What we do
Today
The Champions Community is delivered through a one-year international leadership programme for prison middle managers from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Malta. The programme combines:
- tailored coaching and mentorship
- international residential sessions
- peer learning and collaboration
- and the development of a long-term professional community
Our focus is on strengthening leadership in practice – supporting participants to create environments where growth, dignity, and reintegration can truly flourish.
Beyond the programme itself, we aim to build a sustainable international network of professionals who share responsibility, exchange knowledge, and drive cultural change across prison systems.
Project Overview
The “Champions Community” project is designed to address the multifaceted challenges encountered by prison staff by identifying and supporting leading Prison Middle Managers (PMMs) as Champions in three selected European countries and is a project led by Richtungswechsel in collaboration with Dr. Sarah Lewis and Grow Transform Belong CIC. The project’s focus is building a leadership community for improving correctional staff culture and creating a stronger bridge between prison, detention center and the community, increasing collaboration through effective multi-disciplinary work enhancing job satisfaction, a participatory culture, and legitimacy.
The “Champions Community” project envisions a transformative shift in the prison systems across Europe towards a more humane, rehabilitative, and effective environment for both incarcerated individuals and staff in detention facilities. The long-term societal change aspired to is a comprehensive cultural transformation within detention settings that promotes the well-being of staff, reduces recidivism rates, and enhances the prospects for successful reintegration of formerly incarcerated individuals into society through the support of sufficient, well-supported, and driven staff in prison. This vision includes the establishment of a resilient European network of prison professionals dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in prison practices.
Geographical Area
The pilot of the Leadership Program spans three European countries that were selected for their potential to contribute effectively to the initiative: Germany (Bremen), Malta, and the Czech Republic.
Target Groups
Ultimate Beneficiaries:
All staff, service leaders, incarcerated individuals, families, and the broader community, benefiting from an improved detention culture and social integration.
Direct Beneficiaries:
Champions, their colleagues, mentors, and trainers who will receive leadership development and training to drive cultural change.
Indirect Beneficiaries:
Other prison staff who will benefit from the positive changes fostered by the Champions, serving as inspiration for professional development within the detention system.
Project Activities
The project consists of multiple stages designed to cultivate a culture of growth within detention facilities:
Stage 0: Preparation
Identification of objectives, mentor needs, and initial recruitment of mentors and champions.
Stage 1: Assessing Culture
Participants undergo residential training focusing on current prison culture and future-oriented practices, complemented by prison visits and ongoing mentorship.
Stage 2: Implementing Change
In the second residential training phase focus on culture change strategies, reinforced by continued mentorship and progress check-ins.
Stage 3: Maintaining A Culture Of Growth
Training sessions and prison visits sustain growth practices, culminating in a final summit for knowledge sharing and documentation of insights.
Stage 4: Evaluation
A follow-up evaluation assesses the leadership programme’s impact, refines strategies, and fosters knowledge dissemination among participants.
The Impact
- Champions: Empowerment through leadership development and mentorship.
- Incarcerated Individuals: Improved environment leading to higher chances of successful (re)integration.
- Other Prison Staff: Enhanced work environment, reduced occupational stress, and improved job satisfaction.
- Mentors and Trainers: Opportunities to share their expertise while gaining valuable experience
Supported by Porticus. Porticus is a philanthropic organisation that aims to create a just and sustainable future where human dignity flourishes. However the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Porticus.