Thirty security staff at the Sokolac Forensic Institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina have completed a new training programme that strengthens their role in ensuring patient safety and respect for human rights.  

Over four days, participants sharpened their skills in communication, de-escalation and ethical conduct, while learning how to better support vulnerable patients from admission to treatment.

Led by experienced Council of Europe trainers, the training included practical exercises, moderated discussions, skill tests for verbal de-escalation and self-assessment of professional and ethical behavior. A special focus was placed on regular and extraordinary duties of security staff and their role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment for patients.

These sessions are anticipated to contribute to strengthening the capacities of the security staff and enhancing standards at the Sokolac Forensic Institution, in line with the recommendations and standards of the Council of Europe and the European Union.

The  activity was organised within the framework of the action “Further strengthening the treatment of detained and sentenced persons in line with European standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina“ which is part of the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” and implemented by the Division for Co-operation in police and deprivation of liberty of the Council of Europe.