Psychology in prison isolation - report of an online workshop

13 May 2025 another specialised workshop organised by the Institute of Psychology of the University of Vocational Training. The online meeting, led by Dr Marta Jastrzębska, a retired Prison Service officer and experienced penitentiary psychologist, brought together 25 second and third semester psychology students.

Psychological opinions in prison - theory and practice

During the two-hour workshop, participants had the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes work of a psychologist in penitentiary units, with particular emphasis on the process of providing opinions. The presenter discussed issues related to the provision of psychological assistance in prison isolation, the construction of psychological opinions and psychological-penitentiary judgements on the basis of the applicable regulations.

Among the topics discussed were:

• examples of opinions and judgements created by prison psychologists;
• the rules for referring convicted prisoners to the Diagnostic Centre;
• structure of a professional opinion - from purpose and methods to conclusions and recommendations.

Valuable knowledge and practical perspective

The workshop enabled students to gain specific knowledge about the competences of a psychologist in working with people deprived of their liberty. The meeting allowed for a better understanding of the role of psychological opinion in the context of the criminal executive law and brought the reality of working in prisons and detention centres closer.

An added value of the event was the announcement of a field trip to the Detention Centre, which will take place on an agreed date - providing a practical complement to the knowledge gained during the workshop.

Learn about the function of the head of state from A to Z at the National Academic Conference "The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position"

Is the presidency merely a representative office or a key element of the balance of power in Poland? The institution of the President of the Republic of Poland has intrigued and stirred emotions for years - both in public debate and among scholars of the political system. Soon, students of our University, doctoral students, lecturers and representatives of the legal community will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the institution during the National Academic Conference 'The President of the Republic of Poland: campaigning, elections, political position'. This is a unique space for discussion with constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts.

The President of the Republic of Poland under the magnifying glass - a detailed analysis of the functions of the head of state

The National Scientific Conference, organised by our University together with the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring, will take place 13 May 2025 at 10:00 am online.

The theme will be an in-depth reflection on the function of the President of the Republic of Poland - from the electoral process, to campaign strategies, to the constitutional positioning of the office. The meeting will bring together constitutionalists, political scientists and public life experts to look at the evolution of the presidency and the current challenges facing the head of state. 

The focus will also be on the impact of the president's relations with other authorities on the functioning of the state and the political balance. The variety of research approaches and perspectives will enable a comprehensive assessment of the role of this office in the system of the Republic. 

One of the speakers will be Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak - Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Wrocław, Vice-President of the Polish Constitutional Law Association (PTPK), Member of the Scientific Council of the International Academy of Constitutional Law in Tunis (Tunisia). Author of numerous scientific publications in the field of constitutional law.

At the heart of the debate - key election issues

The National Scientific Conference will address the following topics topics of importance for the functioning of the state. Participants at the event will have the opportunity to look at the following topics, among others:

• Presidential campaign financing - transparency, spending limits, legality of so-called pre-campaigns.
• The role of media and new technologies in presidential campaigns - the challenges of disinformation used to achieve political objectives.
• The principle of the universality of presidential elections and the real accessibility of voting participation - an analysis of statutory solutions.
• Electronic voting in presidential elections (i-voting) - an opportunity for modernisation or a threat to the integrity of elections?
• Mode of electoral dispute resolution in presidential elections - the role of the Supreme Court and its legitimacy.
• Presidential prerogatives.

From the veto to the military - the practical dimension of the presidency

The conference will also provide an opportunity for an in-depth analysis of the constitutional role of the President of the Republic of Poland. Experts will delve into issues concerning his influence on national and international politics, as well as the the evolution of the presidential model in Poland. The meeting will address issues such as:

• The President's role in foreign policy - limits of competence and relationship with the government.
• The so-called presidential veto and its significance for the dual executive model.
• The role of the President as head of the armed forces - competences and real significance in national defence policy.
• The concept of active presidency vs. ceremonial presidency - an analysis of recent presidential practice.
• A non-partisan president in the political system - myth or necessity for systemic balance?

