Otsinguvorm

Otsinguvorm

Kriminaalpoliitika.ee on justiitsministeeriumi kriminaalpoliitika osakonna võrgukodu.


Reentry service

PrintPDF Jaga

From 2015-2023, mentorial and accommodation services are provided to the persons to be released from the prison as reentry services. Reentry services imply that the person will be integrated into society, and it is done on the basis of his or her free will. In order to avoid crime, the return to the community should be thought-out, realistic and planned, constructive and supportive of the person to be released.

Mentorial services aim to increase the participation of the person who is released from the prison in the labour market, his or her use of social services, and thereby reduce recidivism. Mentorial services contribute to improving social inclusion of the person to be released and his or her options to cope.

The objective of the mentor is to offer support to the person to be released and integrated into society. A mentor makes the return to freedom smoother and more secure. The contact between a mentor and the person to be released will be established before the release from the prison and it will continue in the community. The needs of the person to be released will be identified and he or she will be prepared for release in the prison. Upon release, the action plan will be implemented. The objective is to support the person to be released in order to keep him or her away from committing new crimes, and ensure that he or she would learn social skills and return to the labour market. A mentor cooperates with regional authorities, housing centres and prison staff. Cooperation with a mentor will last up to year and a half. 

The aim of housing is to provide the person to be released with a temporary place to stay if this person does not have a place of residence or it is unsuitable for living after the release. The buildings have good living conditions, a kitchen with the necessary equipment, a leisure and study room, a laundry room, a washing machine and other items required for everyday activities. At least one helping and observant person is constantly in the house. Housing is offered for up to half a year. If possible, housing can be provided for a longer period of time.

Housing is not merely a place where one can stay temporarily. All persons to be released will receive an action plan, which sets out goals and activities to achieve these goals, for example, registering as unemployed in Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund, submitting an application for housing, etc. The housing staff provides relevant support and advice. The services include the option to receive help from a social worker, an experience or debt counsellor, as well as from a psychologist. In order to create work habits, on-site work will be organised.