PRO-VOCEM - Probationers’ Voices Reviving Memories
Summary of the project
PRO-VOCEM is a collaborative project that aims to examine and raise awareness about the complex historical roots and manifestations of racism, discrimination and societal exclusion faced by Roma probationers, particularly Roma women.
By amplifying personal narratives, analyzing the legacy impacts of migration and deportation and promoting cultural sensitivity within the probation system, the project seeks to connect the histories of oppression and forced migration of Roma communities to the current-day marginalization.
The project is structured into five Work Packages that involve collecting oral histories and testimonies from Roma probationers and their older relatives, analyzing connections between personal narratives and broader historical background, conducting roundtables with experts, producing research reports and educational materials, organizing awareness-raising events, conducting Forum Theatre sessions, providing educational workshops for future professionals, developing and conducting trainings for probation counsellors, and engaging in dissemination and advocacy activities.
The project aims to promote non-discrimination, equal treatment and advocacy for the rights of Roma probationers while ensuring trauma-informed practices and addressing the unique experiences and needs of Roma women. By focusing on the experiences of Roma probationers and promoting culturally competent probation practices, PRO-VOCEM contributes to the EU Roma Strategic Framework on equality, inclusion, and participation. The project’s outcomes are expected to have a broad impact. The project involves a collaboration among five key partners, bringing their expertise in this participatory project. Their collaboration is crucial for the successful implementation of the project by aiming to address the complex issues faced by Roma probationers and promote inclusive and culturally responsive practices and attitudes.
Partners
WEST UNIVERSITY OF TIMIȘOARA
https://www.uvt.ro/
West University of Timișoara (WUT) is the fourth largest university in Romania and the best academic center in the western part of the country. Nowadays, after more than 70 years of activity, investments and constant development, West University of Timișoara has a strong academic reputation of excellence defined by a multicultural, innovative, friendly and open environment. It is a regional, national and also international leader in the educational market, offering a modern, dynamic and innovative intellectual environment, student-centered teaching methods, and various study programmes of international relevance. With 11 faculties, Bachelor, Master and Doctoral programmes and a Department of Teacher Training, the university’s strong focus on academic quality is also endorsed by its international affiliations and associations.
ROMANIAN NATIONAL PROBATION DIRECTORATE
https://probatiune.just.ro/
The Romanian Probation System is a national public service under the authority of the Ministry of Justice, which contributes to the social rehabilitation of individuals subject to criminal sanctions and to increased safety in the community. By implementing non-custodial sanctions and measures, the system promotes modern alternatives to imprisonment and supports a penal policy oriented toward reintegration.
Legally established in 2001, following a three-year pilot phase, the probation system was created to enforce non-custodial sanctions introduced in the Penal Code as early as 1997, which previously lacked an institutional framework for implementation.
The entry into force of the new criminal codes on February 1, 2014 brought a series of substantive changes in the probation activity, along with a modern vision, adapted to both the new social reality and the guiding European values in the field. At that time, the reconfiguration of the criminal law institutions under which probation activity was carried out and the introduction of new ones or the adjustment of existing ones were considered, aspects that created the premises for a reconfiguration of the probation system in our country. The reform marked a paradigm shift: from a justice system focused on custodial sentences to one that values community sanctions.
This shift led to a significant increase in both the number and variety of cases managed by the probation services, which prompted a process of administrative and functional reorganization. Since 2014, the system has become more autonomous and has received additional resources to fulfill its responsibilities.
Currently, the National Probation Directorate is a legal entity with its own budget, operating within the Ministry of Justice and structured at two levels: a central unit and 42 local probation services (without legal personality) operating in each county seat municipality. Together, they form the national probation system. The central structure is responsible for strategic planning, human and financial resource management, international cooperation, and externally funded projects. The local services are involved throughout the criminal justice process—from investigation to post-sentencing—by conducting assessments, supervising individuals under non-custodial measures, and supporting courts in the individualization of sanctions.
The National Probation Directorate carries out sustained research activities aimed at supporting the development of evidence-based correctional policies and practices. Among other conducted researches, within the project “Improving Correctional Services in Romania through the Implementation of the Principle of Normality – 4NORM-ality”, applied research was conducted on the residential, occupational, and educational mobility of Roma individuals, as well as other vulnerable groups under probation supervision. This effort resulted in the publication of a comprehensive research report, with findings disseminated at national and international events. Building on this initiative, one working group was established – “Roma” – focusing on a longitudinal study on the mobility of Roma individuals in the probation system.
PENAL REFORM INTERNATIONAL
https://www.penalreform.org/
Penal Reform International (PRI) is a non-governmental organisation working globally to promote criminal justice systems that uphold human rights for all and do no harm. We work to ensure that justice systems are fair, effective, and non-discriminatory, with a strong focus on protecting the rights of disadvantaged and marginalised groups.
As part of our commitment to combating discrimination, we have made different contributions to highlight how criminal justice systems in Europe can treat Roma people unequally, and to identify measures that can prevent both direct and indirect harm resulting from such treatments. Our work includes an exploratory study and roundtable discussion addressing the challenges Roma people experience across several European countries regarding the imposition of non-custodial sanctions and potential solutions. We have also conducted a research on the overrepresentation of Roma in prisons, and have addressed the situation of Roma people in different documents, including guidance for justice professionals on promoting non-discrimination in non-custodial measures.
