RESIZE – Reshaping Correctional Competencies through RESCALED Innovation

The “RESIZE” project—Reshaping Correctional Competencies through RESCALED Innovation—is a transformative European initiative addressing workforce adaptation within correctional systems. Driven by systemic changes across Europe, RESIZE focuses on creating a modern, flexible framework to improve skills and competencies through micro-credentialing, certification, and recognition of prior learning. By establishing small-scale, community-integrated detention models aligned with the RESCALED initiative, the project strives to elevate correctional standards and practices.

Objectives and Approach

The RESIZE project is designed to:

• Define and Standardize Competency Profiles: Establish a European Qualification Map and core competencies curriculum tailored to the current correctional landscape, creating consistent training standards.
• Promote Recognition of Skills: Implement micro-credentialing, certification, and recognition of prior learning to validate and support the career progression of correctional professionals.
• Develop Regional Pacts for Skills: Form alliances to encourage continuous improvement and lifelong learning within correctional services.

Work Packages (WP)

To achieve these objectives, RESIZE is organized into five structured work packages (WPs):

• WP1: Management and Coordination – Oversees project communication, dissemination, quality assurance, and evaluation, ensuring effective implementation of project goals.
• WP2: Needs Assessment – Conducts an in-depth analysis of skill gaps and training requirements, forming the basis for the competency framework.
• WP3: European Qualification Map and Correctional Core Competencies Curricula – Develops a standardized training model that equips correctional professionals with essential competencies.
• WP4: Core Curricula and Training Programs – Introduces training programs emphasizing lifelong learning and specialized vocational tracks within Centers of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs).
• WP5: Long-Term Action Plan for Sustainable Workforce Development – Focuses on sustainability, visibility, and dissemination, establishing Regional Pacts for Skills, a European Correctional Competencies Observatory, a Micro-credentialing Catalogue, and policy recommendations for Recognition, Validation, and Accreditation (RVA).

Key Outcomes

The RESIZE project, integrated into Pact No. 248: LiberateSkills – A Lifelong Learning European Pact for Correctional Excellence, aims to build a robust, resilient correctional workforce across Europe. The initiatives under RESIZE foster professional growth, support skill recognition, and create pathways for ongoing development in the sector.

Consortium of Partners

The RESIZE project unites a diverse network of European partners, each bringing unique expertise and resources to support the project’s mission:

1. Penitenciarul Arad, Romania – Project Coordinator
2. Penitenciarul Timisoara, Romania
3. Penitenciarul Gherla, Romania
4. Centrul Pentru Promovarea Invatarii Permanente, Romania
5. RESCALED, Belgium
6. Uniwersytet Papieski Jana Pawla II w Krakowie, Poland
7. Universidad de Valladolid, Spain
8. Qualificalia Analytics, S.L., Spain
9. BrainLog, Denmark
10. Luarasi University, Albania
11. Athens Lifelong Learning Institute, Greece
12. Odyssea AMKE, Greece
13. Richtungswechsel – Verein zur Förderung der Resozialisierung, Austria
14. Ustanova za Obrazovanje Odraslih Dante, Croatia
15. Centro Internazionale per la Promozione dell’Educazione e lo Sviluppo (CIPES), Italy
16. Centro Studi – Opera Don Calabria, Italy
17. Interchange Non-Profit (GUG), Germany
18. Association of Citizens of an International Institute, North Macedonia
19. Aproximar – Cooperativa de Solidariedade Social, Portugal
20. Univerzitet u Istocnom Sarajevu, Bosnia and Herzegovina
21. United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)
22. Panepistimio Aigaiou (University of the Aegean), Greece
23. Shërbimi i Kontrollit të Brendshëm në Sistemin e Burgjeve, Albania
24. Asociacion Profesional de Funcionarios de Prisiones, Spain
25. Omospondia Sofronistikon Ipallilon Elladas (Federation of Prison Employees), Greece

Impact and Legacy

With a focus on competency development, micro-credentialing, and policy innovation, RESIZE aims to foster a capable and adaptable correctional workforce across Europe. Through collaboration with diverse partners and a commitment to excellence, RESIZE contributes to a new era in correctional services, emphasizing skill development, professional recognition, and continuous learning.