Short description

ViRTI is an Erasmus+ project, focusing on improving the effectiveness of education in correctional institutions, by utilizing innovative and interactive digital tools. ViRTI focuses on developing and introducing Virtual Reality environments in prisons, as a way to level the lack of experiences, recourses, and tools, as well as on applying interactive educational games on the prison’s educational process, in order to attract as many participants as possible. Through the above, the project aims to tackle the phenomenon of inmates abandoning education.

The project supports the mindset that the advantages of inmates participating in education, are many. In particular, the possibilities of them becoming employed, when they are eventually free, on a similar subject that they were educated on during their detention, are rapidly increased. This is of utmost importance, as the access to employment is among the basic conditions of reintegration of former inmates, reducing the danger of relapse to delinquent behaviors.

Goals

• To motivate inmates to engage with education.
• To introduce educational programs into correctional institutions.
• To allow inmates to develop skills and competences through the services offered by Virtual Reality Systems.

Activities

• Research on the technology of Virtual Reality, and how it can be applied, for educational and training reasons, in closed environments, such as a prison.
• Evaluation of the existing technological means and infrastructure, available at correctional systems.
• Determination of the conditions that are essential for the successful implementation of Virtual Reality Systems, in similar environments.
• Development of Virtual Reality scenarios, based on 360 videos, which integrate interactive functionalities related to the constructional sector, on the educational process of correctional institutions.
• Training and communication of the respective interested parts (teachers, organizations, etc.) with the required guidelines, in order to successfully introduce VR practices on inmate education.

Elements of innovation:

The project aims on revolutionizing the educational practices that apply in correctional institutions. Practices that are often overlooked and not invested upon, are now enriched with Virtual Reality Systems and practices, thus offering prisoners a great chance to become employed, when they are eventually freed. Apart from that, it serves as a process through which, prisoners widen their horizons and creatively occupy their time, while still in prison.

Target groups

• Educators, Correctional Institutions, Inmates