Seminars

Prison staff should be trained on protecting the rights and meeting the needs of LGBTIQ detainees, including the differences between sexual orientation and sexual identity and the specific sub-groups included in the LGBTIQ acronym.

The aim of the Prison Safe Seminars is to raise awareness – in the Cypriot, Portuguese and Greek prison systems – on issues of gender identity and sexual orientation and dismantle prejudices and assumptions about LGBTIQ persons and detainees.

A total of twelve (12) seminars have taken place with the participation of two hundred forty (240) prison staff such as prison leaders, mid-level administrators, front-line staff, security staff, and others who interact with prisoners on a daily basis – such as medical, mental health and programming/treatment staff. Each seminar had a duration of six (6) hours.

Module 1 seminar provides participants with essential knowledge and skills for working respectfully and effectively with LGBTIQ prisoners. Through interactive activities, participants gain a solid understanding of terminology related to sexual diversity and develop increased empathy, tolerance, and a positive attitude toward individuals of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Module 2 (International, European and National Standards and Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners) consists of short theoretical lessons with practical exercises focusing on international and European standards and rules for the treatment of prisoners, namely: 1) United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners – The Nelson Mandela Rules​; 2) European Prison Rules​; 3) The General Standards of the EC for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment​; 4) The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025; 5) The Yogyakarta Principles.

Module 3 (LGBTIQ people in prisons’ experiences of discrimination, stigma and isolation) consists of data and findings from studies and official reports on the experiences of LGBTIQ+ inmates, examples of successful policies from other agencies regarding their management with respect, and relevant court decisions. The Module highlights the needs and challenges LGBTIQ+ inmates experience, also including testimonies related to their treatment. The Module also includes good practices from countries such as Ireland, Italy, and Colombia to demonstrate the existing initiatives undertaken by relevant authorities for the treatment and management of LGBTI persons deprived of their liberty.

Module 4 (Prison operations and LGBTIQ: improving prison and probation processes) is a primarily practical module, where, using the knowledge from the previous module and by analysing 5 case-studies, participants will reflect on prison rules and procedures regarding the management of LGBTIQ inmates and procedures that could be implemented to prevent negative situations for LGBTIQ inmates and promote well-being.

Module 5 (Best Practices and Inspiring Approaches) has been designed to contribute to the discussion on issues relevant for people from the LGBTIQ community who are deprived of their freedom such as building their resilience and self-esteem, and improving their everyday experiences by enabling them to reclaim their autonomy. In the Module recommendations on specific prison policies are presented for the management of LGBTIQ inmates in a respectful, fair, non-discriminatory manner.