GENERAL DIRECTORATE EXECUTION OF SENTENCES FROM BULGARIA
https://justice.government.bg/home/index/a29b3d80-11a0-44c7-909c-9e3328169925
The General Directorate “Execution of Sentences” is a specialized administrative structure, a legal entity attached to the Minister of Justice with its headquarters in Sofia city. The Directorate manages and supervises directly the activities of places of deprivation of liberty and probation services.
Its activities are regulated by the Act on the Execution of Sentences and Detention in Custody and are related to the execution of life imprisonment, deprivation of liberty and probation, and of pre-trial detention in places of detention.
The General Directorate “Execution of Sentences” ensures the management of a unified system for the execution of sentences, based on effective professional standards, in which detainees and convicts are dealt with in a humane, functional and transparent manner.
Structurally, the General Directorate “Execution of Sentences” consists of:
– 12 prisons with 26 open- and closed-type dormitories;
– 1 correctional home for juvenile boys and 1 correctional home for juvenile girls;
– 7 Regional Offices for the Execution of Sentences.
The General Directorate “Execution of Sentences” is committed to improving access to and the quality of rehabilitation services for various groups of prisoners and probationers, including Roma and young people, who make up a significant proportion of the prison population and probationers in Bulgaria. Professionals in the Bulgarian correctional system face various challenges in their daily work with members of Roma communities.
Given the history of discrimination and marginalisation of Roma communities in Bulgaria and across Europe, including in the criminal justice context, it is particularly important that the Bulgarian correctional system contains solid safeguards against this.
Roma continue to be disproportionately represented in Bulgarian prisons and probation services, and the discrimination and marginalisation they face in the community may increase within the criminal justice system. Correctional officers are working hard and diligently to ensure that rehabilitation and correctional service planning is aligned with the strengths and needs of Roma and responds to the challenges that contributed to their appearance before the justice system in the first place – often including issues stemming from their marginalized position in society. The problems they face in relation to education, employment, housing and community health (both pre- and post-conviction) would inevitably have a knock-on effect on their chances of successful rehabilitation. For this reason, the work of the General Directorate “Execution of Sentences” includes positive measures to protect and promote their rights.
In many places, there is little selfidentification of ethnicity and other identities among certain communities, and this is an even greater problem among people in prison and probation services, with some actively hiding their affiliations. This is particularly true for those serving short sentences. This creates additional challenges in identifying needs and ensuring the availability of culturally appropriate programmes, including through the collection of statistics on minority groups in prisons and probation services in Bulgaria.
It is also important to consider diversity among Roma as a larger group, as different communities have different values, traditions and culture. There are also often obvious generational differences. In supporting Roma during their sentences, it is important that staff are aware of the common challenges that Roma may face during and after their sentences, but it is equally, if not more, important that they remain sensitive to the individual strengths, needs and experiences of each person they work with so that they can tailor the support and services provided as appropriate.
SOLIDART ASSOCIATION – BASCA THEATRE
https://basca.tm.ro/
Solidart Association – BASCA Theatre – is a cultural organization based in Timișoara, Romania, dedicated to creating meaningful connections between artists and communities. Our mission is to bring to light the stories, places, and voices that are often “invisible” or forgotten in society. Solidart fosters dialogue, inclusion, and civic participation through artistic, cultural, social, and educational projects, being one of the few cultural associations in Romania focused on providing access to culture for marginalized communities: minorities, people with disabilities or a disadvantaged social status, refugees, and especially stories that tell the reality of forgotten people.
Since 2017, through socially engaged theatre that amplifies marginalized voices, accessible cultural events that make performances inclusive for people with visual and hearing impairments, and educational initiatives that include forum theatre and workshops for teenagers, we create inclusive spaces that foster dialogue, empathy, and participation.
As part of our commitment to cultural equity, we have developed innovative projects such as:
- in: v z b l Festival – a festival that aims to make the invisible visible, promoting values such as dialogue, understanding, respect, and solidarity. The voices of various vulnerable or “invisible” groups are often unheard or even unspoken. Through this festival, we seek to give these groups a voice and a context in which they can represent themselves and strengthen their presence within the community. The festival brings together professional actors and amateurs from vulnerable backgrounds, showcasing powerful performances that reflect real-life experiences.
- Accessible Theatre for All – A pioneering project that made theatre performances highlighting the issues and concerns of marginalised groups, with the aim of promoting an inclusive and empathetic society, paving the way for social inclusion through culture by making cultural products accessible.
- House with Monkeys (2020) – In partnership with Asociația Prin Banat and funded by AFCN, this performance explored the microhistories of one of Timisoara’s most beautiful neighborhoods – Fabric neighborhood.
- Butterflies Are Free (2021) – The first accessible theatre performance in Timișoara for both visually and hearing-impaired audiences, through mime-gesture interpretation and narrative translation. It won the British Council Award at the UNITER Gala 2021 and marked our debut in radio theatre.
- #următorulnivel – Tower (2021–2022) – Our first step into virtual reality theatre, merging contemporary drama with immersive filming in a historic industrial heritage site, featured in major festivals across Romania.
BASCA places strong emphasis on educational and community empowerment, regularly organizing Forum Theatre performances on various social themes (discrimination – e.g. “Bă auzi?!, disabled people, women; abandonment, domestic abuse, harmful effects of drugs, etc.); school outreach, with productions like “Profu”, performed in Timișoara; and through theatre workshops organized for teenagers (e.g. “Theatre and its professions“)
Funding
This project is funded by European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA), under the CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM Call, Topic: CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM-HISTMIGRATION.
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Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.
