Towards Social Integration I Professionalization of Social Work Practice in the Penal System of the Russian Federation

Abstract

Professional social work in Russian prisons is a recent phenomenon and still under development. The Chair in Social Work and Social Psychology at the Federal State University Vologda Institute for Law and Economics (VIPE) has been promoting the professionalization of social work in the penal system since 2002. The joint project aims to prevent reoffence and enhance the reintegration potential of prison inmates as regards various social systems (education, employment, family, etc.). The project investigates the social work processes, practices and methods employed in the penal systems of Switzerland and the Russian Federation in order to increase the reintegration potential of prison inmates, in particular of youths and young adults. Expected project results include a concept for a process-oriented methods manual for social work in the Russian penal system, based on the methodical and systematic collection, survey, extrapolation, documentation, and critical examination of various data.