On 21 August, Valmiera Prison hosted an Open Day for Employers, bringing together experts and representatives of state and municipal institutions, employer organisations, and the non-governmental sector to discuss the prison’s role in strengthening public safety and promoting the successful reintegration of prisoners into society.
Resocialization is a purposeful process focused on enabling individuals to lead a law-abiding and stable life after serving their sentence.
"For individuals to successfully return to the labour market after their release, employers must also be willing to challenge stereotypes and evaluate people based on their skills, motivation, and willingness to work rather than solely on their past. That is why it was especially important to meet with employers today, hear their perspectives, and discuss what is needed to build successful cooperation. Such meetings should certainly continue in the future," emphasised Indulis Ceriņš, Governor of Valmiera Prison.
An approach based solely on control and isolation cannot deliver sustainable results. Therefore, a shift towards a model that promotes personal responsibility is necessary. This means actively engaging incarcerated individuals in their own development process by building skills, making decisions, and learning to take responsibility for their actions.
"Resocialization is a purposeful process whose success largely depends on whether the changes achieved during imprisonment continue after release. We can help individuals develop skills, change behavioural patterns, and take greater responsibility, but successful reintegration into society also requires employment, housing, and a comprehensive support system," said Tatjana Ļudvikova, Head of the Resocialization Department at Valmiera Prison.
At the same time, it is emphasised that resocialization does not end when a person leaves prison. The transition back into society is a critical phase that requires coordinated and continuous support. Individuals return to their communities and the labour market, where the quality of their future lives is largely determined by the support available to them.
As part of the Open Day programme, an expert discussion titled “Employment on the First Day After Release: A Model for Establishing Employment Relationships” was held. During the discussion, experts explored the most effective cooperation models between employers and employees both during incarceration and after release.
