Rehabilitation Program for Violent Criminals Proven Successful in Czech Prisons
A pilot program designed to discourage violent criminals from re-offending has successfully concluded its three-year trial phase in the Czech Republic. The program, which is based on a successful rehabilitation model developed in New Zealand, will now be implemented in prisons throughout the country.
The rehabilitation program, known as the Good Lives Model, was originally created by Tony Ward, a clinical psychologist, in 2002. It has already proven effective in reducing recidivism rates in Australia, Canada, and Germany. Three years ago, the Czech Republic became the second European country to introduce the program, recognizing the urgent need to address the high levels of repeat offenses, particularly among violent offenders, in Czech prisons.
Lukáš Salivar, head of the nonprofit organization Volonté, which introduced and facilitated the program in Czech prisons, explains its purpose: to help prisoners change their behavior and find alternative ways of dealing with life’s challenges without resorting to violence. He notes that violence had become the norm for many inmates, and the program aims to provide them with the tools to solve problems in a nonviolent manner.
The Good Lives Model takes a different approach to traditional rehabilitation methods by offering repeat offenders a meaningful alternative to a life of crime. The program helps inmates develop life plans aligned with their values and guides them in implementing these plans in a prosocial way. The cornerstone of the program is approximately 240 hours of group therapy, where prisoners learn to communicate their issues, manage their emotions constructively, and understand the needs of others.
Jaroslav, a former inmate who was imprisoned for attempted murder, describes the value of the program’s group therapy sessions, where participants gather to share their experiences and thoughts. For Jaroslav, having a safe space to speak openly was the most crucial aspect of his rehabilitation journey.
Managed by Miroslava Maťátková from Volonté, the program evokes a range of emotions among participants, including tears, denial, and eventually acceptance. Many prisoners come to the realization that they no longer want to live a life of crime. The pilot program, which involved over 400 inmates from six Czech prisons, has now come to an end and will be extended to all prisons across the country, a goal that Volonté has always aspired to achieve.
Studies from countries where the Good Lives Model has been implemented for longer periods show promising results, with a reduction in repeat offenses by approximately 50%. Former inmate Jaroslav hopes to be counted among those who can attribute their successful reintegration into society to the program.
By introducing this successful rehabilitation program, Czech prisons aim to break the cycle of violence and reduce recidivism rates. The focus on providing prisoners with an opportunity to change their lives and develop new skills offers hope for a brighter future and safer communities. The implementation of the Good Lives Model marks a significant step forward in the country’s prison system, as it strives to rehabilitate and reintegrate individuals who have engaged in violent behavior.
