IN-CJ Newsdesk – Post-Prison Follow-Up Services in Catalonia
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In this session from the IN-CJ Newsdesk 2022, we heard about how Post-Prison Follow-Up Services in Catalonia are being supported by INTRESS, an NGO that carries out social reintegration projects with different vulnerable groups amongst which, imprisoned people, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Criminal Sanctions, Rehabilitation and Victim Support, Ministry of Justice, Government of Catalonia. More information in Spanish here.
This IN-CJ Newsdesk session examined the development of post-prison follow-up services in Catalonia, highlighting how structured, professional accompaniment can support people leaving prison to rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of reoffending.
The programme was initially piloted through a collaboration between the Department of Justice of Catalonia and the non-profit organisation INTRES, before becoming a publicly funded service. It is designed for people leaving prison without strong family or community support, who often face heightened stigma, isolation, and practical barriers when re-entering society.
Support begins up to three months before release and continues for 8–12 months after. Participation is voluntary, with the aim of promoting autonomy and linking people with housing, employment, health, and social services. Delivered by a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, and criminologists, the service emphasises engagement and empowerment rather than control, focusing on the critical first two years after release when recidivism risk is highest.
The programme also integrates a strong gender perspective. Women leaving prison often face double stigma as both offenders and “bad mothers,” leaving them vulnerable to homelessness, exploitation, or exclusion. The service recognises these issues and adapts support to address gender-specific challenges.
Partnerships with municipalities, NGOs, and community organisations are key to the model, ensuring people are connected to resources and services in their local areas. Testimonials from service users showed how accompaniment provides not only practical help but also a sense of dignity, trust, and the confidence to move forward.
This session highlighted how Catalonia’s approach offers a valuable model for other systems: professionalised, gender-sensitive, and community-linked post-prison support that prioritises dignity and inclusion as essential to rehabilitation.
Listen to the full discussion in IN-CJ Newsdesk – Post-Prison Follow-Up Services in Catalonia.
