Final Conference

​The VR4REACT Final conference was held on 3rd July 2025 at the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Poznań (Poland).
The event was co-organised with the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Poznań and held under the patronage of the Polish Ministry of Justice.
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This one-day conference marked the culmination of the project’s efforts, bringing together consortium partners and professionals from the justice sector, including prison and probation services across eight countries, non-governmental organisations, and research institutions engaged in prison and probation work.

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Key Lessons ////////////////////////////////////

◻ Provided practical insights and tools for the prison and probation sector, partners and guests shared the key outcomes, lessons learned, and valuable insights gained throughout the VR4REACT project with a broader audience, ensuring the knowledge generated was disseminated across relevant sectors.
 
◻ Highlighted the role of Virtual Reality in reducing aggression – Showcased how VR technology contributed to promoting prosocial behaviour and decreasing reactive aggression among inmates.
 
◻ Supported capacity building for prison staff, probation officers and trainers - Emphasised the importance of training and upskilling prison personnel - including educators, psychologists, and officers - to effectively manage reactive aggression within prison environments. This also included presenting the impact of the VR4REACT training programmes for staff and trainers.
 
◻ Promoted knowledge sharing - Facilitated discussions among prison and probation sector practitioners on how VR4REACT’s findings could be implemented and scaled within other prison systems.
 
◻ Fostered collaboration and continued dialogue - Encouraged future European collaborations between prison staff, probation officers, psychologists, educators, and other stakeholders to address aggression-related challenges.
 
◻ Celebrated the achievements of the VR4REACT project - Acknowledged and celebrated the key accomplishments of the project with a relevant and engaged audience.
 
◻ Offered a field visit to the prison in Poznań - Provided participants with the opportunity to tour the prison, gaining deeper insights into the prison environment.

​62 Participants

8 Countries

5 Panels

5 Moderators

20 Speakers

Summary of the event //////////////////////

The event opened with speeches by Robert Jóźwiak (District Inspectorate of Prison Service in Poznan), Rashel Talukder (Polish Platform for Homeland Security), and José Luis Postigo Sierra (Rey Juan Carlos University). They highlighted the conference’s goals, the journey of the VR4REACT project, and its role in promoting safer prisons through innovative training.

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Keynote Session: The Future of The Prison Sector:
​Using Training and Technology to Manage Aggression 

​Deputy Minister Maria Ejchart (Ministry of Justice, Poland), who holds a honorary patronage over VR4REACT activities in Poland, discussed how technology, especially Virtual Reality, is revolutionizing prison staff training and aggression management. The keynote emphasized immersive tools as a way to improve safety and shape future policy.

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VR4REACT in Focus: Highlights from the Project Journey

​José Luis Postigo Sierra and Inês Castro reviewed the project’s achievements, challenges and impacts across partner countries, noting tangible changes in prison staff training and aggression management strategies.
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Understanding and Addressing Reactive Aggression in Prison Settings

Sandra López Díaz and Justyna Karolak explored the nature of reactive aggression, its psychological and institutional consequences and real-life de-escalation techniques. Case studies and videos illustrated practical applications.
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VR4React in Action: Demonstrating the Solution

Inês de Castro and Cezary Mecwaldowski showcased the VR training scenarios, explaining their pedagogical aims and gathering reflections from users on effectiveness. 
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Study Visit in Poznań Detention Center

​Invited guests had a chance to participate in a guided visit to Poznań prison facility.
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Voices From the Ground: Stories from VR4REACT Interventions

Prison professionals from multiple partner countries shared hands-on experiences implementing VR4REACT. Testimonials from inmates reflected personal and behavioral changes. Discussions focused on outcomes, challenges, and anticipated long-term cultural shifts in prisons.
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Turning Innovation into Daily Correctional Practices

​A panel discussed how to integrate VR4REACT into everyday correctional work, addressing technological, institutional, and financial barriers. Speakers shared strategies for sustainable implementation, measuring impact, and achieving systemic change.
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Conclusions, reflections, ideas from guests throughout the conference

◻ The VR project in prisons has generated high inmate interest, with positive feedback, emotional engagement, and active participation.
 
◻ VR shows strong potential for addressing reactive aggression but should be combined with psychological or social therapy and tailored to individual rehabilitation plans.
 
◻ Institutional challenges – overcrowding, understaffing, and lack of psychological support – contribute to aggressive behaviors.
 
◻ Low staff motivation to implement the programme is a significant obstacle; VR is often seen as “one more task” rather than an integrated tool.
 
◻ Regular staff training is crucial, periodic training for security staff could be enhanced with VR.
 
◻ VR facilitators should receive comprehensive training to ensure effective use, and content should be translated into multiple languages.
 
◻ Understanding the theory of aggression helps inmates think before reacting and better manage impulsive behavior.

◻ Individual success stories demonstrate the possibility of change through consistent practice and goal-setting.

◻ Respectful communication and relationship-building between staff and inmates are key in preventing conflicts.

◻ The project faces sustainability challenges, mainly a lack of funding and human resources after the project’s end

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