PR 1:  IDENTIFICATION OF SPORT-BASED ACTIVITIES ACROSS EUROPE

The aim of this ‘State of play’ is to map and analyse existing good/learning practices across Europe that facilitate ‘sport plus’ or ‘plus sport’ activities within prisons, and/or provide ‘through the gate support’.

State of play_Identification of sportbased activities in EU prisons

https://saso.research.vub.be/sppf

 

 

MAPPING OF EXISTING PRACTICES BASED ON :

  • Literature Review: A systematic review of academic literature on ‘sport plus’, ‘plus sport’ and ‘through the gate support’ in prison and a narrative review of non-academic literature was conducted to map inspiring sport-based programmes for prisoners.
  • Online Survey : The survey enabled the project consortium to get a good view on activities that prepare prisoners for life after prison or activities that (might) have a link with the outside world. The survey has been addressed to prison staff, sport and non-sport providers in Europe. The survey has been translated in partner’s national languages.

WHAT IS … ?

A sport plus’ approach, however, refers to sport-based developmental programmes for specific target groups in prison (e.g., prisoners with no or low levels of education). Sport is the primary activity and is used explicitly as an experiential learning context aimed at producing individual developmental outcomes for participants (e.g., sport sessions to develop social skills, self-awareness). The goal of a sport plus approach consists of fostering embodied experiential learning in which the participant is actively involved.

In a ‘plus sport’ approach, sport is used as a tool to reach out to specific target groups in prison (e.g., prisoners with mental problems). Sport is primarily used as a recreational side activity within rehabilitation programmes. The sport component within a plus sport rehabilitation programme can help to facilitate positive contact and social relationships between the rehabilitation officer and prisoners, which is crucial when working with people.

Through the gate’ support consist of sports-based programmes for prisoners that are delivered during custody and after release as interventions to prepare prisoners for life after prison.