Russian-Swiss project in the field of penitentiary social work: experience of international cooperation between educational organizations and correctional institutions
The article analyzes the experience of international scientific and practical cooperation in the field of penitentiary social work on the example of a Russian-Swiss project implemented between the Academy of Law and Management of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and the Department of Police and Justice of the Swiss Confederation during the period of active reform of the penal system in accordance with International and European standards, reflecting the objective process of globalization in the field of both the execution of criminal penalties and education. The project made it possible to develop and test an original educational program for training specialists in the field of penitentiary social work; it contributed to the scientific and methodological support of the educational process at the Academy of the FPS of Russia and other educational organizations, as well as institutions and bodies that execute criminal penalties. In the course of cooperation, prerequisites for the formation of social work with convicts as an independent type of professional activity in Russian penitentiary institutions were created: the qualification characteristics of a specialist were developed; organizational and managerial decisions were prepared on the introduction of positions of specialists in social work with convicts to the staff of correctional institutions. The most important components of the project were the direct implementation of the centers of psychological, pedagogical and social work with convicts in the activities of correctional institutions, as well as the experimental testing of the domestic model of its functioning. The project provided an opportunity to form business and friendly relations of its participants, to develop experience of cross-cultural cooperation and positive resolution of problems arising on the basis of socio-cultural, cultural-historical and other differences. The special relevance of the article is given by the fact that the decree of the President of the Russian Federation allows universities of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia to train personnel for the penitentiary systems of foreign countries.