Working with prisoners is a very demanding job; working with violent extremist prisoners (VEPs) and prisoners with a tendency to radicalisation can put an additional psychological pressure on prison staff. For the latter to be able to do their job without feeling intimidated or stressed and consequently developing mental health problems a good support system is important.

With this in mind, the Council of Europe organised the first working group (WG) session with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Justice of Republika Srpska, Bijeljina prison, Zenica prison, State prison, and Banja Luka prison on 21-22 March 2024 in Tuzla, to discuss possible mechanisms of enhancing well-being and protecting mental health of prison staff working with VEPs.

Supported by international consultants, the WG members initiated the development of guidelines on the prevention, detection and intervention related to well-being and mental health of prison staff. The guidelines are expected to provide concrete mechanisms and support systems within prisons to help prevent and detect stress, burnout, anxiety and other conditions that influence mental health and well-being of prison staff.

This activity was organised within the framework of the project "Ensuring Sustainable Penitentiary Actions in managing rehabilitation of violent extremist prisoners in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ESPA-VEP)", funded under the Council of Europe Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.