Everything relating to return orientation
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Reintegration in the destination country as a common goal
A success story, and its beginning
The overarching objective of the execution of sentences and measures is reintegration. According to the Federal Supreme Court, this must not end at the Swiss border. Around 70 % of the prison population in Switzerland do not hold Swiss nationality (Federal Statistical Office - FSO). Many of them must leave the country after deprivation of liberty. How can reintegration succeed across borders? Angela's case shows what is possible when different actors work together on a return.
Angela
Tour guide in Rio de Janeiro, formerly incarcerated in Switzerland.
Angela travelled to Europe in 2016 at the age of 33. She was arrested in Switzerland and sentenced to an unsuspended custodial sentence of four and a half years. Having reached the lowest point in her life, she had no prospects and no hope. Today, she is back living in her country of origin, has started a family and works as a tour guide in Rio de Janeiro.
A remarkable turnaround - but how was this possible?
Deprivation of liberty
Developing a supported return project as early as possible
Reintegration in the destination country begins during deprivation of liberty and often continues long after the return. It is crucial that all parties involved work together from an early stage and in a coordinated manner.
Jacek Wojdyla
Case manager, Head of the Return Orientation Unit, Probation Service, Department of Corrections and Reintegration (JuWe), Canton of Zurich
Even for people without prospects of remaining in the country, the aim is for them to lead a crime-free life after their release. Successful reintegration also reduces the risk of re-entry and of reoffending in Switzerland. In practice, however, the necessary knowledge and experience for effective preparation is often lacking.
This makes a systematic approach with an early return orientation all the more important. "The earlier the return planning for foreign detainees takes place, the more stable and sustainable the foundation for promising reintegration in the country of origin," emphasises Jacek Wojdyla.
The Probation Service (BVD) of the Canton of Zurich is the authority responsible for incarceration and is therefore responsible for the enforcement of sentences and measures and for promoting the reintegration of offenders. The case managers coordinate enforcement at a higher level. The BVD specialist unit on return orientation is responsible for exchanging best practices, strengthening know-how and ensuring return-orientated enforcement planning. It also reviews support services for reintegration projects in the country of origin. In this way, the foundations for sustainable and successful reintegration in the country of origin can be established.
Cindy Steinmann
Deputy Head of the Prison and Probation Service (Service pénitentiaire, SPEN), Director of Reintegration, Canton of Vaud
The first step in preparing for a return is acceptance of one's own situation. Social relationships in the destination country - such as family, friends or acquaintances - can have a positive influence on this step and provide guidance throughout the return process. Developing these contacts and actively involving them forms the basis for concrete reintegration projects, since, as Cindy von Bueren says, "Only when the person concerned accepts the principle of return within the working relationship can concrete projects begin to be developed."
The Prison and Probation Service (SPEN) of the Canton of Vaud is responsible for the care of persons subject to the criminal justice system - whether before the judgement, in the case of pre-trial detention, or after the judgement, during the execution of the criminal sanction - until final release.
It ensures that the decisions of the criminal justice authorities are enforced. It manages and supervises the Prison and Probation Service, the Criminal Records Coordination Office and the six institutions for the enforcement of sentences and measures that fall under its authority.
SPEN has its own reintegration strategy, which focuses in particular on preparation for release, the acquisition of social skills, engaging the offence committed and promoting training and work.
Individual support for detainees is provided in particular by social workers and work-integration specialists, who support reintegration measures through regular discussion. They maintain an overview of existing return options and accompany the entire process. They work closely with return counselling services to implement the individual return project and support the return project wherever possible.
Hervais Kamdem
Senior Consultant, Department of Psychiatric Assessment, Centre for Forensic Psychiatry, Freiburg Network for Mental Health
For a reliable assessment of the risk of recidivism and the development of treatment strategies, challenges in the target country must also be taken into account. Proven best practices are still lacking.
Relaxation of the execution of a sentence, such as through prison leave, is rarely granted to foreign nationals without a right to stay. This also leads to frustration and a strong sense of injustice within the system for the execution of sentences and measures. "Not being able to benefit from relaxation, as is the case with fellow inmates, creates frustration and a strong sense of injustice," explains Hervais Kamdem. This can also hinder the progress of treatment.
The FNPG's Centre for Forensic Psychiatry carries out psychiatric assessments and outpatient therapies for people in detention. The specialists working there operate within the penal institutions - on behalf of the prosecution authorities, the courts or the cantonal authorities responsible for the enforcement of sentences and measures. The aim is to reduce the risk of reoffending and promote the conditions for sustainable reintegration into society.
