Representing the Prison Service at the meeting were Colonel Małgorzata Banasiak, Director of the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Łódź, and her Deputy, Colonel Robert Fijałkowski. On behalf of the University of Lodz, the agreement was signed by Prof. Rafał Zarębski, Dean of the Faculty of Philology. There were also dr hab. Anna Lenartowicz-Zagrodna, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Head of the Institute of Polish Philology and Logopaedics, and dr hab. Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, Deputy Director for Teaching Affairs.
From Agreement to Action
The rehabilitation programme "Słowa, które budują więzi. List jako narzędzie odbudowy relacji” [Words That Build Bonds. A Letter as a Tool for Rebuilding Relationships], developed by dr hab. Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz and approved by the management of the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service, will be yhe first joint initiative.
As early as this semester, a small group of Polish Philology students will conduct classes for incarcerated individuals devoted to the art of writing personal letters. A letter will become something more than a form of expression here – it will serve as a tool enabling people to express gratitude, apologies, longing or hope, and, above all, helping them maintain and rebuild relationships with their loved ones. The meetings will support the development of linguistic, communication and emotional competences among incarcerated individuals, while for our students they will provide an opportunity to apply their knowledge of Polish studies in practice and in socially meaningful activities
– explains dr hab. Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz, who will supervise the group conducting the classes.
This, however, is only the beginning of the cooperation. The Institute of Polish Philology and Logopaedics also plans to develop a new specialisation for Polish Philology students that will broaden their competences and may open up employment opportunities within the Prison Service for graduates.
The agreement also provides for joint meetings and training sessions for students of the Faculty of Philology and Prison Service officers, the exchange of knowledge and experience, as well as activities promoting the initiatives of both institutions. Coordination of the implementation of the agreement on behalf of the Faculty of Philology has been entrusted to the Institute of Polish Philology and Logopaedics, represented by dr hab. Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz.
Photos: Bartosz Burski (Promotion and Communication Office of the Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz) / Major Cezary Jabłoński (Spokesperson for the Director of the District Inspectorate of the Prison Service in Lodz)
Text: dr hab. Agnieszka Wierzbicka, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz
Edit: Promotion and Communication Office of the Faculty of Philology, University of Lodz
