Family is a strong support system.
Waiting for Ms. Thao at the prison gate was her beloved father. As for her two sons, she wanted to surprise them on International Children's Day, June 1st: "I want to give them a surprise. I'm sure they'll be very happy that I'm back with them. From now on, the three of us will never be separated again."
Once an English teacher with a bright future ahead, Ms. Thao had a life many people dreamed of. She was knowledgeable, had a prestigious profession, and a small family with two well-behaved sons. But then, the whirlwind of temptation and wrong decisions pushed her life down a different path. Committing fraud and misappropriating property, she received a harsh sentence – 10 years in prison, starting in 2022.
On the day she stepped into Thanh Xuan Prison, facing the four walls of the cell, Thao was overwhelmed with remorse. The greatest pain wasn't the loss of her own freedom, but the separation from her family, especially her two young children who were at an age where they needed their mother's care and attention.
"What I wished for most while in prison was to get out of prison as soon as possible so I could change myself, start over, and be with my children as they grow up," Thao shared.
She thought her children would feel ashamed and insecure having a mother in prison, but they still showed her deep love and affection. Throughout her more than three years in prison, they visited her twice a year. "The moment they came to visit, I was truly moved and filled with regret. Initially, I thought they would feel ashamed and wouldn't want to see me. But when they visited, both of them showed understanding and empathy," Ms. Thao explained.
The children's compassion and understanding were the saving grace for the troubled mother's soul. Not only did her eldest son meet with her in person, but he also regularly wrote letters to her in prison to encourage her. These letters, filled with love and promises of academic excellence, became a miraculous source of strength, helping her overcome all difficulties and determined to reform so she could return to her children as soon as possible.
“My children’s good behavior and progress are my lifeline and the strongest motivation that drives me to get back on my feet and start over. The first thing I will do when I return is to hug them and tell them that I will try to change, and I will always be by their side for the rest of their lives to help them grow,” Thao said.
Reviving seeds of goodness
Ms. Thao's journey to rebuild her life would not have been possible without the guidance and education of the Thanh Xuan Prison's Board of Supervisors and Staff. The prison is not only a place for strict law enforcement, but has in fact become a special school – a place for rehabilitation and awakening the inherent goodness within each inmate.
Here, Ms. Thao and other inmates are guaranteed full access to state benefits and policies, from food and clothing to daily living arrangements. The prison staff have created an equal living, learning, and working environment, fostering rehabilitation and helping all inmates feel secure while serving their sentences. Ms. Thao participates in classes on law, civics education, and vocational training. The humane care, education, and guidance from the correctional officers have helped her recognize her mistakes. From there, she has overcome her guilt and rekindled her determination to improve herself and become an honest person.
In addition, rights such as medical care, visits from relatives, receiving and sending letters and gifts from loved ones, etc., are always fully implemented, helping to strengthen the bond between her and her family. "These humane policies have ignited in my heart a firm belief in the leniency of the Party and the State," Ms. Thao confided.
The door to freedom doesn't open naturally; it's the result of persistent effort. Thanks to her good conduct and excellent rehabilitation record, Ms. Thao has been included in the list of 202 inmates at Thanh Xuan Prison who will receive a presidential pardon in 2026.
“The President’s decision to grant amnesty is an act of clemency from the Party and the State. The humanitarian tradition of the Vietnamese people has always been tolerant and forgiving towards offenders who have truly reformed and made progress. This is the motivation that helps us to try harder in our studies, work, and rehabilitation, striving to become honest citizens who are useful to our families and society,” Ms. Thao said.
Before being granted amnesty, Thao and other inmates participated in classes with meaningful lectures on the rights and obligations of those who have completed their prison sentences and those who have been granted amnesty; career guidance, job search support, and access to business loans.
In addition, she was also introduced to the basic contents of the Law on Residence; the Law on Road Traffic Order and Safety and regulations on recidivism, dangerous recidivism, expungement of criminal records; the harmful effects of social evils; life skills; psychological counseling, and support with legal procedures...
Ms. Thao also hopes that state agencies, local authorities, and businesses will create favorable conditions and extend a helping hand so that those granted amnesty like her have the opportunity to find jobs, quickly stabilize their lives, and become good citizens.
The light of redemption awaits those who repent. The story of Ms. Ke Thi Thu Thao not only awakens people to the need to uphold the rule of law in their lives and work, but also instills in them a warm belief in the value of tolerance and the power of willpower to rebuild their lives.
Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/nhung-chia-se-xuc-dong-cua-nu-pham-nhan-vua-duoc-dac-xa-992605.html
![[Photo] Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presides over the thematic session on promoting science and technology development and innovation.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/1200x675/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2026/06/23/1782207872934_ndo_br_dsc-1724-jpg.webp)