Detailed conference programme and speakers

The conference programme will allow participants to immerse themselves in an interdisciplinary debate, covering both the legal and political aspects as well as the technological or communication challenges of the presidency. A detailed schedule of speeches will open up space for reflection on the real meaning of the office of the President of the Republic of Poland in a changing world.

The conference will be inaugurated by:

• Dr Kamil Stępniak - President of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Rule of Law Monitoring;
• Dr Andrzej Chajbowicz - Director of the Institute of Law at the College of Professional Training.

Expert panel: The presidency and democracy: challenges and models in comparative and forward-looking perspectives

• 10:15-10:35 - Prof. Dr. Krystian Complak (WSKZ): The constitutional position of the president in Poland and selected Latin American countries - a comparative analysis of presidential models;
• 10:35-10:55 - Dr Małgorzata Andrzejczak-Świątek (Police Academy in Szczytno): The role of the OSCE in the context of monitoring free elections;
• 10:55-11:15 - Jakub Kocjan MA (Democracy Action / INP PAN): President vis-à-vis the judiciary and vice versa;
• 11:15-11:35 - Anna Bigaj, MA (University of Gdańsk): The impact of new technologies on the transparency and legitimacy of presidential campaigns;
• 11:35-11:55 - Karolina Wilamowska (University of Gdańsk): Artificial intelligence at the service of democracy or its threat?
• 11:55-12:15 - Discussion;
• 12:15-12:30 - Pause.

Panel I: The struggle for office. The presidential campaign in the light of law, media and political practice

• 12:30-12:45 - Dr Damian Wąsik, Dr Natalia Wąsik (WSKZ): Criminal law protection of presidential elections in Poland;
• 12:45-13:00 - Cyprian Mrzygłód (UG): Problems of debates organised by the election committee of a candidate for the office of President of the Republic of Poland;
• 13:00-13:15 - Magdalena Szypulska (UW): New challenges for justice and social media;
• 13:15-13:30 - Tomasz Jagielski, MA (UO, Doctoral School): The fight for the presidency from the perspective of political groups;
• 13:30-13:45 - Damian Olender (UWM): Social media and the constitutional limits of the President's public activity;
• 13:45-13:55 - Discussion;
• 13:55-14:00 - Pause.

Panel II: The President of the Republic in the constitutional system - between symbol and real power

• 14:00-14:15 - Jan Brzuchalski (UW): Ability to challenge acts issued by the President;
• 14:15-14:30 - Katarzyna Uściłko, Natalia Ozimek (UwB): Mobilisation of the armed forces by the President of the Republic in an emergency situation;
• 14:30-14:45 - Paweł Piszczek (UEK): The president as player, arbiter or statistician?
• 14:45-15:00 - Jakub Drozd (URz): Theory and practice of the legislative veto;
• 15:00-15:15 - Dorota Antczak (UO): The role of the President of the Republic in states of emergency;
• 15:15-15:30 - Weronika Klecha (UMCS): The role of the President in international relations;
• 15:30-15:45 - Aleksandra Trachta, MA (UJDCz): Presidential prerogatives and the legal position of citizens;
• 15:45-16:00 - Dominik Rot (KUL, Centre for Constitutional Law): The right of clemency and the limits of the Presidential prerogative;
• 16:00-16:10 - Discussion;
• 16:10 - Closing of the conference.

Take part in the conference

If you would like to be actively involved in the National Scientific Conference, simply send an abstract (200-300 words) to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl - the deadline for submitting applications is 4 May 2025. Active participation is free and concluded with the issue of certificate. Want to listen to the experts? Submit a passive participation - it's easy, just click!

Do you have any questions? Write to: konferencja@cpkimp.pl.

From the police frontline - behind the scenes of operational work and the fight against pseudo-football crime

Already on 28 May at 19:00 a unique online event will take place in as part of the "Meeting with practitioners" series. The guest speaker will be retired police sub-inspector Krzysztof Hejmowski - former head of the Department for Combating Pseudo Football Crime of the Provincial Police Headquarters in Gdansk.