Transition
Accompanying inmates through their process
Time spent in detention should be used for concrete planning of reintegration in the destination country. This can succeed only if the person concerned sees the project as being their own. Return counselling is voluntary; the transition begins with the initial contact. The focus is not on the offence, but on the new start after the sentence has been served.
Michèle Demierre
Programme Manager for Reintegration in the Country of Origin, International Social Service – Switzerland (ISS Switzerland)
The voluntary nature of the approach is essential. Many of those affected are tired, burnt out and without hope. However, if they succeed in activating their own resources, they can truly flourish.
The prerequisite for this is cooperation without prejudice and close collaboration among all the stakeholders involved. Drawing on her own experience, Michèle Demierre explains that "the biggest, but also the most beautiful challenge lies in helping these people activate their own resources."
The ISS is part of the global International Social Service (ISS) network, which operates in over 120 countries. The RESTART programmes were established building on the success of the privately funded programme “Reintegration in the Country of Origin”.
The ISS has been mandated by the cantons of Geneva, Vaud and Bern within the framework of these RESTART programmes. It assists individuals subject to enforcement of a sentence in these cantons and who must leave Switzerland after serving their sentence by helping them in planning and implementing a reintegration project in their country of origin. This assistance includes prison visits during which return counselling is offered and concrete prospects for a dignified and sustainable return are developed together; a relationship based on trust can also be established during these visits.
After the return to the country of origin, the individual is supported by the local ISS partner in implementing their project.
Rahel Zbinden
Head of Perspectives and Return Counselling, Detention Programme, Swiss Red Cross Canton of Bern
In perspectives and return counselling, discussions become more concrete. Particular focus is given to professional prospects, financial security, access to healthcare in the destination country, support with social reintegration, clarifying housing arrangements, assistance with obtaining documents and general psychosocial counselling.
This work has an overall positive effect on enforcement. As Rahel Zbinden explains, "As a result of the discussions and the providing of information, the situation in general calms down. Having concrete plans mean there are fewer unanswered questions, and everyday life in detention is calmer."
Through its perspectives and return counselling services, the Swiss Red Cross supports people who are deprived of their liberty - whether in detention pending deportation or during the enforcement of sentences and measures - and who must subsequently leave Switzerland. The counselling helps them to clarify their situation and develop perspectives in their country of origin or in a third country. Contact is made on a voluntary basis, either directly by the detainee or via the relevant specialist centres.
In this phase, close cooperation with the cantonal migration offices is key. They are responsible for organising the departure, coordinating administrative procedures, reviewing travel documents and ensuring that the return is carried out in a legally correct manner. Their involvement is therefore essential, especially in matters relating to the withdrawal of residence status and the specific procedures for departure.
Destination country
Making a new start possible together with local partners
Arrival in the destination country marks the physical beginning of a new chapter in life, a decisive moment in which orientation and reliable contact persons provide support and assist individuals along the path chosen.
Lida Leskaj
International Social Service (ISS) Albania, social worker and lawyer
Individual support in the destination country is ensured through a local partner. The first step is to clarify the goals of the person concerned. If necessary, a small market analysis is carried out on the possibilities and feasibility of the project.
As Lida Leskaj emphasises, "It is important to build a relationship based on trust with the project beneficiaries." The local partner can help identify and contact suitable bodies to address administrative, medical or economic challenges. The partner has the necessary knowledge of the local structures and manages the financial support. This support is not paid out to the beneficiary in the form of cash. Once the budget has been approved by ISS Switzerland, the local partner pays the amounts directly to the relevant providers.
A new start in the destination country
A story about trust, courage and cooperation
Angela has been through this process. While she was still in custody, the social services informed her about the possibility of conditional release and about the support offered by International Social Service Switzerland (ISS). It was precisely this prospect of a possible early release and the accompanying support that encouraged her to take the initiative: what initially began as official information became, for Angela, the starting point of voluntary engagement with her return and the organisation of her life afterwards.
With the support of ISS, she developed a specific reintegration project and was able to draw on her wide range of language skills - she speaks five languages fluently - and communication skills. After returning to Brazil, she got in touch with the local partner organisation and began training in the tourism sector. Thanks to her determination and the accompanying support she received, she successfully completed the programme.
Today, Angela lives in Rio de Janeiro, works as a tour guide and has started a family. Her story shows how successful reintegration is made possible through trust, cooperation and personal initiative: “I can't imagine how I would have managed to reintegrate and get my life back on track without the support I received.”