With the concern of various levels and sectors, as well as the authorities in recent times, the reintegration work in the community in the province has achieved positive results. Through many measures and methods, including the attention, encouragement, and sharing from the whole society, those who have made mistakes have strived to overcome their complexes, rebuild their lives, and rise in life.
Equipping prisoners with legal knowledge before completing their prison sentences
Emphasizing the work of legal propaganda
Implementing Decree No. 49/2020/ND-CP of the Government regulating the enforcement of the Criminal Judgment Execution Law on community reintegration, in recent times, the Provincial People's Committee has directed the Provincial Police to coordinate with relevant agencies and units to implement a training program for prisoners as a preparation step, equipping them with essential knowledge to apply upon completing their prison sentences. Especially, two months before completing their prison sentence, inmates are provided with updates on current affairs, policies, laws, information about the socio-economic situation, the labor market, life skills education, essential knowledge, and support with legal procedures. Additionally, the provincial police coordinate with agencies, units, and localities to effectively carry out the work of receiving, managing, educating, and assisting individuals who have completed their prison sentences to reintegrate into the community.
In addition, the provincial police have coordinated with media agencies to disseminate the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws, and directives related to enhancing measures to ensure community reintegration and create jobs for individuals after serving their prison sentences. In this, Binh Duong Newspaper has published nearly 800 news articles, photos, and video clips; the provincial electronic information portal and the broadcasting system have implemented nearly 1,000 news items, articles, reports, and stories through the news program and various topics on public participation in national security protection, public order, and urban lifestyle.
The Steering Committee of the 6+1 model of the People's Committee of Dong Hoa Ward (Di An city) visited and encouraged those who have completed their prison sentences and returned to the local community. Photo: Ngoc Ha
Practical models and activities
Mrs. Huynh Thi Thuy Phuong, Vice President of the Women's Union of the province, stated that based on the coordination program between the Women's Union and the Provincial Police regarding "Strengthening measures to ensure community reintegration for individuals who have completed their prison sentences" and the propaganda work for female prisoners and those serving their sentences. The provincial association has directed all levels of the association to build models, clubs, organizations, and groups to attract and gather members to participate in legal propaganda activities. To date, the association has 305 models with over 4,800 members promoting legal awareness on domestic violence prevention, crime prevention and social evils.
Mrs. Huynh Thi Thuy Phuong emphasized that currently, the communication to those who have erred is receiving attention and collaborative efforts from various sectors. Specifically, every year, the provincial Women's Union cooperates with the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs to organize a program for the prevention and response to violence for 270 women in Thuan An city and Di An city with the aim of empowering women and girls to achieve gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence. This program helps women and children have a healthy, safe, and friendly living environment, contributing to raising awareness towards the goal of building a cultural and civilized lifestyle. Concurrently, the provincial Women's Union also implements a cooperation program with the provincial Police Women's Committee to educate and promote legal awareness for offenders of youth age and inmates reintegrating into the community from 2021 to 2026 at An Phước Detention Center with the themes of "Never give up," "Accompanying the dream of reform," "Living beautifully, living meaningfully, turning the dream of reform into reality," and "The journey of trust" to hundreds of inmates. For the work of helping individuals reintegrate into the community, the Women's Union of the province has assisted 634 offenders who have reformed, with a total aid amount of over 7 billion VND through practical forms such as providing loans, job introductions, supporting bicycles for the children of the offenders, assisting with medical treatment, and repairing charity housing.
From 2020 to 2023, the province received 3,519 individuals who completed their prison sentences and returned to their localities; the number of individuals who completed their prison sentences and received guidance on obtaining citizenship cards is 2,648; guidance and consultation for 871 individuals to complete the procedures for expunging their criminal records; registration procedures were completed for 1,180 individuals. In addition, the Department of Civil Judgment Execution of the province reviews and compiles records to request the court to consider exempting or reducing the civil judgment execution obligations for individuals who have completed their prison sentences when they meet the necessary conditions. From 2020 to 2023, the total number of cases considered for exemption or reduction of civil judgment execution obligations is 300, amounting to over 1 billion VND.
Reported by Phuong Quynh – Thanh Tuyen – Translated by Vi Bao