This is a unique opportunity to learn about the realities of operational work in the police force and get a behind-the-scenes look at activities targeting the criminality of pseudo-fans.

Krzysztof Hejmowski - three decades of service and experience from the front line

Krzysztof Hejmowski served in the police force for more than 30 years (1994-2025). He started as a detective in the Criminal Investigation Department in Gdynia and, in time, took up the position of 1st Deputy District Police Chief in Puck. He specialised in operational activities, prosecution of criminal offenders, combating criminal terrorism and pseudo football crime.

During his career has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, such as:

•  apprehension of the person responsible for digging up human beings remains in the Tri-city;
• breaking up a group of pseudo football fans operating illegal gambling;
• double homicide investigation in Puck County;
• operational measures against so-called "stalls" and brutal hijinks.

When and where?

The event will last one hour and will be held in an online format. To join, simply follow the link: https://meet.google.com/uiy-hnnj-ggv.

Students are cordially invited those interested in security, forensics and uniformed services!

Online workshop "Psychologist in the Prison Service" - coverage of the event

On 6 May 2025, second and third semester psychology students had the opportunity to take part in a unique workshop organised by the Institute of Psychology at the College of Professional Training. The meeting, conducted in an online format, was led by Dr Marta Jastrzębska, a retired Prison Service officer, who shared her knowledge and experience of working as a penitentiary psychologist.

Practice and theory - two worlds of work in penitentiary units

The workshop entitled "Psychologist in the Prison Service (official pragmatics)". lasted two hours - from 18:00 to 20:00 - and attracted a group of 25 students interested in the specifics of working in prisons and detention centres. During the meeting, participants learnt about the key provisions of the Criminal Executive Law and other regulations concerning the role of a psychologist in penitentiary units.

The workshop addressed the following issues, among others:

• The legal basis of the work of the penitentiary psychologist;
• classification of prisons and typology of the prison population;
• The impact of prison isolation on the mental state - as a total and deprivational situation.

Real-life challenges and competences of the penitentiary psychologist

The workshop aimed to make participants aware of the realities of a psychologist's work in a closed environment. Dr Jastrzębska discussed not only the formal aspects of the profession, but also pointed out the practical skills that are required on a daily basis in a penitentiary department or diagnostic centre. Students learnt what qualities and attitudes are key to performing this role effectively and ethically.

Thanks to the professionalism of the presenter and the opportunity to ask questions, participants were able to better understand the challenges faced by a psychologist working in the Prison Service units. This event not only broadened the horizons of the young psychology students, but also encouraged them to further explore this demanding but much-needed professional path.

How to be a leader who is not afraid of difficult conversations? Change the team atmosphere with conscious leadership

Already 11 May 2025 at 9:00 welcome to a unique online workshop: "Talking to an employee in a crisis situation - training for Team Leaders".. The meeting will be led by Anna Piguła, MA, an expert in communication and crisis psychology. The workshop will be held on the Google Meet platform and will have an active and mixed character - combining mini-lectures, simulations, brainstorming, case studies and individual work. The number of places is limited to 20 people, and participation requires access to a camera and microphone. Please note that registration for the workshop is on a first-come, first-served basis! The meeting has been scheduled for 2 hours.

Why is it worth it?

Psychological crises in the workplace can occur suddenly and have a major impact on the effectiveness of the team. Leaders who are able to recognise the first signs of difficulty and respond accordingly build an environment based on safety, trust and commitment.

The workshop will not only help to better manage difficult situations in the team, but also to develop leadership competences in the area of emotional intelligence and mental resilience.

Scope of the workshop

During the workshop, participants will learn about the most important areas related to the role of a leader in crisis situations. Topics include both the basics of crisis psychologyas well as specific communication techniques and a reflection on responsibility and the limits of support. The following will also be discussed conversation modelswhich facilitate effective responses to difficult team situations.

