Inclusion and Rehabilitation by Rugby in Prison

ongoing

Inclusion and Rehabilitation by Rugby in Prison (I2RP) seeks to integrate rugby into prison life to enhance inmate rehabilitation. With European prisons facing rising overcrowding (average occupancy rate of 106% - Council of Europe), living conditions are deteriorating and prisoner reintegration is at risk. There is an urgent need for a humanized approach that provides structured activities to ease tensions and lower high recidivism rates. Currently, prison sports typically focus unstructured, planned and assessed football, weight training, or fitness routines. I2RP proposes introducing rugby, a discipline practiced in only 7% of prisons, to diversify sports offerings and to promote not only physical health benefits but also the values of discipline, respect, teamwork, and integration. The program will be delivered through pilot sessions in two prisons (one in Romania and one in France) and will include rugby training alongside complementary workshops covering emotional management, CV writing, referee training, cultural sessions on the history and values of rugby... These integrated activities aim to develop psychosocial skills, foster team spirit, and improve discipline, thereby facilitating smoother social and professional reintegration after detention. Impact and outcomes will be assessed through both quantitative and qualitative data (via a dedicated impact protocol), measuring improvements in participants’ well-being and social skills. A best practices guide will also be developed to document the benefits of rugby in prisons, supporting the dissemination of this innovative approach and methodology throughout Europe. The consortium unites Drop de Béton (France), which implements innovative initiatives through rugby and reintegration; Asociatia Judeteana Sportul Pentru Toti Suceava (Romania), which promotes inclusion through sports in prison; and Associação Portuguesa de Educação nas Prisões (Portugal), a specialist in prison education and inmate reintegration