Very high political and social demands are placed on the prison system. The call for harsh punishments and trends such as the “zero-risk society” are making the social integration of offenders increasingly difficult. Innovative models are therefore needed for the practice of social work in the penal system and the probation service .

The Institute examines structured interventions for the reintegration of offenders at case level, institutional level and with regard to the social environment and local community. Areas of interest include interprofessional cooperation, interface and transition management, work with relatives and new concepts such as restorative justice.