Erasmus+ expert visit: sharing experiences with colleagues from Ireland
From 19 to 22 May 2024, the Lithuanian Prison Service hosted a delegation of experts from Ireland as part of the Erasmus+ mobility project “Strengthening the Competences of Correctional Staff through the Dynamic Security Model.”
The Irish delegation included prominent representatives from the Irish Red Cross and the Irish Prison Service, notably Dr Graham Betts-Symonds, Advisor to the Irish Red Cross Global Community Health Detention Centres, Emmett Conroy, national infection control manager at the Irish Prison Service (IPS) who is also the head of Global Hub for Community Based Health in Detention Portfolio (CBHinD), and Catriona McGrath, Deputy Director of the Irish Education and Training Board.
The visit aimed to promote international exchange of knowledge, compare best practices, and enhance cooperation in the fields of health, education, and resocialisation.
During the visit, the delegation met with Director General Marius Kairys to discuss the objectives of the programme and explore avenues for continued collaboration. At Pravieniškės Prison No. 1, the Irish team presented the CBHinD initiative implemented in Ireland and took part in joint discussions and training workshop with Lithuanian correctional staff.
Site visits included Domeikava Halfway House and Pravieniškės Prisons No. 1 and 2, where Irish experts were introduced to Lithuania’s evolving correctional approaches. The visitors expressed particular interest in the halfway house model, recognising it as a progressive tool for supporting prisoner reintegration into society.
The final day of the programme featured a presentation at the Competence Development Board, where Lithuanian training and development initiatives were shared, alongside detailed discussions on the implementation and impact of the CBHinD project.
The Irish delegation praised Lithuania’s advances in resocialisation practices, as well as the growing access to health and educational services within the correctional system. They also expressed interest in Lithuania’s TOG programme and its potential applications.
This expert visit marks an important step toward deepening cooperation between the Lithuanian and Irish Prison Services, as well as fostering connections with the Lithuanian Red Cross. Both sides look forward to building on this partnership to introduce innovative, humane, and effective solutions in correctional work.
This project is funded by the European Union. The content of this publication reflects the views of the author only and neither the National Agency nor the European Commission can be held responsible for any information contained herein.
Last updated: 26-05-2025
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