There are currently over 300 vacancies in Latvian places of detention. With the opening of Liepaja Prison, their number may increase further, public media reports.
How to attract employees to prisons? Measures will be taken to break down stereotypes about this work and make prisons more open to potential workers.
"There are still various stereotypes in society, based on, for example, various movies about Russian and American prisons. A lot has changed in our system over the past decades. Certain stereotypes are the first thing we encounter when addressing potential candidates for positions, which indicate what holds them back," said Kristine Beitele, head of the training center for the prison management.
For example, there is an opinion that working in a prison is dangerous, low-paid, and has no prospects. To showcase the real work and career opportunities, as well as to give interested individuals a chance to communicate with employees, open days will be organized in prisons for the first time in November. The first event will take place in Valmiera.
It is there that Zane Romancane from Limbazi works as a guard. She previously worked in security.
"I have always felt that service is my story. Then an opportunity arose, I applied, and successfully passed all the checks. Working in a prison is not monotonous: every day can be different, each prisoner has their own behavior, and one day is not like another. It is physical and active work," Romancane said.
"I started as a senior inspector in the security unit, and now I hold the position of deputy head of the prison. There is not a single identical day: employees have many different tasks, they participate in events, conduct classes, or accompany prisoners outside the prison. The work is not monotonous," noted Arturs Freimanis, deputy head of Liepaja Prison, agreeing with his colleague's opinion.
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