Final Conference of ACTinPRISON
"Education in Prisons: Challenges, Best Practices, and Prospects"
Monday, October 14 & Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Saratsi Amphitheater, Seaside Complex, University of Thessaly
With the completion of the project ACTinPRISON-Interaction matters: Research on development of alternative curricular experiences for young prisoners and prospective teachers, funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI), a conference is organized at the University of Thessaly under the title “Education in Prisons: Challenges, Best Practices, and Prospects.”
The goal of ACTinPRISON was to create common spaces for equal participation, both empowering young prisoners and raising awareness among future educators on issues of diversity and their management. The project was implemented at the Kassavetia Special Detention Center for Youth by a team of researchers (faculty members, Ph.D. holders, and Ph.D. candidates) and prospective teachers, under the scientific supervision of Emeritus Professor of the University of Thessaly, Haroula Stathopoulou.
At the opening of the conference, greetings will be given by the Vice-Rector Panagiotis Plageras; the Reverend Metropolitan of Demetrias and Almyros, Ignatios; the Governor of Thessaly, Dimitris Kouretas; and the Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection, Andreas Nikolakopoulos, who will present the Ministry’s perspective on prison education and potential collaborations with other institutions such as the University.
The conference will include presentations by institutional figures on prison education, with the participation of the Honorary Prosecutor, Xeni Dimitriou; the Deputy Prosecutor of First Instance of Volos, Mr. Vaios Papaiouannou; as well as the Directors of Correctional Institutions (Stefanos Raftopoulos, Vasilis Apostolakis), the Directors of educational units, and social workers. Additionally, the ACTinPRISON research team will present their perspective and project outcomes.
The conference will also feature two Round Tables: the first, moderated by journalist Mr. Giorgos Trantas, Director of Educational and Training Structures of Larissa Prison, will include participants involved in prison education, while the second, moderated by Assistant Professor of the University of Thessaly, Ms. Stavroula Kitsiou, will include future educators and former young prisoners.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI) under the "2nd Call for HFRI Research Projects to support Faculty Members and Researchers" (Project Number: 4164).