Among the topics discussed will be:

• what is a psychological crisis and how it can manifest itself in the workplace;
• what is the role of the leader in a crisis situation - What can and should be avoided;
• how to conduct supportive communication - Active listening, paraphrasing and formulating empathetic messages;
• what a supportive interview model looks like - based, inter alia, on a 4-step intervention scheme;
• where the limits of a leader's responsibility lie and when it is worth reaching out for specialist support;
• how to take care of your own boundaries and not to transfer their own emotions to the team - the role of self-awareness in support work.

Participation in the workshop will enable you to

The training has a practical dimension - focused on real-world skills that you can use in your daily work with your team. By taking part in the workshop gain tools and awareness, which will help you to effectively support employees and respond to difficult situations.

In particular, you will be able to:

• increase confidence when talking to employees experiencing difficulties;
• identify problems more quickly, before they escalate - which will help prevent absenteeism, burnout and resignation;
• hold professional, supportive conversations in crisis situations;
• recognise stress signalsburnout and crisis in team members;
• develop communication skills - from active listening to formulating empathetic messages;
• set healthy boundaries for the leadership role - know when to support and when to refer for specialist help;
• build relationships based on trust and increase the sense of security within the team;
• strengthen your mental resilience and leadership competences in the area of emotional intelligence.

Workshops will not be recorded, which will foster authenticity and the free exchange of experiences. There will also be no dedicated technical support, therefore it is worth checking the equipment before the meeting and access to the Google Meet platform.

Business from a psychologist's perspective - students from the College of Vocational Training took part in a unique workshop

An online workshop was held on 6 May 2025 entitled. "Psychologist in business - what for and for whom?", led by Dr Magdalena Slazyk-Sobol -. expert in the application of psychology in the business environment. The event was organised for Psychology and Business Psychology students as part of a series of practical meetings.

Competencies and career paths of a psychologist in an organisation

The meeting aimed to show the role and function of the psychologist working in the organisational structures of the, taking into account areas of activity, target groups and possible career paths. Workshop participants learned about the practical aspects of a psychologist's work in companies, became familiar with examples of ongoing projects and professional challenges, and discussed key competences necessary in the working environment.

Active student participation and debriefing

The workshop was met with great interest - students actively participated in discussions on the importance of soft skills, team collaboration and the specifics of psychological challenges in business. We would like to congratulate Dr Magdalena Slazyk-Sobol on the professional preparation of the meeting and creating a space for an inspiring, substantive exchange. We would also like to thank all participants for their activity and commitment!

The first research methodology workshop for students of the College of Vocational Training is now behind us!

An online workshop on psychological research methodology was held on 7 May 2025 from 17:00 to 19:30aimed at psychology students at the School of Vocational Training. The meeting was chaired by Dr Artur Ziolkowski, Professor at our University.

During the class, participants had the opportunity to structure and expand their knowledge of concerning the stages of the research process, formulating questions and hypotheses, identifying variables and learning about different research models. The workshop was a practical development of the content discussed during the semester lectures and was a valuable support in preparation for independent research projects. The event was planned in two parts - the next one will take place on 14 May and will deepen the issues discussed earlier.

University of Vocational Training co-organiser of the Lower Silesian Science Festival

We are pleased to announce that the College of Vocational Training has been officially accepted as a co-organiser of the Lower Silesian Science Festival - one of the largest science popularisation events in the region. This is an important step towards promoting knowledge and developing scientific passions among the inhabitants of Wrocław and the surrounding area.

As part of the co-organisation, a series of lectures, workshops and presentations prepared by the University's lecturers. The aim of the activities will be to make knowledge accessible and inspire people to explore the world of science.

What is the Lower Silesian Science Festival?

The Lower Silesian Science Festival is a cyclical educational event, which for 28 years has brought together participants of all ages, offering a rich programme including:

• lectures and popular science presentations;
• workshops, experiments and demonstrations;
• meetings with scientists and experts;
• educational excursions, city games and activities for children.

