From 1st to 3rd November 2023, in Prague, the Czech Republic, professionals from the European correctional services will meet for a roundtable to discuss the possibility to organise a running event in their respective states. This event is a well-known event around the world as the “Yellow Ribbon Run” and symbolises support for people with criminal records to reintegrate into society upon release. The name of this sport event has originated from the yellow ribbons that participants in the run attach to their clothing, symbolising that all runners are equal and that everyone deserves a second chance. The origin of the idea can be traced to Singapore. Nine years ago, inspired by Singapore’s experience, the Czech non-governmental organisation “Žlutá stustka” with its leader Gabriela Slováková brought this positive social reintegration concept to Europe. One of the collaborative partners and supporters of this idea, which has committed itself to implement this idea in Norway Grants beneficiary states, is the Directorate of Norwegian Correctional Service, the donor partner of the programme “Correctional Services”*.
The goal of the “Yellow Ribbon run” is to break down prejudices and stereotypes about people who have served a sentence in prison, providing them and their families with a second chance to fully reintegrate into society as valuable members of society. Organizing such events benefits the whole society, as a clear message is translated to those who’ve served their sentence that the society is able to come together to facilitate their resocialization and law-abiding behaviour. In the Czech Republic, the “Yellow Ribbon run” event has been organised since 2021, and each year the overall theme is selected, thus supporting individuals with a criminal records in different positive social roles. In 2023 run, about 800 people representing a wide variety of occupations were registered for the run, such as teachers, prison staff, politicians, diplomats, media representatives. Concurrently, a similar run is organised at the same time in correctional facilities (taking into consideration the specific conditions and security requirements of the particular prison), so that people can engage in sporting activities on both sides of the prison walls, promoting a sense of unity. Next year, in June 2024 “Yellow Ribbon run” overall theme will be support to imprisoned fathers, and especially their children, thus the role of the family in the resocialisation process will be emphasised and attention of society will be drawn to the impact of incarceration of a family member on the families of imprisoned fathers, and especially their children.
The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Latvia will be represented by Mr. Kaspars Ozols, Director of the Project Department and Ms. Agnese Kleina, Head of Norwegian Financial Mechanism Division at the Project Department as representatives of the Programme Operator in the roundtable discussion. Additionally, Latvian Prison Administration as Project Promoter** will be represented by Mr. Vitālijs Jakovļevs, Deputy Head of the Addiction Centre at (Olaine Prison (Latvian Prison Hospital).
Find out more about the Norway Grants 2014–2021 period programme at www.norwaygrants.lv.
*The total funding for Norway Grants 2014–2021 programme “Correctional Services” is 15,294,118 EUR, of which 85% or 13,000,000 EUR are Norway Grants financing but 15% or 2,294,118 EUR are co-funded by the State budget. Furthermore, an additional 100,000 EUR were granted for the activities of bilateral cooperation activities. The programme “Correctional Services“ is the first programme launched in Latvia during the Norway Grants 2014–2021 period.
**The Latvian Prison Administration project “Establishment of Training Centre infrastructure and model prison blocks for training opportunities in the Olaine prison territory” No. 1-6.4/2-2019 is implemented within the framework of the Norway Grants 2014–2021 period programme “Correctional Services”.
Working together for a safe and inclusive Europe.
Subscribe to news
Receive notifications of the latest contests, news and news events in programs that are important to you!
Report Irregularities
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and mismanagement in the EEA and Norway Grants. We strongly encourage you to share your concerns and report suspected irregularities.