Practical preparation for a fresh start

During the months of June and July 2026, inmates assigned to the exit section of the Ružomberok Prison and Detention Facility completed a series of professional, educational, and practical activities carried out within the framework of the project Chance to Return 2. Their common goal was to prepare participants for a successful return to society, strengthen their independence, and develop skills necessary for life after release.

A significant part of the program was a lecture by an employee of the District Office in Ružomberok – Trade Licensing Department, who explained to the inmates the conditions for establishing a trade, the rights and obligations of entrepreneurs, as well as options for legal employment after the completion of their sentence. The activity expanded their knowledge of self-employment and boosted their motivation to seek employment.

Legal and financial assistance was an equally important area. Inmates attended a lecture by the Centre for Legal Aid regarding personal bankruptcy and debt relief options. This was followed by individual online counseling with the Comprehensive Assistance Center, during which they were able to address their specific questions with experts regarding debts, executions, inheritance proceedings, and other life situations affecting their return to everyday life.

The program also focused on the development of financial literacy. Inmates learned to plan grocery shopping, compare prices, and manage a budget, and subsequently verified their acquired knowledge through a practical shopping exercise at the Tesco shopping center under the guidance of professional staff.

Practical preparation continued with the processing of identity cards outside the facility. During these outings, the inmates were also introduced to the activities of the Client Center of the Comprehensive Assistance Center and the services of social, legal, psychological, and employment counseling, which they can use after their release.

Sports activities were also included. A doubles football tennis tournament brought not only healthy competition but also a space for developing teamwork, discipline, mutual respect, and meaningful use of leisure time in the spirit of fair play.

The implemented activities created a comprehensive preparation for life after serving a sentence. They combined professional education with practical experience, strengthened financial and legal literacy, work motivation, as well as social competencies. The project Chance to Return 2 thus continues to help create better conditions for the successful reintegration of inmates and their responsible return to society.