Champions Community

“Be a part of tomorrow today”

Project Overview

The Champions Community aims to address the complex challenges faced by staff in correctional institutions.

In our one-year leadership programme, we guide leading Prison Middle Managers (PMMs) in Germany, Malta, and the Czech Republic as Champions. The Champions receive mentoring, international training sessions (“residentials”), and access to a sustainable community for exchange, learning, and shared responsibility.

The initiative is led by Richtungswechsel in collaboration with Dr. Sarah Lewis and her team at Grow Transform Belong CIC, as well as Steven Van De Steene of Smart Corrections. We focus on building a leadership community to positively develop the culture within correctional institutions and strengthen the connection between prisons and the wider community. The Champions Community seeks to promote collaboration through effective interdisciplinary work, increase job satisfaction, foster a participatory culture, and strengthen legitimacy.

DO YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE CHAMPIONS COMMUNITY? JOIN US!

Vision

The Champions Community envisions a transformative shift in European prison systems towards a more humane and effective environment for both incarcerated individuals and staff. The long-term societal change aspired to is a comprehensive cultural transformation within detention settings that prioritises staff well-being, reduces recidivism rates, and enhances the (re)integration prospects for formerly incarcerated individuals. This vision includes the establishment of a resilient European network of professionals dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in correctional practices.

Geographical Area

The pilot of the Leadership Program spans three European countries that were selected for their potential to contribute effectively to the initiative: Germany (Bremen), Malta, and the Czech Republic.

Target Groups

Ultimate Beneficiaries:
All staff, service leaders, incarcerated individuals, families, and the broader community, benefiting from an improved detention culture and social integration.

Direct Beneficiaries:
Champions, their colleagues, mentors, and trainers who will receive leadership development and training to drive cultural change.

Indirect Beneficiaries:
Other prison staff who will benefit from the positive changes fostered by the Champions, serving as inspiration for professional development within the detention system.

Project Activities

The project consists of multiple stages designed to cultivate a culture of growth within detention facilities:

Stage 0: Preparation
Identification of objectives, mentor needs, and initial recruitment of mentors and champions.

Stage 1: Assessing Culture
Participants undergo residential training focusing on current prison culture and future-oriented practices, complemented by prison visits and ongoing mentorship.

Stage 2: Implementing Change
In the second residential training phase focus on culture change strategies, reinforced by continued mentorship and progress check-ins.

Stage 3: Maintaining A Culture Of Growth
Training sessions and prison visits sustain growth practices, culminating in a final summit for knowledge sharing and documentation of insights.

Stage 4: Evaluation
A follow-up evaluation assesses the leadership programme’s impact, refines strategies, and fosters knowledge dissemination among participants.

The Impact

Champions: Empowerment through leadership development and mentorship.
Incarcerated Individuals: Improved environment leading to higher chances of successful (re)integration.
Other Prison Staff: Enhanced work environment, reduced occupational stress, and improved job satisfaction.
Mentors and Trainers: Opportunities to share their expertise while gaining valuable experience.

Building a European-Wide Community

A fundamental aspect of the Champions Community project is the creation of a European-wide network of detention professionals. By leveraging existing networks such as EPTA and collaborating with organisations like ICPA and other organisations in the leadership development space, the project aims to create a sustainable platform for continuous learning and systemic change across the European correctional landscape. This community will actively engage with members of the RESCALED movement, co-creating staff development and cultural enhancement initiatives across the detention landscape.

OUR NETWORK

The project is lead by Richtungswechsel as project coordinators with GTB – CIC and Smart Corrections as partners. Additionally, we will engage a range of stakeholders, including:

Academic Institutions: Collaborating for research and evaluation.
NGOs: Co-creation with experts like the Scandinavian Prison Project Consortium and SmartCorrections for resource sharing and support.
Local Experts: Involvement from local NGOs for mentorship and implementation guidance.
Consortium and Expertise: Integration with other initiatives in the staff training space and its members to ensure alignment with transformative goals in detention systems.

Grow Transform Belong

Grow Transform Belong (GTB) is a Community Interest Company focused on empowering people and organizations to grow and connect. With a vision of building an inclusive, safe community, GTB unites like-minded individuals to create a collective impact.

GTB works in schools, prisons, and communities with three main priorities:

Raising awareness and providing tailored projects and training for those in need.
Connecting passionate individuals for a collaborative approach to social justice.
Measuring collective impact through the Growth Alliance, emphasizing relationship-centered work.

Through events and campaigns, GTB highlights social justice issues and offers membership services to unite people and organizations for positive change. Its Growth Projects in education and criminal justice focus on transforming organizational culture and solving challenges.

GTB collaborates with service users and staff to find sustainable solutions, continuously learning and improving through research. By partnering with Growth Alliance members, GTB fosters collaboration over competition, working towards lasting social change.

Smart Corrections

Smart Corrections is a French Company focused on the support and development of innovation and digital strategies for organisations working in Corrections. We believe that positive organisational change in a digital world needs a holistic and integrated approach underpinned by ethical and human-centric principles.