Digital skills training to ease return of prisoners to the German labour market

This might be the key to their successful re-integration

In the German state of Schleswig-Holstein, a new initiative for successful rehabilitation of prisoners after their release will be launched. Justice Minister and the Deputy Head of the Regional Directorate North of the Federal Employment Agency signed yesterday, 26 April 2021, an agreement to modernise the labour market counseling concept for prisoners.

The contract continues the course taken ten years ago by the State of Schleswig-Holstein, the Regional Directorate North, and the Schleswig-Holstein work centres to help people who have committed criminal offences in their reintegration into the labour market as part of their recovery. This is seen as a step to reducing the possibility of relapse into crime.

In preparation for discharge, digital media can be used more extensively. As a result, in the job-related release preparation, teaching digital and media skills is extremely important. So is electronic information accessibility and more particularly electronic applications and application processes.

Justice Minister Claus Christian Claussen commented on the new agreement: “The prison has the task of preparing prisoners for a life of social responsibility without criminal offenses. Today this also means introducing them to a life in an increasingly digitised world. The preparation for discharge in prison must accommodate these changes."

Thomas Letixerant, Deputy Head of the Regional Directorate North of the Federal Employment Agency, emphasised: “Starting a job or training is key to successful rehabilitation. However, it does not only help the former prisoners. It also contributes to securing the workforce. Because this topic remains of the greatest importance given the demographic development - regardless of the current Corona crisis. Everyone is needed."

Expanding an e-learning platform in different prisons

The Schleswig-Holstein prison is currently expanding the infrastructure of the e-learning platform (electronic learning in prison) in prisons in Kiel, Lübeck, Neumünster and Schleswig. The learning platform is accessible through a protected internet log-in. In addition to the previous emphasis on school and adult learning activities, it now includes a second emphasis on job-oriented discharge readiness.

It is now possible to gain access to knowledge offers such as work-sharing, information about careers and training, performance criteria, and opportunities. This infrastructure can also be used to make electronic applications, reports, and appointments.