Wide open way for those who make mistakes

(Baonghean) - In recent years, with support from the government and local organizations, many people after completing their prison sentences have had stable jobs and actively participated in activities where they live.

Overcoming mistakes

Coming to block 13, Dong Vinh ward (Vinh city), talking with the famous devoted head of the residential group Pham Duc Duong (born in 1985), it is hard to imagine that he had a past of mistakes when he embarked on the "drug path". After graduating from high school, Duong passed the entrance exam to Viet Yen - Bac Giang College of Agriculture and Forestry, majoring in Land Administration. In 2007, graduating with a degree in hand, Duong hoped to find a job to help his parents. However, during the time he had not found a job, Duong followed bad friends and fell into the path of drugs.

After many unsuccessful attempts to rehabilitate their son, Duong's parents decided to marry him off, hoping he would change and take care of his family. However, in mid-2011, when his young wife was pregnant with their first son, Duong was arrested for illegal possession and use of drugs and sentenced to two years in prison.

While serving his sentence, thinking of his young wife who had to raise their child alone, Duong was determined to rebuild his life. Thanks to his active rehabilitation, in 2013, Duong was released from prison 3 months early. Returning to reintegrate into the community, with the encouragement of his family, neighbors, and local authorities, Duong was accepted to work at the Dong Vinh Market Management Board.

Hung Nguyen District Police awarded certificates of merit to individuals with outstanding achievements in community reintegration work.

Having a job, faith and the desire to reform, Duong threw himself into work and social activities to make up for what he had done to his family in the past. With much effort, Duong gradually gained the trust of the people and was elected as the head of residential group No. 5. For 2 consecutive years (2014, 2015), he was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Chairman of Dong Vinh Ward People's Committee.

At the conference summarizing 10 years of work on building and replicating advanced typical models in the movement of the whole people to protect national security in the period 2006 - 2016 organized by Vinh City People's Committee, he was one of the few people who returned to their hometown to be awarded a Certificate of Merit for his outstanding achievements in building models and grassroots self-management.

In a different situation, but Mr. Hoang Van Thang in Tho Tien hamlet, Quynh Tho commune (Quynh Luu) is also a typical example of overcoming difficulties after making mistakes. Growing up in a family with a fairly good standard of living compared to the commune's average, after finishing high school, Thang asked his parents to invest in opening a carpentry workshop at home.

Due to competition with other carpentry workshops in the village, in a fit of anger, Thang attacked people and destroyed property. For this act, Thang was arrested by the police and sentenced to 42 months in prison by the People's Court of Quynh Luu district for "intentionally causing injury" and "intentionally destroying property". During his prison sentence, thanks to his good performance in rehabilitation, Thang was considered for a sentence reduction twice and was released from prison 9 months early.

Mr. Hoang Van Thang at his restaurant in Son Hai commune (Quynh Luu).

Returning to his hometown, encouraged and facilitated by the government and organizations, Thang invested in opening a roller skating rink to serve the sports and entertainment needs of young people in coastal areas. Next, Thang borrowed capital to open a restaurant in Son Hai commune (Quynh Luu). After 2 years of establishment, Thang not only enriched himself but also created stable jobs for 4 local workers with an income of 2.5 - 5 million VND/month.

In addition, his wood workshop is creating jobs for 40 workers with a good income. In addition to working hours, Mr. Thang also actively responds to the movement of the whole people to protect national security, contributing to maintaining security and order in the locality. "It is the help of the government that has helped my family overcome all difficulties to have a stable life like today" - Hoang Van Thang affirmed.

Need cooperation

Mr. Duong and Mr. Thang are among more than 2,100 people who have completed their prison sentences since 2012 and have been assisted and given employment opportunities under Decree 80/2011/ND-CP of the Government on ensuring measures to reintegrate into the community for those who have completed their prison sentences. This is an activity of political, legal, social significance and profound humanity, in line with the moral traditions of our nation.

Currently, the number of people who have completed their prison sentences in Nghe An is very large (estimated at more than 16,000 people), while the province's socio-economic situation is still facing many difficulties, leading to many limitations and inadequacies in supporting capital sources and solving employment problems for people who have completed their prison sentences.

Most of those who have completed their prison sentences have low educational level and skills; some are influenced by the mentality of laziness, enjoyment, and lack of awareness of law enforcement... Besides, a part of the masses still has a discriminatory attitude towards those who have completed their prison sentences; coordination between functional sectors, government levels, and socio-political organizations is still lacking in some places and at some times.

As in the case of Nguyen Gia C. (born in 1961) in block 12, Cua Nam ward (Vinh city), who committed crimes 4 times, with a total of 12 years and 6 months in prison, the main reason being that he could not find a stable job to support himself and his family.

Mr. Dang Van Th. in My Son commune (Do Luong), who was just pardoned in June 2016, said that after half a year, he still could not find a stable job, the main reason being the discrimination of the people against a person who had been sentenced to life in prison for drug trafficking...

According to Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Duc Hai - Deputy Director of the Provincial Police, to more effectively help those who have completed their prison sentences to have stable jobs and gradually reintegrate into the community, in addition to the core and direct role of the police force, it is necessary to mobilize the combined strength of the entire political system and the joint efforts and contributions of the entire population.

To promote the participation of the whole society, this work needs to be combined and integrated into major movements of the Party, State and localities such as "All people unite to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas", "All people protect national security", the movement to eliminate hunger and reduce poverty, etc.

Article and photos:Minh Quan