Support for the wrongdoer

(Baonghean) - "They have made mistakes, fallen, but our mission is to help them stand up and move forward with their will, determination and confidence as human beings", the speech of Colonel Nguyen Viet Hoan, Warden of Prison No. 6, moved those present at the exchange session "Lighting up dreams for a brighter tomorrow" organized by the Provincial Youth Union in coordination with Prison No. 6, many people could not hold back their tears.

Nguyen Thi Diem Trang was once a talented student of the Vocal Music Department, Hanoi Conservatory of Music. With her tall figure, white skin and black eyes, Trang was the dream of many young men, many "rich men" spared no expense to buy Trang precious gifts and sweet words. Facing the temptation of material things, the music conservatory student could not control herself, falling into the arms of a rich tycoon. All-night parties brought the young girl to white death and she became a drug carrier for her lover.

Four years ago, Trang was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison, serving her sentence at Prison No. 6, Ministry of Public Security. In the early days of entering the prison, the young girl had the intention of ending her life, especially after the intense cravings for drugs. With the encouragement of the prison officers, Trang was able to kick her addiction, gradually gaining confidence, and standing up to reform well. Being talented in dancing, singing, directing programs, and being an MC, Diem Trang was assigned to be in charge of the prisoner's art programs.

Wearing ao dai, standing under the stage lights with melodious music, the prisoner with an artistic soul seemed to come back to life. It was Diem Trang who composed the poem “Lullaby of a Thousand Lives” to the melody of Ca Tru by Colonel Le Trung Hieu - Deputy Warden of Prison No. 6. During the exchange session in mid-August, the lyrics were sung passionately by Trang and the group of “singers wearing numbered shirts”, making the whole hall admire.

Ho Van Thin (born in 1984), was imprisoned for intentionally causing injury leading to death. In the early days of prison, Thin often fell into a state of depression, sometimes wanting to give up life, but then with the encouragement of the prison guards, Thin regained his spirit and promised to reform well to soon reunite with his wife, children and family. Therefore, Thin is a prisoner who is always praised in the summary sessions for his progressive reform achievements. Thin said: "When I came here, I learned the value of love. I hope to soon return to my family and society to rebuild my life and I hope that society and organizations will welcome people who have made mistakes like me so that we have the opportunity to correct our mistakes and make up for our families."

Ho Van Thin (holding the microphone) at the exchange session "Lighting up dreams for a bright future". Photo: TN

Prison No. 6 - General Department VIII has about 4,000 prisoners, of which about 70% are involved in drugs. Usually, prisoners who store and trade drugs and re-offend are those with a history of drug addiction or organized traders. Nguyen Thi Lan Huong (born in 1980) has been to prison 3 times, most recently, Huong was caught red-handed while selling and storing a quantity of drugs and was sentenced to 8 years in prison. In her previous prison terms, Huong learned how to make fake eyelashes and cross-stitch paintings, but after being released from prison, due to the pressures of society and her family's poverty, and having no job, she did not know what to do to make a living after her prison term, so she "took a risk too hard", and went back to her old ways.

Like Huong, Tran Van Than, from Nam Dinh, was sentenced to drug use because of his addiction, which led to illegal drug trading and possession, and he also reoffended for the second time. Than was a prisoner who had reformed well and had prestige among other prisoners, so he was voted by the prisoners in his unit and was assigned by the prison warden to be the team leader of a 60-man unit. Looking at Than, who was healthy and spoke fluently, few people would have thought that he had been "weak" because of his addiction. Than said: "I used to be an electronics repairman, repairing household electricity, but the difficulty for us was that when we got out of prison, we were often shunned by society. Even if we opened a shop, there were very few customers because they were afraid that the prisoner would steal our things. So we got discouraged and turned to bad friends..."

When asked what help they need from the community so that they can completely leave their old “jobs”, both Huong and Than hope that after their prison terms are over, they will be recruited into an industrial park near their home so that they can stabilize their lives; they want to play soccer and participate in cultural exchanges with the youth in their neighborhood and commune. In particular, they hope that their neighbors will not look at them with suspicion or contempt, so that they can live confidently. “Since there have been cultural exchange programs between the Youth Union and the Youth Union of Nghe An province and prisoners, young prisoners like us have more hope, feel that life is more meaningful, and see the day of release is closer ahead,” prisoner Tran Van Than confided.

Prisoners learn sewing at Prison No. 6. Photo: NK

Since 2010, the Provincial Youth Union and the General Department VIII - Ministry of Public Security have signed a program to coordinate the education of young prisoners and help them reintegrate into the community. Every year, the Provincial Youth Union coordinates with Prison No. 6 to have meaningful exchange programs. This is an opportunity for prisoners to interact and meet with "guests from society".

Through the program, the community aims to show its concern and support for those who have lost their civil rights. In addition to organizing exchange sessions, the Association also coordinates with the Young Doctors Club to organize medical examinations and provide free medicine for prisoners with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and chronic diseases. From these medical examinations, prisoners have more determination and hope for their health. Through this, they have deeply felt the care, support and sharing from the community. The program is also a place to connect businesses with prisons so that businesses can cooperate with Vocational Training Camps, select prisoners with skills and good rehabilitation, help them soon have a stable life when returning to the community, contributing to reducing the rate of recidivism...

On the occasion of the upcoming National Day, September 2, nearly 300 prisoners of Prison No. 6 will be granted amnesty. These people, when released from prison, may become good citizens who are useful to society. However, no one can be sure that among them, there will be people who will not re-offend. In addition to the efforts of themselves and their families, the drastic participation of the Youth Union and Association is the spiritual support that helps them quickly adapt to normal life, stay away from bad friends and reduce the risk of re-offending. At the same time, the Youth Union and Association must actively mobilize organizations and businesses to have vocational training programs and recruit people with skills to work. That is the true companionship and sharing!

Thanh Nga