Vilnius Hosts Final EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group Workshop
On 14–15 October 2025, Vilnius hosted the final workshop of the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group, marking the first-ever EuroPris event held in Lithuania. The two-day workshop brought together approximately 50 representatives of prison services from across Europe to exchange knowledge and best practices on ensuring the physical and psychological wellbeing of prison staff.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Gustav Tallving, Director of EuroPris (European Organisation of Prison and Correctional Services), and Mindaugas Kairys, Director General of the Lithuanian Prison Service.
“The strength of the prison system depends on the people who work in it—their motivation, sense of security, and confidence in their mission. Therefore, improving the wellbeing of employees is one of our top priorities. We are delighted that Lithuania has become the venue for the EuroPris partners' meeting, where we share our experiences and work together to find the most effective solutions in this area,”
said Mindaugas Kairys, Director General of the Lithuanian Prison Service.
During the workshop, the EuroPris Staff Wellbeing Expert Group presented the main outcome of their two-year collaboration—an interactive digital tool designed to help prison services assess and enhance staff wellbeing. The tool offers practical guidelines, recommendations, and real-life examples, along with a diagnostic component to identify organizational strengths and areas for improvement.
Academic experts from universities in the United Kingdom and Ireland delivered insights on the psychological and physical health of prison staff and management, emphasizing the role of leadership in fostering effective teamwork and resilience within correctional institutions.
The workshop also featured interactive group sessions, encouraging participants to share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore innovative approaches to building a sustainable culture of staff wellbeing across European prison systems.
Founded in 2011, EuroPris is a network of 41 national prison agencies across Europe, working together to promote professional prison practice, fostering cooperation and knowledge exchange in pursuit of more effective, humane, and professional correctional systems. The Lithuanian Prison Service, a member since 2013, continues to contribute actively to this European network.
Last updated: 29-10-2025
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