A journey toward goodness

Updated: 10/05/2025 05:15:05

DTO - In life, sometimes due to the impulsiveness of youth, temptations, and momentary anger, many people get entangled in legal troubles. After serving their sentences in prison, their dream is to return to their families, have stable jobs, and reintegrate into the community. Therefore, Decision No. 22 dated August 17, 2023, of the Prime Minister on credit for people who have completed their prison sentences is a solid support system, helping reformed individuals to rise up.

The Thap Muoi District Branch of the Social Policy Bank disbursed 100 million VND to an individual borrower in accordance with Decision No. 22 of the Prime Minister.

Once an exemplary husband and father with a stable life, Lai Van Be (residing in My Quy commune, Thap Muoi district) was blinded by gambling, plunging into it like a moth to a flame. Only when he had to pay the price with a prison sentence did he regret and feel remorse for his mistakes.

After serving his prison sentence and returning home, he was determined to rebuild his life to regain the trust and affection of his family and neighbors. Despite being in his late 50s, with his hardworking and resilient nature, he didn't mind working late into the night and waking up early in the morning with his own hands. Seeing Mr. Be's diligence and efforts to improve his life, the local authorities always kindly visited and encouraged him. They learned that he worked in the fields and also did odd jobs plowing, but his equipment was old and frequently broke down. He hoped to receive some capital to upgrade to new equipment, increase his working hours, and improve his family's income.

Thanks to government policies, family guarantees, assistance from local authorities and the local police force, on April 26, 2024, the Thap Muoi District Branch of the Social Policy Bank disbursed 100 million VND to Mr. Lai Van Be. He was very pleased, as this is a source of strength that will help him recover after his setback, focus on his business, and reintegrate into the community.

Mr. Lai Van Be (far left) happily shared with local authorities about the success of his business after receiving support in the form of loans for community reintegration.

With some capital, he boldly bought another used tractor. Working diligently with his son and with the encouragement of his family, after deducting all expenses, he earned a profit of 300 million VND from the past three rice harvests. Mr. Be confided: “The local authorities consider me a household with a relatively stable and developing business. Now my family's life is stable.”

Inmate Dang Thanh Hieu, serving his sentence at the Provincial Police Detention Center, is striving for rehabilitation in order to be considered for a presidential pardon (on the occasion of the April 30th holiday). It is known that in 2022, due to violating traffic regulations resulting in one death, Hieu was sentenced to 3 years in prison by the People's Court of Sa Dec City. During his time in detention, Hieu constantly felt regret and remorse for his actions. After his inner turmoil, Hieu turned to books to reflect on his life. With the encouragement and guidance of police officers , Hieu gradually understood and actively reformed himself to return to his family soon. Inmate Dang Thanh Hieu was considered for a presidential pardon on the occasion of the April 30th holiday in 2025.

Decision No. 22 dated August 17, 2023, of the Prime Minister, stipulating credit for individuals who have completed their prison sentences, those granted amnesty, and those released on conditional pardons, is an important policy that provides opportunities for those who have made mistakes to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into the community. Accordingly, these individuals can borrow capital from the Social Policy Bank for production, business, and job creation. The maximum loan amount is 100 million VND per person, with a maximum loan term of 5 years. To be eligible for a loan, they must meet several conditions, including: having full civil capacity; having a feasible production and business plan; and having confirmation from the local authorities that they have completed their prison sentence, been granted amnesty, or released on conditional pardons. In addition, production and business establishments, including small and medium-sized enterprises, cooperatives, cooperative groups, and household businesses that employ workers who have completed their prison sentences, will be eligible for loans of up to 2 billion VND per project and no more than 100 million VND per worker at the production and business establishment.

Ms. Tran Thanh Truc, Deputy Director of the Social Policy Bank of Dong Thap province, said: “Since the implementation of Decision No. 22 of the Prime Minister, the Social Policy Bank has coordinated with the Provincial Police and local authorities to survey the loan needs of people who have completed their prison sentences and advised the Provincial People's Committee and the Vietnam Social Policy Bank to allocate funds promptly, meeting the loan needs of those who have completed their prison sentences. At the same time, we have approached, advised, and facilitated access to investment capital for production and business, job creation, and reintegration into the community for those who need it. Alongside the disbursement process, the Provincial Social Policy Bank has surveyed and inspected the use of loan capital. The inspection results show that the majority of people who have completed their prison sentences have used the loans for the intended purpose and have maximized the effectiveness of the capital.”

Since the implementation of Decision No. 22 of the Prime Minister, the Social Policy Bank of Dong Thap province has disbursed over 15 billion VND to 213 individuals who have completed their prison sentences, with 6 cases having repaid the loan. Access to loans under Decision No. 22 provides an opportunity for those granted amnesty to start businesses and build new lives. However, success requires effort, determination, and support from family and the community. After all their mistakes, families and society need to have an open mind and stand alongside those who have reformed so that they no longer feel alone on their path to redemption.

Thanh Thao

Source: https://baodongthap.vn/xa-hoi/hanh-trinh-huong-thien-131341.aspx