“Strong leadership, mentorship, and dedication from those within the justice system, including correctional officers, can serve as the backbone of rehabilitation efforts, ensuring individuals leave prison more prepared to re-enter society.”
Eric Holder (Former Secretary-General of the United Nations)
Champions Community
Project Overview
The Champions Community project aims to tackle the complex challenges faced by prison staff by identifying and supporting leading Prison Middle Managers (PMMs) as Champions in three selected European countries. This initiative, led by Richtungswechsel in collaboration with Dr. Sarah Lewis, Grow Transform Belong CIC and Steven Van De Steene from Smart Corrections, focuses on building a leadership community to enhance prison staff culture and strengthen the connection between prisons, detention houses, and the community. The project seeks to foster collaboration through effective multidisciplinary work, thereby improving job satisfaction, promoting a participatory culture, and enhancing legitimacy.
Do you want to be part of the CHampions Community?
Join us
Subscribe to the Champions Community newsletter today!
Vision
The Champions Community project envisions a transformative shift in European prison systems towards a more humane and effective environment for both incarcerated individuals and staff. The long-term societal change aspired to is a comprehensive cultural transformation within detention settings that prioritizes staff well-being, reduces recidivism rates, and enhances the (re)integration prospects for formerly incarcerated individuals. This vision includes the establishment of a resilient European network of professionals dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation in correctional practices.
Geographical Area
The project will span three European countries, selected based on their potential to contribute effectively to the initiative. The inception phase will involve engaging with governmental, prison service, and NGO partners to form a specialized international culture taskforce. Criteria for country selection will include strong partnership opportunities with local NGOs dedicated to advancing staff culture and capacity.
Target Groups
Ultimate Beneficiaries:
All staff, service leaders, incarcerated individuals, families, and the broader community, benefiting from an improved detention culture and social integration.
Direct Beneficiaries:
Champions, their colleagues, mentors, and trainers who will receive leadership development and training to drive cultural change.
Indirect Beneficiaries:
Other prison staff who will benefit from the positive changes fostered by the Champions, serving as inspiration for professional development within the detention system.
Project Activities
The project consists of multiple stages designed to cultivate a culture of growth within detention facilities:
Stage 0: Preparation
Identification of objectives, mentor needs, and initial recruitment of mentors and champions.
Stage 1: Assessing Culture
Participants will undergo residential training focusing on current prison culture and future-oriented practices, complemented by prison visits and ongoing mentorship.
Stage 2: Implementing Change
A second residential training phase will focus on culture change strategies, reinforced by continued mentorship and progress check-ins.
Stage 3: Maintaining A Culture Of Growth
Training sessions and prison visits will sustain growth practices, culminating in a final summit for knowledge sharing and documentation of insights.
Stage 4: Evaluation
A follow-up evaluation will assess the project’s impact, refine strategies, and foster knowledge dissemination among participants.
The Impact
Champions: Empowerment through leadership development and mentorship.
Incarcerated Individuals: Improved environment leading to higher chances of successful (re)integration.
Other Prison Staff: Enhanced work environment, reduced occupational stress, and improved job satisfaction.
Mentors and Trainers: Opportunities to share their expertise while gaining valuable experience.
Building a European-Wide Community
A fundamental aspect of the Champions Community project is the creation of a European-wide network of detention professionals. By leveraging existing networks such as EPTA and collaborating with organisations like ICPA and other organisations in the leadership development space, the project aims to create a sustainable platform for continuous learning and systemic change across the European correctional landscape. This community will actively engage with members of the RESCALED movement, co-creating staff development and cultural enhancement initiatives across the detention landscape.
Our Network
The project is lead by Richtungswechsel as project coordinators with GTB – CIC and Smart Corrections as partners. Additionally, we will engage a range of stakeholders, including:
- Academic Institutions: Collaborating for research and evaluation.
- NGOs: Co-creation with experts like the Scandinavian Prison Project Consortium and SmartCorrections for resource sharing and support.
- Local Experts: Involvement from local NGOs for mentorship and implementation guidance.
- Consortium and Expertise: Integration with other initiatives in the staff training space and its members to ensure alignment with transformative goals in detention systems.
Richtungswechsel
Richtungswechsel is a forward-thinking social enterprise dedicated to enabling individuals and organizations to change direction toward a more inclusive, equitable future. Rooted in the belief that meaningful transformation begins with people, Richtungswechsel fosters environments where change is not only possible but sustainable.
Richtungswechsel operates across schools, justice systems, and communities with three core focus areas:
- Empowerment through Education – Delivering bespoke training and programs that support personal and professional growth.
- Building Bridges – Facilitating collaboration among changemakers to develop inclusive, community-led responses to social challenges.
- Driving Measurable Change – Partnering with allies to evaluate impact, ensuring that all work is relational, accountable, and transformative.
Through innovative campaigns, learning initiatives, and strategic partnerships, Richtungswechsel elevates voices, challenges injustice, and co-creates new paths forward. Its work centers on culture change, co-production, and long-term social impact—always prioritizing collaboration over competition.
Smart Corrections
Smart Corrections is a French Company focused on the support and development of innovation and digital strategies for organisations working in Corrections. We believe that positive organisational change in a digital world needs a holistic and integrated approach underpinned by ethical and human-centric principles.