Dream of return

(Baonghean) - Having become an annual activity, the cultural and artistic exchange program "Dream of Return" organized by the Ministry of Public Security in coordination with the Provincial Women's Union at Prison No. 6 has become a forum to convey good messages from those who have made mistakes, thereby lighting up the dream of reformation...

Wearing a prisoner's uniform, Ms. Vo Thi Kieu Thanh (born in 1982) was invited to the stage as a representative of the prisoners with excellent reform achievements in 2014 of Sub-camp 3, Prison No. 6. Born and raised in Block 4, Le Loi Ward (Vinh City), which is considered a "hot spot" for social evils, Thanh soon got into trouble with the law for drug trafficking. At the end of 2008, Thanh was arrested, prosecuted and sentenced to 13 years in prison for "Illegal drug trafficking". To date, Thanh has served nearly half of her sentence.

That was enough for this woman to realize her mistakes and be determined to start her life over. Thanh confided: “When I first entered the camp, I was shocked, lost my balance, and felt helpless. Luckily, there were officers who encouraged and guided me, otherwise I would have given up everything.” Looking into Thanh’s teary eyes, we understood her burning desire to return: “I just hope that when I return, everyone will accept me, help me, and I will find a stable job to make a living. I also hope that my parents and daughter will forgive me and be a solid support to help me integrate and become a useful citizen.”

Members in the exchange session "Dream of Returning Home".

The stage of the exchange program seemed to fall when female prisoner Vi Thi Hien took the microphone and wiped her eyes. With a typical Thai ethnic accent, Hien said: I was born in Na Nhi village, Muong Noc commune, Que Phong district. My family was very poor, Hien got married early and gave birth to 3 children in 2002, 2004 and 2005. When Hien was busy raising her children in the fields, the drug storm hit, Hien's husband was involved in a white death and was arrested. Hien filed for divorce, raising 3 young children and her old mother alone. In Hien's village, back then, buying and selling drugs was as easy as buying candy. Unable to resist the temptation of money, Hien also fell into this sinful path. She was arrested in 2012 and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

During the 2 and a half years in prison, the children were taken care of by their grandmother. More than a month ago, the grandmother brought her 3 children to visit. Meeting in prison, looking at the dark children, Hien could not say anything. She could only hold each child's hand, telling them to be good, try to study hard and wait for their mother to come back. Absolutely do not fall into the same trap as their parents. She said that although the road ahead is still very long, she will actively work and learn a trade to return soon. "Every night I tell myself that when I return, I will try to make up for my duty as a mother that I have lost during this time. But I don't know if my family and relatives will forgive me or sympathize with the mistakes I have made?", Hien's confession made many female prisoners below ponder, many could not hold back their tears...

Currently, Prison No. 6 (Ministry of Public Security) has over 4,000 prisoners serving their sentences. In recent years, Prison No. 6 has regularly held cultural and artistic exchange programs to arouse in prisoners the determination and efforts to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, and gradually rebuild their lives. Each program targets a specific group of prisoners. If in 2013, the program "Lighting up the dream of rehabilitation" was co-organized by the Youth Union of Nghe An province, targeting young prisoners, then "Dream of Return" is targeting female prisoners.

At the exchange, Ms. Nguyen Thi Tuyet, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union affirmed: This is an opportunity for mothers, wives, and children who have made mistakes to share their thoughts and deep feelings in their hearts with their beloved family members and to express their gratitude to those who have put aside prejudices and discrimination, and are willing to extend a helping hand and support them on the path to rehabilitation. This is also considered a bridge between the Vietnam Women's Union, local police forces and authorities at all levels as well as families and communities to help prisoners return to a stable life soon, prevent recidivism; suggest specific ways for female prisoners to approach the community, proactively seek out the organization, seek help from authorities at all levels on the difficult path when their prison terms expire...

Colonel Nguyen Viet Hoan, Warden of Prison No. 6, who has spent more than 20 years working in prisoner rehabilitation, confided that everyone in life has dreams and ambitions. When we have dreams, we will have a goal to strive for. For those who are unfortunate enough to fall into the law and be imprisoned, their biggest dream is to soon reunite with their families and relatives and integrate into society. Their path back to their families and communities will be closer if they know how to strive to work hard and reform well to enjoy the leniency of the Party and the State. Prisoners really need to receive tolerance and help from the community. “Exchange programs like “Dream of Return” need to be expanded to bring society a more comprehensive view, understanding and sympathy for mistakes, eliminate prejudices, join hands to help prisoners complete their sentences, reintegrate into the community soon, and become useful citizens to society” - Colonel Hoan confided.

Article and photos:Minh Quan