JUSTice in INcarceration

- The JUSTIN project was motivated by legal obligations, national needs and societal benefits. The creation and implementation of the activities of this project could strengthen the legal framework in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. - The project also met an acute need for appropriate training materials and capacity building for mediators in serious crime cases. Until 2021, such services were lacking in both the Czech Republic and Slovakia. - The JUSTIN project has had long-term societal benefits as it has sought to remove negative perceptions of the use of restorative justice in serious crime cases, which can lead to real societal change. - The JUSTIN project addressed the need to strengthen the legal framework in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in line with the obligations under Directive 2012/29/EU and Recommendation R(99)19. - Furthermore, the project addressed the acute need for training materials and capacity building for mediators in serious crime cases that was present in both participating countries. - The JUSTIN project also addressed the need to mitigate negative perceptions of the use of restorative justice in serious crime cases and to facilitate personal interaction between the victim and the offender.

- Building the capacity of serious crime mediators to enable constructive, controlled and safe mediation for all involved. - Enable victims and their families to begin to heal through mediation that offers the opportunity to confront the offender and clarify the motivations and consequences of the crime. - Provide offenders with the opportunity to participate in mediation and to undergo guided reflection on their actions, which can lead to a better understanding of the causes of their behaviour and the remedial action needed. - Anchor best practices of restorative justice in the justice systems of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which can contribute to strengthening the use of mediation in the field of serious crime and to removing the stigma associated with offender-victim interactions. - Increase public awareness of restorative justice and its potential in solving criminal cases and promoting safety in society.

Activity 1: Prepared Input Report for the JUSTIN project in Czech and English. Held kick off meeting in Slovakia to discuss research results and screen the documentary "Eye to Eye". Activity 2: Conducted study visit to Finland to enhance qualifications in restorative justice. Activity 3: Developed online training materials and reprinted guides on Restorative Programmes and Justice in Czech prisons as an input info sources. Analyzed best practices and created Manual for restorative meetings in serious crime cases for mediators in Czech and Slovakia. Activity 4: Provided professional training in Czech Republic for restorative justice mediators. Activity 5: Created and shared comprehensive information package on JUSTIN project in czech and english language. Presented project at international conferences in Sassari and Bratislava. Promoted restorative justice to the public. Activity 6: Held online meetings with IRj a MSSR. Disseminated project information. Managed finances and implemented risk management strategies. Coordinated communication with partners.

- Strengthening the legal framework: the project contributed to strengthening the legal framework in the Czech Republic and Slovakia in line with the obligations under Directive 2012/29/EU and Recommendation R(99)19. - Training materials and capacity building: The project responded to the acute need for appropriate training materials and capacity building for mediators in serious crime cases that existed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Training materials were developed to target the specific needs of mediators in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Professional training for mediators in the field of restorative justice was implemented and successfully followed up by the RESET project in the Czech Republic and the pilot programme of Restorative Meetings in Slovakia, under the patronage of the MSSR - Mitigating negative perceptions of restorative justice: The project aims to mitigate negative perceptions of the use of restorative justice in cases of serious crime and to facilitate personal interaction between the victim and the offender