The working group developing a training plan on prison staff well-being in Bosnia and Herzegovina, composed of prison professionals and representatives of justice ministries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federation of BiH, and Republika Srpska, met for the third time in Međugorje on 24-26 September 2025, turning its attention to crisis protocols for psychological first aid and responses to critical incidents inside prisons.

Guided by Council of Europe expertise, the discussions delved into the practical development of the “Management of crisis interventions in the work with violent extremist offenders” plan, the structure of the documents, and their core elements. At the heart of this work is a commitment to develop relevant intervention mechanisms that contribute to the well-being and positive mental health of prison staff.

Prison staff operate in demanding environments where exposure to stress and high-risk situations can take a heavy toll. By focusing on mental health and well-being, relevant bodies are working to strengthen not only the resilience of staff but also the overall operational capacity of the prison system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The working group members also used this session to discuss future steps. Following the development of the training curriculum, selected prison staff will undergo training that will equip them to raise the awareness and enhance the skills of their peers in carrying out their duties effectively, while maintaining their own well-being, morale, and long-term career sustainability.

This activity was organised as part of the Council of Europe Project “Providing for effective reintegration of violent extremist offenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PER-VEO) - Phase I”, which is funded under the Council of Europe’s Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022-2025.