Project – Networking and Training Opportunities for More Humane Prisons lithuanian

The journey began in Liepāja hosted by  Radi Vidi Pats— not only in NGO meetings but with the prison and probation systems. Walking through Liepāja Prison, resocialization staff  shared  what life inside looks like beyond statistics. The tour of the Probation Agency held discussions on second chances- highlighting volunteer mediation and resocialization support as reintegration support systems to help people return to society. A standout poetry writing workshop with inmates demonstrated ways to transform pain into meaning, art through words became a way of rehumanization while naming key needs and concerns-  dissolving barriers between visitors and incarcerated individuals as stories were shared.  Naomi Enns from LCC called it invaluable; “It gave new insight and skill in ways to build trust…ending with clowning skills to remind inmates of their ability to laugh and play even in dark spaces”. This activity modeled healing encounters through creative expression- grounding the project in real experiences by both volunteer conversations and practices that help build layers of trust. 

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In Klaipėda, the focus shifted from observing → to doing. The Center for Dialogue and Conflict Transformation at LCC International University hosted and led both the  DPC-Global training of trainers and training of facilitators which equipped participants to facilitate dialogue in conflict contexts and prison system settings. They practiced conflict mapping to identify destructive cycles and alternative paths for staff support.  Participants stepped into the role of training facilitators. They practiced how to guide difficult conversations, understand conflict, and create space where people feel heard. This wasn’t just theory — it was about learning how to show up in complex, emotional environments and respond with skill and care.  Key tools included empathic communication for emotional conflict environments. Within the training, exploring conflict mapping and the pillars that keep destructive conflict going helped to identify key issues within prison systems and ways to identify alternative paths to support staff. This stage of the project strengthened participants’ ability to apply dialogue and apply empathic mediative communication in real-life settings.

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Visits to Fryshuset, a youth community NGO involved in prison support services and probation offices showcased reintegration models amid challenges like epidemic gang crime. Conversations with various staff showed what rehabilitation can look like when systems are built on trust. Dialogues covered community involvement, early intervention, changing cultural realities, volunteer programs, and post incarceration buddy systems. One participant prized the first-day dialogue: "We talked about real-life experiences and how people support inmates, which made everything feel very real and meaningful." Observations stressed volunteer recognition in healing strategies.  Seeing these models in practice sparked important reflections: What works? What can be adapted? What needs to change? The need for more engagement between community workers and inmates at every level of incarceration was noted as well as the difficulties within the system for long-term guidance by experts.  A helpful trip to one of Sweden’s probation offices allowed us to see the intricate weaving of programs by the state with social services towards rehabilitation and strong approaches towards a positive work culture. Fryshuset’s community volunteer organization network visit provided a glimpse of circle way connections- bridging from inside prison to outside inmate support groups.  This exchange broadened perspectives and deepened the shared understanding of effective rehabilitation practices. This visit reinforced learning that there is a need for recognition and ‘to be seen’ as part of inmate healing strategies for authentic desires for change in seeking new behavioral alternatives to grow. 

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The final exchange in Vilnius was a moment to pause, reflect, and connect with everything we had learned. Hosted by Prirašytos Rankos, the  program focused on the Lithuanian context while also looking forward — asking how these insights can be carried into future work. Activities spanned prison museum visits (KGB and Lukiskes), a probation office tour, and CDCT ran a key workshop "Witnessing without Wounding: Impact of Trauma and Incarceration – Resilience for All."  Participants explored something often left unspoken — the emotional weight of working in prison environments.  They explored vicarious trauma using resources like Addressing the Impact of Trauma of Incarceration (AITI at hdpi.org) and Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR). Participants addressed psychosocial impacts, breaking violence cycles, and caregiver self-care.  Alongside this, discussions and creative sessions connected theory with real-life experiences, helping participants better understand both systems and the people within them. A visit to probation services was a highlight , valued by all, Douglas Enns (a prison volunteer from LCC) noted: "Their intention and care... provided sparks of light, healing, and hope," noting Lithuania's 90% female probation staff. And a shorter training offered participants a deep dive into the life of inmates and the challenges of reintegration by Prirašytos Rankos that allowed us to reflect collaboratively on actions that would help to make our communities safer and strengthen healing when crime has occurred.