Credit support for reformed offenders

Loan capital under Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister on credit for people who have completed their prison sentences (Decision 22) has provided opportunities for those who have made mistakes to develop production, create jobs, and firmly move towards reintegration into the community. In Can Tho City, after more than two years of implementation, this policy credit has truly become a lifeline, giving motivation to many people to improve their lives and achieve stability.

Transforming lives through policy-based funding.

In order to help former prisoners reintegrate into the community upon returning to their localities, the Can Tho City branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) is coordinating with the city's police force to implement a credit policy for former prisoners to help them overcome feelings of shame about their past mistakes and continue to strive for a better life.

Officials from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies and the Cai Rang ward visited Mr. H's dried seafood production facility.

The case of Mr. NPH (residing in Cai Rang ward, Can Tho city) is an example. He was previously imprisoned for a reckless act in his youth, involving fighting with friends. Upon his release, Mr. H was determined to make amends for his past mistakes. Initially, he tried growing vegetables, but it was unsuccessful. He then switched to raising turtles, but the situation didn't improve due to a lack of capital and technical expertise. Later, he researched and learned how to dry basa fish breasts, but lacked the capital to purchase the necessary equipment. At this point, Mr. H was reviewed and approved for a loan under Decision 22 at the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP).

With a loan of 40 million VND, Mr. H invested in a drying oven and had working capital to buy raw materials for drying basa fish breasts. To date, his production facility has been operating stably, generating an income of over 10 million VND per month. Mr. H shared: “I am very happy to have received preferential loans from the Social Policy Bank at a time when my family was struggling and didn't know where else to turn. The government has created opportunities for me to rise up and rebuild my life. I will definitely develop my family's economy and will try my best to repay the loan on time.”

Ms. Vo Thi Song Lanh, Head of the Savings and Loan Group in Area 2 - Ba Lang, Cai Rang Ward, said: “When H first returned, she was hesitant to interact with the local authorities. When the police provided the list, and learned that H was eligible for a loan from the Social Policy Bank, local associations and organizations met with her family to inform them about this funding source. Thanks to her diligence in business, H has used the loan from the Social Policy Bank effectively. Even more valuable is that H has gradually gained confidence and found the right path to rebuild her life.”

Mr. BKL's family, residing in Thoi An Dong ward, Can Tho city, has a son who previously served a prison sentence. Upon his son's return, Mr. L was constantly concerned about finding a livelihood for him so he could have a job and not feel ashamed in the community. Later, Mr. L was introduced by the local authorities to a preferential credit program.

“My family borrowed 50 million VND from the Social Policy Bank. With the money, my son and I focused on renovating our overgrown garden, investing in seedlings to plant durian and Thai jackfruit trees to make the garden more economically valuable. Now, the trees are starting to bear fruit abundantly, bringing in a stable income. Not only that, my son has also opened a small barbershop to earn extra daily income. For my family, this is truly a very useful and kind source of capital,” Mr. L said emotionally.

Effectiveness comes from close collaboration and coordination.

According to the Can Tho City branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), the loan program under Decision 22 has been effective thanks to the proactive efforts of the police and VBSP from the moment the policy came into effect. The commune-level police force played a core role in reviewing, compiling lists, and verifying the residency information and loan eligibility of eligible individuals, contributing to ensuring that funds were disbursed to the right recipients in a transparent and timely manner; and actively integrating the dissemination of credit policies into community reintegration education activities. This helped former prisoners confidently access state support resources, including policy-based credit funds.

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Quoc, Deputy Head of the Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department (PC10), Can Tho City Police, said: “The unit has organized 28 training courses on community reintegration for commune-level People's Committee officials and police officers, with more than 5,000 participants. In particular, the Department has intensified its efforts in disseminating legal information, providing job counseling, and assisting with loans for those eligible for community reintegration, contributing to guiding and encouraging the community to participate in educating, assisting, and eliminating prejudice and discrimination against those who have completed their prison sentences.”

Mr. Lang Chanh Hue Thao, Director of the Can Tho City Branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), affirmed: “The coordination between the VBSP and the police force is not just a simple credit operation, but also a solution with profound social significance, contributing to supporting those who have made mistakes to have a chance to rebuild their lives, while maintaining security and order in the locality. The Can Tho City Branch of the VBSP will continue to closely coordinate with the police to effectively implement this policy, with the spirit of ensuring that no eligible person in need of loans is unable to access social policy credit.”

To date, the total capital of the loan program under Decision 22 in the city has reached 39.5 billion VND (23.5 billion VND from the central government and 16 billion VND from the city budget entrusted through the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies). From this capital, the Can Tho branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies has coordinated the review and disbursement of loans to 632 individuals who have completed their prison sentences, enabling them to invest in production, business, and create stable jobs.

Text and photos: PHI YEN

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/diem-tua-tin-dung-cho-nguoi-hoan-luong-a205505.html