EPANODOS a non-profit Legal Entity of Private Law
supervised by Greek Ministry for Citizen Protection
Overview:
EPANODOS offers counselling services to guide former inmates in their initial steps back into society, covering areas such as psychosocial, legal, job-related counselling, housing assistance and family support services.
Learning Objectives:
● The importance of organising programs within correctional facilities to prepare prisoners for successful reintegration into society.
● Recognize the significance of activities promoting prisoners’ creative engagement and providing essential training opportunities.
● Appreciate the role of educational and cultural initiatives.
● Understand the collaborative efforts with social services focusing on counselling services and social support for prisoners and their families.
● Knowledge on prisoners’ labour rights, allowances, and financial reliefs, as well vocational training programs and work experience initiatives.
● Understand the provision of short-term housing and sustenance to ex-prisoners, addressing their needs and assisting in problem resolution.
● Inform and encourage organisations to employ ex-prisoners.
● Supporting the establishment of social enterprise by ex-prisoners.
● Importance of informing the community about the challenges faced by prisoners in the criminal justice system, particularly juvenile offenders.
● Understanding the importance of combating stigma and social exclusion through collaboration with private entities and volunteer organisations.
● Importance of active collaboration with stakeholders and networks addressing the risks of victimisation and criminality among minors.
● Importance of active role in “after care” initiatives both nationally and within the European Union and other international organisations.
● The importance of annual reports to the Ministry for Citizen Protection, proposing measures and initiatives for the treatment of ex-offenders.