PREP is an Erasmus+ project (KA220-ADU-A5190BFC) which aims to design and evaluate a new integrated approach to an entrepreneurship education program for prisoners. These programs are evidence-based approaches to reduce the recidivism rate among prisoners, but given that most entrepreneurial ideas fail, a program that solely focuses on business aspects is not enough for achieving positive long-term effects. As many prisoners face social stigma and prejudices when searching for a job, this project wants to raise awareness for alternative ways of reintegrating through work, i.e. through entrepreneurship. Apart from a business-mindset, prisoners also need a psychological-mindset approach to entrepreneurship to assure that they can work in an autonomous, goal-oriented and sustainable manner. As a result, trained prisoners will generate business ideas, which they ideally turn into a reality after release, thereby reducing the recidivism rates.
Thus, our new integrated and multidisciplinary approach aims at improving previous programs in three different ways:
- A multidisciplinary approach for the training, including fundamental training modules for reintegration.
- Integrate the psychological-mindset approach into entrepreneurial training programs, which might prove to be even more relevant to prisoners.
- Incorporate the post-release phase into the training by building capacity in community-based organizations for entrepreneurial coaching of ex-prisoners.
More specifically by implementing the project we want to achieve the following goals:
A. Creating an evidence-basis for prison entrepreneurship programs
B. Teaching prisoners’ fundamental knowledge and skills that will facilitate their reintegration
C. Foster entrepreneurial intentions among prisoners and train psychological and entrepreneurial skills
D. Build capacity in community-based organizations for entrepreneurial coaching of ex-prisoners
E. Raising awareness in the society at large for a more inclusive approach towards ex-prisoners
F. Inclusiveness
For more information on the project, please visit https://prisonentrepreneurship.eu