Norwegian and Latvian probation officers undergo training in Croatia

From 21 to 25 March, Norwegian and Latvian probation officers participated in a job shadowing programme in Zagreb, Rijeka and Split probation offices.

Latvian probation officers were trained in the probation offices Zagreb I and Zagreb II, and their Norwegian colleagues in the probation offices Rijeka and Split.

The training is an activity envisaged under the project ‘Strengthening human rights protection and public safety through improving the capacities of the Croatian probation service’, implemented by the Directorate for Prison System and Probation and co-financed under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014 - 2021.

The Latvian and Norwegian probation officers learned about the work of the probation service in Croatia. They had the opportunity to directly experience the methods and ways of work according to the principles of job shadowing. This type of on-the-job training enables a quality exchange of experiences and insight into direct work with probationers. The aim of the training is to establish further cooperation and implement examples of good practice in the Norwegian and Latvian probation system.

Latvian probation officers pointed out that the most valuable part of training were discussions and exchanges of experiences with Croatian probation officers, because they gained an insight into the process and manner of working with probationers.

Thanking for the opportunity to participate in this project, they highlighted the rich experience and enthusiasm of the Croatian probation service, which has marked its 10th anniversary and has been recognised in international context.

During their stay in Croatia, at the invitation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway in Croatia, the Norwegian probation officers attended the celebration of 30 years of partnership between Croatia and the Kingdom of Norway.

As part of this project activity, a return visit by Croatian probation officers to Latvia and Norway will take place during April 2022, and the organisation of job shadowing with at least three other European countries is planned by the end of the year.