Interview with the Estonian EPTA President (2022)

Laura Kikas is a Director of College of Justice, Academy of Security Sciences, the next holder of the EPTA Presidency of 2023. The next EPTA Annual Conference will be hosted by the College of Justice in Tallin, Estonia.

1. What was your aspiration to apply for EPTA presidency?

Some of our team members in College of Justice have dreamed secretly about EPTA Presidency for some time now. At the same time, we felt that we are not ready- we have so many things in our hands: building up and reforming again our own organisation and training system. And now, living the life after Covid restrictions and challenges, we felt that better now than later! We believe we are ready now more than before!

2. During your presidential term, what would you like to achieve within the network?

EPTA is a great network and the people involved are the huge value themselves: their professionalism, experiences and visions can make the world literally better place! We hope to work with you all in the enhancement of professionalizing staff involved in the European Prisons Systems, making their role more visible in making the difference in terms of innovation, good practices, and quality assurance, always committed with the European high standards related with human rights.

3. How will your new role as President reflect on College of Justice?

We are small country and no surprise, our team is small. The presidency will affect all people involved in our college life! Majority of our staff members have promised to contribute to the presidency one way or the other and we intend to engage our students also. This is huge responsibility for our team, and we hope to be up to the challenge!

4. Any other personal remarks that you would like to make?

I just start to invite all of you to the next EPTA conference in Tallinn next year. Hope to meet as many colleagues as possible from all over the Europe!

To read more about the presidency, click here.