Barber Course Continues – New Run Launched at Jiřice Prison

Following the successful pilot course at Všehrdy Prison, which was completed this January by five participants, VOLONTÉ continues to expand its barber training programme to additional prisons. On 4 May 2026, a new barber course was officially launched at Jiřice Prison. Participants will undergo 40 hours of professional training, concluded by a final examination; upon successful completion, they will receive an official certificate to support their reintegration into the labour market after release.

Building on the experience from Všehrdy

The Jiřice course builds on the experience gained during the pilot run at Všehrdy Prison, which took place from November 2025 to January 2026. The pilot demonstrated that the concept – an attractive trade, training delivered directly during the sentence, and follow-up support after release – works in practice and is worth replicating. The same format and partner network is now being brought to Jiřice.

Who took part in the launch

The official launch was attended by Mgr. Bc. Roman Farkaš, DiS., specialised treatment officer and educational specialist at Jiřice Prison; Jonáš Motyčka, representing the Správný start (Right Start) project; Karel Kracík, project manager at VOLONTÉ; and the course instructor, Jakub Pokorný of Royal Barber.

What lies ahead for the participants

Participants will go through a total of 40 hours of professional training for the barber profession. The course combines theoretical instruction with practical exercises and concludes with a professional examination consisting of both written and practical parts. Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded a certificate they can use when seeking employment after release.

A bridge to life beyond prison

The course is designed with the real-life conditions participants will face after their release in mind. Beyond the certificate itself, it offers participants the opportunity to contact the instructor directly with a request for help in finding work – a tangible form of support during their return to the labour market.

This combination of vocational training and follow-up support is one of the core principles on which VOLONTÉ builds its employment programmes. It reduces the risk of reoffending and strengthens the chances of a stable start after release. For us, this is the practical embodiment of our motto – The Will to Help.

We wish all participants every success in completing the course and in applying their newly acquired skills in their lives beyond prison.

The course is funded through the project VOL Komplexní program zaměstnanosti (VOL Comprehensive Employment Programme), reg. no. CZ.03.01.01/00/24_078/0005026, supported by the Operational Programme Employment Plus, co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.