Kabul Female Prison and Detention Center Project | INL18CA0025 APAFGHANISTAN 05012018

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Kabul Female Prison and Detention Center Project?

The Kabul Female Prison and Detention Center Project is a U.S. Department of State program managed through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It focuses on improving the immediate well-being of Afghan women and female juvenile inmates held in Kabul and strengthening their long-term reintegration prospects after release.

What is the main purpose of this grant opportunity?

The purpose is to deliver a coordinated set of services that start during incarceration and continue after release. The project combines education and skills-building, legal support, social services, and basic humanitarian assistance to help women and girls return to their communities more safely and with better chances of stability.

Who is the target population for the program?

The primary focus is on Afghan women and female juvenile inmates held in Kabul. The project also includes support for the children of imprisoned women through education and day care components.

What types of services are expected to be included in the program?

Based on the opportunity description, the project is designed to integrate multiple service areas into one effort, including education and vocational or skills training, legal assistance, social work and mediation support, distribution of medical and hygiene supplies as needed, and follow-up monitoring after release.

What is included under the education and skills-building component?

The project emphasizes education and practical skills-building for incarcerated women and girls so they can leave detention with tools that translate into real independence and improved ability to support themselves after release.

Does the project include support for inmates' children?

Yes. A major component includes education and day care for the children of imprisoned women. This is intended to reduce harm to children and make it more realistic for mothers to participate in training or services while in the facility.

What role do social workers play in this project?

The opportunity calls for employing social workers who support women approaching release by acting as mediators between inmates and their families. This mediation is intended to help resolve conflicts, reduce stigma, and negotiate safe return arrangements when possible.

What kind of legal assistance is supported by the project?

The project includes legal assistance by employing lawyers to support detainees and inmates with defense needs, trials, appeals, and efforts to obtain early release when legally justified. This component is meant to reduce barriers such as limited access to representation, lack of understanding of legal processes, and procedural delays.

Is early release assistance part of the scope?

Yes. The legal aid element specifically includes efforts to obtain early release when legally justified, as part of broader support for defense, trials, and appeals.

Does the project include humanitarian or basic needs support?

Yes. The opportunity includes distribution of necessary medical and hygiene supplies as needed. This is described as responding to basic health and dignity concerns in detention settings and adapting to needs on the ground during implementation.

Is post-release support required?

Yes. The opportunity requires follow-up with released inmates to monitor their status after leaving custody. This post-release contact is intended to track well-being, identify urgent risks, and support continued reintegration during a high-risk transition period.

Why is post-release monitoring emphasized?

The description notes that release is not a finish line. Many women and girls may face heightened vulnerability after leaving detention, including unstable housing, family rejection, safety threats, or lack of income. Monitoring is intended to help the program measure outcomes while maintaining continuity of support.

Which U.S. government entity manages this opportunity?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of State and managed through the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

What type of award instrument is used for this opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant opportunity using a cooperative agreement. That means the U.S. government expects substantial involvement and coordination during implementation, rather than a fully hands-off grant.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The opportunity number is INL18CA0025.

What is the CFDA number and activity category?

The opportunity falls under CFDA 19.703 and is categorized under the Law, Justice, and Legal Services activity area.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated a single award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling listed for the opportunity is $425,000.

When was the funding opportunity created and when did it close?

The funding opportunity was created on April 26, 2018, with an original closing date of June 8, 2018.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement's eligibility section.

Does the opportunity specify additional eligibility requirements?

The summary provided states that additional eligibility details are referenced in the full announcement's eligibility section, but those details are not included in the information provided here.

Is the project focused only on conditions inside the detention center?

No. While improving conditions and services during detention is part of the concept, the project strongly emphasizes what happens after release, including reintegration support and post-release monitoring.

How is the program intended to be delivered?

The project is designed as a coordinated effort that combines multiple supports (education, legal support, social services, and humanitarian assistance) into a single program that begins during incarceration and continues after release.