In line with Actions supported under Key Action 2 and the needs of this project to be carried out, the expected results of this project is to develop and to transfer implementation of innovative practices at organisational, local, regional, national or European levels and which are expected to bring positive and long-lasting effects on policy systems in which such Actions are framed, on the participating organizations as well as on the organizations and persons directly or indirectly involved in the organized activities.The uppermost purpose of this project is to strive to increase the implementation of alternative measures to prison for juveniles and young offenders in order to increase the positive impacts which implementation of such measures would bring back into the society. This is expected to be achieved through the main activities which include training of professionals working within the juvenile justice systems in order to enhance their knowledge and skills in their work. Furthermore, we strive to strengthen the involvement of the civil society through awareness raising concerning the benefits of implementation of alternative sanctions and measures. Through the involvement of public bodies in the project we strive to a more active dialogue with the policymakers in order to achieve permanent changes in the prevailing practices and policies. The methodology that is used in this project is based on the so called “Results-based management” (RBM) which is a broad management approach with a core focus is achieving results. The RBM methodology can be defined as a “management strategy by which processes, outputs and services contribute to the achievement of clearly stated expected accomplishments and objectives. It is focused on achieving results, improving performance, integrating lessons learned into management decisions and monitoring and reporting on performance”.It is expected that approx. 400 people will have direct benefits from this project’s trainings and good practice manual namely professionals who already work within the juvenile justice systems as well as members of the civil society who wish to contribute through volunteering. Indirect beneficiaries who will benefit through the dissemination of the project are municipalities and NGOs providing community based services and of course juveniles and youth who carry the sanction/measure of community service as a consequence of a judicial decision.The partnership, which geographically covers a large part of the EU territory, consists of organizations relevant to the project’s objective and with significant experience and expertise with key persons possessing high standard scientific knowledge of the framework.

"Having in mind that this was the first Erasmus+ project which Freedom Gate Greece coordinated, we can happily say that we are satisfied with the results. The participation and contribution of the partners to reach the results is undoubtedly significant and it can certainly be called a win-win situation. This project could have been categorized as innovation but as a newcomer, we chose not to design a project which we possibly would not have had the capacity to carry out. The main activities were the two LTTs which were carried out in person as planned with great success and satisfaction from all parties involved. Following this, the topics both theoretical and practical which had been presented during the LTTs, were compiled into the publication ""INMATE REINTEGRATION: Compilation of Theory and Practices"". Based on the material from the aforementioned publication, an e-learning space was developed on the Moodle platform.Further, it was estimated that approx. 450 professionals and volunteers would be trained in order to gain theoretical knowledge of the criminal justice framework and tools and ideas of practises used in partner countries in order to boost their professional efficacy.The summarized results include the capacity building of professionals who were trained but also other professionals that will have the opportunity to learn through the open access material which is published after the completion of the project. In addition, due to the exchange of good practices among partners, the organizations involved are able to provide more efficient, credible and valid services to prisoners and ex-prisoners.Last but not least the impact of the project results may have an influence on the decision-making of official bodies upon matters considering provision of rehabilitation and services at correctional facilities which through reduction of reoffending has the potential to contribute to a social change."

Central and Eastern Europe has the highest rate of prison population in Europe. The incarceration rate per 100 000 population in new member states is more than 100, in Romania - 142, in Bulgaria - 125, compared to Italy - 89 and Greece - 91. Most of the prison population is male, approximately 95%, with very high level of foreign representation in Greece –54% and in Italy - 35%. There is an over-representation of Roma minority in detention structures in Romania and Bulgaria. Little research has been done on sport in prison so far, nethertheless there are evidences that sport and physical activity programmes can provide a meaningful vehicle through which personal and social development in inmates can be positively affected and positive social changes, skills development and rehabilitation/reintegration can be achieved. In 1988, Uisp set, in collaboration with the Italian Justice Minister, a project known as Porte Aperte (Open Doors). The project has developed a comprehensive program committed to promote in all the Italian prisons a wider participation of the prison population in physical activities. Activities developed in the project were focused around three main themes: sport as vehicle to build or rebuild physical and psychological skills; sport as a safety place where to learn self-discipline, respect for rules and roles, socialization; sport associations as reference points and opportunity for settling down in the local community. The project has achieved very good outcomes and high level of participation. The SPIRITS project has transfered UISP know how in using sport in prison to four EU partner countries: Bulgaria, Romania and Greece to address the problem of inadequate support to prison population. SPIRITS partners have trained sport instructors and educators working with prisons providing concrete practical support how to utilize sport as a rehabilitation tool. Training in sport-based intervention on inmates and probationers have been focused on four main themes: maintaining and improving prisoners general wellness; helping the integration of individuals released into local communities; contrasting anti-social behaviours and fostering the learning of social values and social rules; effecting positively prison communities. Practitioners/professionals have exchanged successful practices and increase their competences. Initial training in Italy and follow up training in partner countries have involved more than 60 sport instructors and educators. Antidiscrimination and tolerance, discipline and control, team work and respect have been taught in an attractive way using sports as an educating tool. Partners have developed a practitioners’ guide in 5 European languages. Three transnational roundtables (IT, GR, BG), 5 local press conferences, involving large scale stakeholders and media have been organized to raise awareness of prison inmates life skills education. Training modules and material developed during the project will be disseminated across Europe through the partners' networks in each partner country. Partners will continue to provide trainings after the project ends mobilizing volunteers and raising new funds. Media and social network reflecting SPIRITS project will reach European citizens in their everyday life to remind of Europe's prison population and the need for its rehabilitation and integration.