Open the way for those who make mistakes

Stand up after falling

Following the commune officials, we visited the family of Pay Thi Huyen in Na Bon village, Yen Na commune (Tuong Duong). Eight years ago, Huyen assisted a human trafficker and was sentenced to 30 months in prison for “Human trafficking”. In September 2015, thanks to her good behavior, Huyen was released.amnestyreleased from prison early and returned to the locality.

Recalling that time, Ms. Huyen said that when she heard the news that she was pardoned, she was very happy, but as the day of her return approached, she wondered where she would start again after being released from prison to stabilize her life, as well as how to face her brothers, relatives, and villagers...

The Do Luong District Youth Union and the volunteer group “Do Luong - sharing love” presented a flock of chickens to Mr. Pham Van Thanh’s family in Hamlet 3, Nam Son Commune (Do Luong). Photo: PV

With an inferiority complex, at first she did not dare to meet people, but thanks to the encouragement and help of the local government, she actively participated in social activities and increased production.

According to Ms. Huyen, in addition to the encouragement from her family, she received timely support from the local government, organizations and unions. Specifically, at that time, she was given a loan of 50 million VND and was guided by the commune's agricultural staff to implement a chicken farming model. Up to now, the total herd has always maintained over 3,000 chickens, not to mention that she also raises pigs, cows... each year, earning an income of approximately 100 million VND.

Similar to Ms. Huyen, Mr. Pham Van Thanh in Hamlet 3, Nam Son Commune (Do Luong) was imprisoned for 15 years for illegally transporting drugs, but thanks to his good reformation awareness, after 10 years of serving his sentence, Mr. Thanh was granted amnesty. Returning to his hometown in 2014 when he was older, Mr. Thanh was initially very shy about interacting with people around him, but thanks to the local government, organizations, and unions organizing meetings, exchanges, and neighbors coming and going, he became somewhat more open and took care of his business.

Earlier this year, with the family's efforts and additional loans, the local government supported him with machinery to level the ground, sand, gravel, etc. He completed a solid house worth over 300 million VND. The District Youth Union and the volunteer group "Do Luong - Sharing Love" also donated a flock of 50 chickens, each weighing 0.7-0.8 kg, which now give eggs every day.

Mr. Thanh said that his health is not good anymore after a stroke, so he mainly does farming and grows cassava. Now he has a flock of chickens, so he will try to raise them to develop more and more, considering this as his main source of income. "If I integrate well, obey the laws and regulations of the locality, no one will abandon me," Mr. Thanh said.

Cultural, artistic and sports activities at Prison No. 3 and Prison No. 6 (Ministry of Public Security). Photo: D.C.

Community Support

It can be seen that, on the path of rehabilitation of those who have been pardoned, besides their own will and determination, the care of the village, neighborhood, and government is always the most miraculous medicine to help them overcome their inferiority complex and thereby rise up.

That is why, over the years, dozens of community reintegration models have been built by localities. Typical models include the model of "Skillful mass mobilization in community reintegration" in Thai Hoa town; "Joining hands to help people who have made mistakes" in Nghi Thu ward (Cua Lo town); "Friendly arms club" of the Women's Union of Vinh Tan ward (Vinh city); "Promoting the combined strength of the political system, mobilizing all classes of people and businesses to participate in management, education, and helping people reintegrate into the community" in Hung Xa commune (Hung Nguyen), Nam Son commune (Do Luong)...

Female prisoners actively participate in vocational training at Prison Station No. 6. Photo: D.C.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tat Hung - Head of the group "Do Luong - sharing love": When they made a mistake, they had to pay the price with months of detention and re-education, when they returned they were like any other normal person. But to be determined to stand up after falling is not something that everyone can do, so, in addition to their efforts, the government, departments, branches, and local organizations must regularly care, help, and encourage them to be effective.

In many localities that have successfully implemented models, the model of "Skillful mass mobilization in community reintegration" in Thai Hoa Town has been replicated nationwide by the Ministry of Public Security. Statistics show that by the beginning of this year, 260 people who were granted amnesty nationwide have returned to reintegrate into the local community. The Party Committee and leaders of the Town Police, together with sending officers to the locality to meet directly with the subjects, have advised the Town Party Committee and the Town People's Committee to lead and direct the entire political system to take action.

With the implementation of many synchronous and drastic solutions, from creating favorable conditions for loans with preferential interest rates to develop the economy, organizing vocational training, mobilizing agencies, enterprises, and business households in the area to create favorable conditions for receiving subjects to work... Therefore, the average number of progressive subjects reintegrating into the community increased by 10 - 15%, with no recidivism rate.

Prisoners at the Provincial Police Detention Center and Prison No. 3 participate in reading and displaying books. Photo: D.C.

Recently, based on Decision No. 1161/2021/QD-CTN dated June 30, 2021 of the President on amnesty in 2021, the Provincial People's Committee also issued Plan No. 401/KH-UBND on "Implementing amnesty work in 2021". Accordingly, responsibilities are clearly assigned to departments, branches and localities. Specifically, the Department of Labor - Invalids and Social Affairs is assigned to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies and social organizations to effectively implement Decree No. 49/2020/ND-CP dated April 17, 2020 of the Government detailing the implementation of the Law on Enforcement of Criminal Judgments on community reintegration; pay attention to receiving and helping amnestied people in especially difficult circumstances to borrow capital, create jobs, stabilize their lives, and integrate into the community...

On the side of the Provincial Police, together with reviewing, making records, and lists of prisoners who meet the conditions and standards for amnesty in accordance with the President's Decision; Instructions of the Amnesty Advisory Council and the Plan of the Ministry of Public Security. Proactively grasp the number, characteristics, and situation of amnestied people in the locality to have a plan to receive, manage, educate, and help effectively...

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Duy Nguyen - Deputy WardenProvincial Police Detention CenterThe detention camp has proposed 6 prisoners who meet the criteria for special pardon on the occasion of National Day, September 2 this year. Combining the number of prisoners whose sentences are being reduced and prisoners whose sentences are about to end in August and September 2021, the camp has organized a community reintegration class for 30 prisoners./.