The path to righteousness

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - The reality is that those who have completed their prison sentences and returned to their communities often face anxiety, feelings of shame, and inferiority due to the discriminatory gaze of the community. This barrier makes the path back to justice difficult and easily pushes them back to their wrongdoings. Understanding and empathizing, the government, the business community, and law enforcement agencies have stood by and shared with those with troubled pasts, giving them another chance to rebuild their lives.

Loans from the Thọ Xuân Social Policy Bank for those who have completed their prison sentences have helped Mr. Nguyễn Văn Toàn, from Thọ Long commune, develop his livestock farming.

Without prior introduction, I wouldn't have guessed that Trinh Van Loi, born in 1969 in Nga Thang commune, had been imprisoned twice. Because sitting before me was a prime example of a successful farmer in the commune, earning 300-400 million VND per year.

Recalling the past, his voice filled with sadness, Mr. Loi said: “Due to a lack of understanding, I committed crimes twice and paid the price with months in prison. After serving both sentences (the last time I was released in 2013), I returned to reintegrate into the community. In my hometown at that time, going to prison once was already a big deal, let alone twice, so I couldn't avoid prejudice and gossip. In that situation, I was always supported and encouraged by my family, the government, the police force, and especially my wife, who helped me to have the determination to rebuild my life.”

According to Mr. Loi, he initially worked as a tricycle driver, then in tofu production. After gaining access to business loans for former offenders and employment-generating loans from the Social Policy Bank, he switched to raising cattle and pigs. At one point, his family raised up to 100 pigs. From 2017 to the present, he has abandoned livestock farming and focused on crop cultivation. With the support of the commune, he leased land from households in the commune that lacked the resources to grow rice and other crops, cultivating 5.7 acres of rice, 7 acres of peanuts, and 2-3 hectares of potatoes during the winter season. To support his family's production and that of his neighbors, he invested in two plows and harrows and one rice harvester, costing over 1 billion VND. This money was raised from various sources, including family savings, business loans for former offenders, and loans from the Social Policy Bank. With this economic model, the family's current income after deducting expenses is between 300 and 400 million VND per year.

After serving nearly 7 years in prison at Prison No. 5, Ministry of Public Security , in April 2019, Mr. Nguyen Van Toan from Tho Long commune returned to reunite with his family. In the first few days of his reintegration into society, he was afraid to leave the house. However, with the love, encouragement, and support of his wife, he gradually overcame his feelings of shame. After many nights of reflection, he discussed with his wife the idea of ​​buying piglets to raise, and then selling the piglets to those in need. With his wife's support, and with the guarantee of the commune authorities and the police force, he accessed a loan of 100 million VND from the Tho Xuan Social Bank. This capital helped him invest in building barns and developing his pig farming. After 2 years, his family's pig herd consistently maintained a number of 50 pigs (30 piglets and 20 market pigs). Each year, they sell 2-3 tons of piglets and over 6 tons of market pigs, bringing the family hundreds of millions of VND in profit.

Toan shared: “Past mistakes are a painful lesson that I've learned and used to motivate me to strive for success in the future. The care and support of my family, the government, and the police force have helped me gain confidence and take firm steps to change my life.”

Thanh Hoa province currently has approximately 4,324 people who have completed their prison sentences, of which over 3,900 are residing in various localities. To facilitate their rehabilitation and help them establish stable lives, jobs, and incomes, local Party committees, authorities, departments, organizations, the business community, and law enforcement agencies have joined forces to support and assist hundreds of individuals in finding employment and stabilizing their lives. In particular, implementing Decision No. 22/2023/QD-TTg dated August 17, 2023, of the Prime Minister on policy credit for people who have completed their prison sentences and economic development capital, the Social Policy Bank in the province has disbursed loans to 707 people, with a total outstanding debt of 65.6 billion VND as of July 31, 2025... This attention serves as a support and a bridge, helping those who have completed their prison sentences to have more motivation and take firm steps on their path to rehabilitation.

Text and photos: Minh Ly

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/duong-ve-neo-thien-259090.htm