Jiří Mertl received his Ph.D. degree in political science at the University of West Bohemia. He deals with topics of social justice, power, marginalization, criminology (especially critical and cultural), social policy and critical social work. It then focuses primarily on the analysis of the production of marginalization and crime through structural inequalities, the mitigation and elimination of these structural inequalities as a preventive measure, the destigmatization of marginalized populations and needs-oriented and participatory social work. He works at Charles University, completes the THERAPEUT-VTOS research project at the University of West Bohemia and collaborates externally with the University of Ostrava. In addition, he participates in various advocacy activities.
Projekt „Systémové zajištění péče pro vězněné uživatele drog a její následná kontinuita po propuštění“ je finančně podpořen finančním mechanismem Norské fondy 2014–2021 v Programu Spravedlnost. Projekt je realizován v partnerství s organizacemi Centrum protidrogové prevence a terapie, o.p.s., KOTEC, o.p.s., Laxus z.ú., Magdalena, o.p.s., SANANIM z.ú., Společnost Podané ruce o.p.s.