Prisoner Reintegration through Entrepreneurship and Psychology (PREP)

High recidivism rates show that reintegration efforts often fall short. Employment reduces reoffending, but stigma, lack of qualifications, and weak professional networks hinder ex-prisoners from ...

Our ERASMUS+ project developed an entrepreneurship education program for prisoners, addressing business skills and reintegration challenges through a multidisciplinary approach. A key outcome was a self-paced e-learning course, combining business fundamentals and psychological training to foster motivation and resilience. Accessible during and after incarceration, it ensures continuity in learning. A transnational report advocated for integrated entrepreneurship programs, offering policy recommendations. The project also built life skills for reintegration, covering housing, finances, and family connections, while fostering entrepreneurial intentions. To ensure post-release support, we collaborated with reintegraton organizations to introduce entrepreneurial coaching and developed a coaching tool for reintegration staff. To combat stigma, we launched a public awareness campaign, showcasing success stories of ex-prisoners turned entrepreneurs. This project demonstrated that a holistic approach, integrating business, psychology, and social work, equips prisoners with skills, resilience, and support for self-employment after release.