The event is organised in cooperation with universities, schools, research institutions and community organisations from across the region. All meetings take place free of chargeand the festival encompasses many Lower Silesian cities, including. Wrocław, Legnica, Wałbrzych, Bolesławiec, Lubin, Polkowice, Jelenia Góra, Ząbkowice Śląskie, Strzelin and Zgorzelec..

The mission of the festival is to show that Science is not just laboratories and textbooksbut also discovery, questioning and a fascinating dialogue with the world. The participation of the University of Applied Sciences in the DFN is an opportunity to to reach a wider audience with knowledge and jointly building a space for science enthusiasts of all ages. You are cordially invited!

Your first scientific publication? Gain knowledge with a webinar by Dr. Adam Rzetecki!

How do you successfully get started with academic publishing in the legal field? Already On May 8, 2025 at 5:30 pm, please join us for a unique webinar led by Dr Adam Rzetecki Assistant Professor at the College of Professional Training and author of numerous legal publications. The meeting will be an excellent opportunity to learn the behind-the-scenes of preparing a scientific article, acquiring a body of work and the successful publication process. This event is aimed at students who plan to develop academically in the fields of law, law in business and administration.

What can you expect during the meeting?

During the webinar, Dr Adam Rzetecki Author of more than 20 scientific articles on tax law, associate of the renowned publishing house C.H. Beck (author of two books) - share their knowledge, experience and practical tips for budding authors.

Issues such as:

• Selection of the study area in the perspective of correlation with one's own academic interests and the practice of legal work.
• Planning to build up the scientific outputand the process of establishing one's own position
  in the world of science.
• Ways of finding a prospective research topicand the context for shaping a coherent characterisation of the publications being prepared.
• Importance of ongoing research as a tool supporting the preparation of the dissertation.
• From researcher to experthow to find an issue of relevance to legal transactions
  and start specialising in it.
• Principles for producing professional scientific articlesThe differences between scientific and applied texts.
• Advice on collection and use of materials as an essential tool for scientific work.
• How to make an article valuable, or the principles of preparing, editing and adapting a text to the requirements for scientific publications.
• Effective publishing in the context of difficultiesthat people taking their first steps in the world of science face.

Who is this event for?

The free webinar is particularly recommended for students of Law, Business Law and Administrationwho want to consciously develop their scientific path. Participants will learn about the process of producing a publication - from the idea, to writing, to successfully submitting an article to a scientific journal.

Why is it worth it?

Scientific publications are not only evidence of a commitment to knowledge developmentbut also an important asset when applying for doctoral programmes, scholarship competitions or in future careers. Thanks to the meeting with a practitioner such as Dr Adam Rzetecki, participants gain invaluable knowledge and practical tools facilitating a start in the world of science.

Contest for a gloss on the Constitutional Court's ruling - take up the challenge and speak out on freedom of speech!

Are you a student at WSKZ and interested in constitutional law, human rights or freedom of expression? Do you want to gain new skills and train your scientific and legal skills? Stand out! Take part in the glosses competition and tackle one of the most controversial rulings of recent years!

Gloss topic:

Constitutional Court judgment of 6 October 2015, ref. SK 54/13 - the case of singer Doda and the limits of freedom of expression in the context of offence to religious feelings.

You can find the verdict to the gloss on the website: Case SK 54/13

Your task is to prepare a gloss - that is, a short, analytical form of commentary on the judgment. Show how you understand the constitution, freedom of speech and the limits of expression!

Deadline for submission of works: until 5 May 2025.

Address for submissions: glosa@wskz.pl

To win: prizes and publication of the best works on the university website!

Glos will be assessed by a professional jury.

The text must be no more than 20,000 characters with spaces. Glossary should be formatted in the following way: font Times New Roman - 12 p., leading 1.5, margins on both sides: 2.5 cm. Footnotes: font Times New Roman - 10 pt., interline 1.0. Bibliography divided into legal sources, case law, literature, Internet sources.

Detailed editorial requirements and competition rules can be found in the competition regulations.

Don't miss this opportunity to shine with your knowledge and argumentation! It's not just a competition - it's a chance to make a name for yourself as a young, critical-thinking lawyer!