EPTA Cross Border Training – Hostage taking situations in penitentiary environment

As part of the EPTA II project, ”Innovating together: Connecting European Penitentiary Training Academies”, the National Correctional Officers Training School Târgu Ocna – Romania hosted, on 22-26 May 2023, a training on hostage-taking situations in the penitentiary environment with support from the Netherlands Helsinki Committee (NHC) and EuroPris.

The 14 participants who attended the event were trainers or prison staff from Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Slovakia and Estonia and also included one representative of the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.

The main objectives of the three-day training programme were to train the participants on the didactical method that is used in the “Hostage taking situation in penitentiary environment” training programme and to provide the necessary knowledge, skills, and practical experience to effectively handle hostage-taking situations in a penitentiary environment.

Through presentations, discussions and practical drills, participants engaged in a comprehensive learning experience that enhanced their professional capabilities.

The training programme included presentations and debates upon theoretical aspects, as well as upon aspects regarding the organization of the practical drills of the hostage-taking scenario.

The participants had the opportunity to assist to a simulated hostage-taking situation, so that they could become aware of the risks that might appear during such an exercise and be able to avoid them through efficient management and planning.

For the cross border training programme organized in Romania, the National Correctional Officers Training School Târgu Ocna developed a handbook which includes all the relevant pieces of information that might help a trainer organize training activities on hostage-taking situations.

Click here to view presentations.