particularly important, as project LTPL00388 is implemented under the specific objective of the Interreg VI-A Lithuania-Poland Programme – to build mutual trust by promoting interpersonal connections and joint initiatives.
Programme link: lietuva-polska.eu