Inmates receiving the coaching.© UNODC
Mexico Metropolis, 20 September 2022 – At first, prisoners could also be elated upon their launch from behind bars. Lastly, they’re free to earn a dwelling, socialize with associates, or take pleasure in a household meal once more.
In actuality, nonetheless, former prisoners face numerous challenges after they full their sentences. Discrimination, stigmatization, and a scarcity of employment expertise can hinder their full social reintegration and even contribute to some committing contemporary crimes (i.e., recidivism).
Time spent in jail can – and will – be used to assist prisoners purchase instruments and expertise that permit them to return as beneficial members of their communities. There’s proof that jail facilities that promote labor programmes foster larger social solidarity and scale back felony recidivism. Certainly, decreasing recidivism leads to safer societies, lessens the burden on the felony justice system, and reduces prices for taxpayers.
With this in thoughts, the United Nations Workplace on Medicine and Crime (UNODC) is collaborating with the Mexico Metropolis authorities and the personal sector to supply coaching programs inside prisons to assist inmates safe employment as soon as they’ve served their time.
In July 2022, UNODC supplied a coaching and certification workshop to inmates and custodians at a penitentiary middle in Mexico Metropolis to indicate that social reintegration and inexperienced jobs can go hand in hand. 25 workshop members gained primary expertise and understanding concerning the care of water and the social, financial, and environmental advantages of rainwater harvesting programs for city dwelling environments.
As a part of the coaching, a harvesting system was put in contained in the jail. The collected rainwater will probably be used for cleansing functions in some dorms, whereas decreasing the quantity of water wasted. The members obtained certification as certified installers, which improves their employability upon their launch.
“I had by no means attended a coaching course like this earlier than, and I noticed I’ve extra expertise than I assumed,” stated one beneficiary of the coaching. “The workshops additionally permit us to flee from the routine, hold our minds busy, and get to know extra folks.”
One other participant stated: “Studying methods to set up these water programs is a brand new method of incomes a dwelling and likewise rising as an individual. Now I can show that I’ve expertise and {qualifications} on this area after I go in search of jobs sooner or later.”
UNODC and its companions will perform extra environmentally-responsible actions that promote social reintegration, similar to workshops for girls prisoners in Mexico Metropolis on the set up of photo voltaic panels.
All these experiences are being compiled in a handbook of excellent practices that may function a reference for social reintegration initiatives all through Latin America.
Additional info
The UNODC venture “Again to the group” focuses on coaching and job alternatives for folks disadvantaged of their liberty. This initiative supplies inmates with instruments that facilitate reintegration into society and scale back the chance of recidivism. On the identical time, this venture tackles the biases and prejudices skilled by this group and expands their help networks. To be taught extra, click on right here.
