“Initiating New Standards in Journalism: Supporting (Formerly) Incarcerated Groups with Honor and Tact” (INSIGHT) project aims to support the reintegration of (formerly) incarcerated individuals by promoting ethical and respectful media representation, challenging harmful stereotypes, and raising public awareness to foster a more inclusive and empathetic society.
Our goals
Refine Media Representation of (Formerly) Incarcerated People
Develop research-based resources and training materials for young media professionals.
Support Social Reintegration
Strengthen soft skills (communication, emotional literacy, self-expression) for young individuals with a history of incarceration.
Improve Media Literacy
Enhance digital literacy and critical thinking in (ex)prisoners through collaborative workshops with young journalists.
Raise Awareness About Ethical Representation
Launch online and offline exhibitions to share diverse personal stories and foster empathy.
How do we achieve this?
Research Phase: Mapping Perceptions & Best Practices in Crime Journalism
This phase involved conducting comprehensive surveys with media representatives from each participating country to understand their views on current crime reporting practices. The research identified common challenges, stereotypes, and structural barriers in covering stories involving (formerly) incarcerated people.
International Training: Ethical & Empowered Crime Reporting
A multi-day international training brought together 23 young media representatives — 5 from each partner country, with additional participants from Italy. The sessions focused on real-world challenges in crime journalism, highlighting the importance of ethical representation, empathy-driven storytelling, and collaboration with impacted communities.
Erasmus+ training “Insight” | April 6-11 | Bologna, Italy
A week of learning, reflection and exchange of experience in the heart of Italy was exactly what the international Insight training on crime journalism, ethics and media literacy was all about.
The first INSIGHT class in the Kyiv SIZO: the start of support for juveniles
On April 25, 2025, the first lesson for minors was held at the Kyiv Pretrial Detention Center, which the team of trainers successfully conducted in an atmosphere of open dialogue and mutual respect.
INSIGHT: How the media shape perceptions of crime and trust in justice
The INSIGHT project is an initiative aimed at changing the way crimes are covered in the media. Together with our partners, we conducted a study to better understand how the media influence the perception of crime and trust in justice in society.
The INSIGHT project continues a series of classes for juveniles in the Kyiv Detention Center
On May 8, 2025, the clinicians of the Legal Clinic of the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine held a new meeting as part of the INSIGHT project. This time the topic was practical, important, and very close to the participants.
Soft Skills trainings: preparing for new opportunities with the INSIGHT project!
The participants learned how to identify their strengths, prepare an effective resume, and pass an interview. Both events were another step towards empowering the participants and building their confidence in building a life after returning to society.
Financial and legal literacy for probation clients – in the focus of the PAU Legal Clinic
Such initiatives support probation clients in their social adaptation, help them better understand their rights and become more involved in community life.
A performance that touched the soul
On June 13, the Small Opera House hosted a choreographic performance “Dimensions of My Soul” – an event that brought together spectators with different life experiences, including clients of Kyiv Region Probation
How do you write about the world without losing yourself?
On June 11, we held an international online workshop “Write the World: Autoethnography”, which gathered 20 participants from Ukraine🇺🇦, Italy🇮🇹, Croatia🇭🇷, and Lithuania🇱🇹.
A Practical Guide for Journalists Reporting on Crime and Incarcerated People
“Telling Stories Behind Bars” A Practical Guide for Journalists Reporting on Crime and Incarcerated People was developed as part of the international project “INSIGHT” (Initiating New Standards in Journalism: Supporting (formerly) Incarcerated Groups with Honor and Tact).
Online Course “Telling Stories from Prisons – Ethics and Practices”
This online course was developed within the framework of the INSIGHT project and focuses on journalism ethics, restorative justice, and a human-centered approach to crime reporting. It provides practical tools for creating thoughtful and fair stories that support reintegration.
Trainings within the INSIGHT project: Awareness raising and support for youth and probation clients
In June 2025, the international INSIGHT project conducted two important trainings aimed at raising legal and information awareness among young people, including minors, as well as probation clients of the Chernihiv District Department of the Probation Center branch in Chernihiv Oblast.
Consciousness is your first safety
Young agents of change, together with clinicians from the legal clinic of the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine, conducted an important final online soft skills training session for young people in the Kyiv SIZO as part of the INSIGHT project.
How can objectivity and justice exist together?
On July 8, 2025, we held an international online workshop “Report with Equity: Solutions Journalism”, which brought together more than 30 participants from Ukraine🇺🇦, Lithuania🇱🇹, Italy🇮🇹, and Croatia🇭🇷
Yoga practice “Elements of Movement”
On August 15, as part of the INSIGHT project, a special event took place in a cozy yoga studio — a practice called “Elements of Movement” for representatives of Probation Ukraine.
Media, trust, and (im)partiality: how to talk about prisoners in Ukraine
On July 29, an online discussion entitled “Media coverage of convicts, prisoners, and (former) convicts in Ukraine: trust, bias, and the role of the media” was held, organized by the NGO “Young Agents of Change” in cooperation with the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine as part of the international INSIGHT project.
How to talk about crime without bias?
More than 30 journalists gathered in Kyiv to change the old rules of the game in the media. On September 15, the Ukrainian-Danish Youth House hosted a workshop entitled Share Your Sight: How to Write About Crime Without Bias.
How to write about crime without bias — the second workshop, this time in Lviv!
On October 25, a workshop entitled Share Your Sight: How to Write About Crime Without Bias was held, bringing together journalists, editors, students, and media professionals from all over Ukraine.
First interviews behind bars: stories of people who are often not heard
At Zhytomyr Penal Colony No. 4—a medium-security facility where men serving their first prison sentences for serious and particularly serious crimes are held—we conducted our first interviews with people whose stories are usually overlooked by the media.
Continuing the interview behind bars: more voices — more stories
At the Kolomyia Correctional Colony No. 41, we continued our series of interviews with people serving sentences.
How the online workshop “Ethical journalism about people serving sentences and returning to the community” went
On March 5, an online workshop was held on responsible coverage of the topics of punishment, resocialization, and reintegration of people into society.
Stories that help you see beyond the headlines
On May 8, the NGO “Young Agents of Change” organized an exhibition as part of the international INSIGHT project at the Penitentiary Academy of Ukraine (Chernihiv).
What are the next steps?
We will produce a handbook compiling best practices and tools for respectful and comprehensive crime reporting, serving as a lasting resource for media professionals.
A digital exhibition platform will be created to present co-developed stories from all partner countries, highlighting diverse experiences and challenging stigmas.
We will initiate conversations with universities and youth organizations on how to embed ethical and humane reporting principles into journalism curricula.
The project will culminate in an international conference to share project results, amplify best practices, and foster ongoing collaboration around respectful media representation and social reintegration.