Interview
Kim Ekhaugen
Head of International Cooperation in the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service
Kim Ekhaugen, Head of International Cooperation at the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service, shares insights into the impact of EEA/Norway Grants on correctional systems in several European countries. From modernising prison infrastructure to enhancing staff training and rehabilitation efforts, he highlights key projects that have improved conditions and promoted reintegration.
What is the focus of the EEA/Norway Grants in the penitentiary sector?
KE: The Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI) has been a Donor Programme Partner (DPP) in Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Poland from 2014 to 2021. The main role of the DPP is to support the implementation of the programmes in the beneficiary countries, facilitating experience exchange and capacity building, as well as ensuring the effectiveness and good management of the projects.
In our role as DPP, we serve as the key contact point between the Norwegian bilateral project partners and the project promoters in the beneficiary countries. Four out of the five administrative regions of the Norwegian Correctional Service have been involved in the implementation of Norway Grants.
A total of 21 Norwegian partners — prisons, half-way houses, probation offices, and the University College of the Norwegian Correctional Service (KRUS)—represent these regions and contribute as bilateral donor project partners in the implementation of the Programmes in the 6 above mentioned countries. These Norwegian partners bring expertise across several aspects of correctional services, and KDI ensures that cooperation is coordinated effectively across international borders.
Each country has its own unique and specific programmes. However, the challenges faced by correctional services in beneficiary countries share many similarities.
The DPP cooperation within EEA/Norway Grants has therefore focused on common priorities, such as the training of staff, management development, ensuring that training curricula align with the European Convention on Human Rights, and creating pilot facilities that allow for the implementation of new operational approaches and provide a space where prison officers under education can be trained by mentors. Additional focus areas include strengthening cooperation between prison and probation
services, and emphasising the use of alternative sanctions, such as electronic monitoring, and open prisons or halfway houses, where those deprived of liberty can serve the last part of their sentence, as a preparation for release.
At a broader level, across all areas, the EEA/Norway Grants aim to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe and enhance bilateral cooperation between donor and beneficiary countries.
Could you highlight some recent infrastructure projects in the penitentiary sector that have been supported by the EEA/Norway Grants? How have these projects contributed to improving prison conditions and supporting rehabilitation efforts?
KE: In the programme period 2014-21 many of the beneficiary countries have undertaken large construction projects. This reflects the fact that many of the countries have old infrastructure and need to address this through both renovation and new construction in order to improve prison conditions. Education has also been an important topic in several countries, with three of them prioritising the creation of new training centres for prison officers.
In Bulgaria, a completely new correctional complex has been constructed in Samoranovo. This complex includes a training centre for prison officers, a pilot prison, a half-way house, and a social centre. In Lithuania, the construction projects include a modern training centre for prison and probation staff, four new half-way houses, and a workshop centre to provide meaningful activities for prisoners. Similarly, Latvia has built a modern training centre, where both national and international experts will be invited to
deliver lectures for the prison officers in training. Poland has established four pilot complexes in different
regions, designed to support reintegration based on the principle of a seamless penal system. Each complex features a new unit accommodating approximately 200 residents, a production hall to develop employable skills and prepare incarcerated individuals for their return to the job market, and a half-way house.
It is important to mention that these construction projects are closely integrated with institutional advancements, such as the creation of training programmes for staff, the implementation of new operational procedures, the introduction of dynamic security measures, and various rehabilitation programmes.
The overarching goal in all countries is to improve both the physical prison conditions, while also supporting rehabilitation efforts and improve the sentence-serving outcomes for those in custody.
Looking ahead, what are the key priorities in EEA grants penitentiary sector programme for the coming years?
KE: The priorities for the next programme period of the EEA/Norway Grants in the penitentiary sector are still being finalised, as the “Blue Book,” which outlines the focus areas for the correctional service and justice sector, has not yet been published. While it is too early to confirm specific areas of emphasis, there have been preliminary discussions about potential priorities.
Some of the areas under consideration include addressing the needs of women and young people in custody, as well as addressing the needs of vulnerable groups, such as individuals with mental health conditions. These topics align with the ongoing aim of creating fairer, more supportive correctional environments.
Kim Ekhaugen
Head of International Cooperation in the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service
Kim Ekhaugen has served as Director of International Cooperation at the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service (KDI) since 2014. This includes managing the EEA/Norway Grants for prison and probation service projects in several European countries. He has been responsible for a bilateral programme with Russia, and a KDI project office in Ukraine, but both these projects came to a natural end with the Russian invasion to Ukraine in 2022. Mr. Ekhaugen is also responsible for cooperation with
USA through the joint programme with Amend, as well as overall international cooperation outside the given bilateral and multilateral agreements. Since 2021, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), being elected as Vice-President in 2024.
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