Rekindle hope through second chances.

In the sweltering heat of summer, we arrived in Quang Ninh to learn about the rehabilitation journeys of those who had once made mistakes…

For them, the journey of breaking away from the past has perhaps never been easy due to societal prejudices, personal insecurities, and difficulties in making a living… However, with the support of the Quang Ninh Provincial Police force, the Party committee, and local authorities, many have strived to rise above their circumstances and become useful members of society.

Break away from the past, look towards the future.

At midday, with temperatures reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius and the sun scorching, in the spacious and airy grounds, Mr. Pham Van Tam (born in 1984, residing in Quang Phong 8 village, Quang Ha commune, Quang Ninh province) diligently cleaned the chicken coop area. Thanks to a consistently clean food and water supply and adherence to a strict breeding process, his flock of chickens remains healthy… Looking at the man swiftly performing these tasks, no one would think that he once made a mistake that cost him his life with a 7-year prison sentence for the crime of "Organizing the illegal use of narcotics."

Police officers in Uong Bi ward are processing applications for identity cards for individuals who have completed their prison sentences and are reintegrating into the community.

In 2020, Mr. Tam was released from prison, and like many who have made mistakes in the past, he faced alienation and discrimination from some people around him. Then came the challenge of finding a livelihood… In his most desperate moments, officers from the Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department of Quang Ninh Province, in coordination with the local police, supported him. In 2023, Mr. Tam received a loan of 80 million VND… After securing the capital, he built pig and chicken pens; then he bought saplings to plant on his family's land of about 2 hectares. Thanks to his hard work, the farm now provides a stable income of about 300 million VND per year, helping him develop his economy .

For over seven years since its establishment and operation, the "Friends Helping Friends" Club has been a clear example of community reintegration efforts in Quang Ninh. Over this long period, the story of the rehabilitation of Mr. Pham Tat Nghia (born in 1975, residing in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh), the Club's Chairman, and its members, is a clear testament to the correct approach. Currently, the Club not only provides guidance but also helps those who have made mistakes find a path forward in their lives.

Speaking about his story, Mr. Pham Tat Nghia (born in 1975, in Cam Pha, Quang Ninh) shared that, in his youth, he was reckless and thoughtless, paying the price with two sentences for illegally trafficking narcotics… After serving his prison sentence and returning to his hometown, he was determined to rebuild his life.

Through his own efforts, the support of his family and various organizations, especially the police force, he found his life's path. In 2016, the "Helping Each Other" Club was established, and he joined it. Nghia has now opened a scrap metal collection and trading workshop and a stone processing workshop, creating jobs for 18 club members and providing them with stable livelihoods.

Currently, Quang Ninh province is managing 3,710 people who have completed their prison sentences but have not yet had their criminal records expunged, of which 1,024 have found stable employment. Over the past period, the work of receiving and managing those granted amnesty or released from prison and returning to their local communities has been seriously implemented by agencies, organizations, social groups, and local authorities. This includes creating management files, monitoring, assigning supervisors, and creating all conditions to help them reintegrate into the community as soon as possible.

The Quang Ninh Provincial Police have closely directed local police forces in advising Party committees and authorities, and coordinating with commune police forces to gather information and lists of individuals serving prison sentences in communes, wards, and special zones. This is to strengthen management measures, as well as actively disseminate and educate the public on the law, promptly detect and prevent any violations by individuals returning to their localities after serving their prison sentences.

Supporting reformed offenders in reintegrating into the community.

Playing a key role in receiving, managing, educating, and assisting former prisoners, the Uong Bi Ward Police have actively advised and coordinated with various departments and organizations to effectively implement policies on loans and job creation for those reintegrating into the community. This approach not only helps former offenders stabilize their lives but also plays a crucial role in crime prevention and ensuring security and order in the locality.

Uong Bi Ward organized a conference and discussion on community reintegration work.

Thanh Son 3 neighborhood - Uong Bi ward organized a conference to discuss and exchange ideas on supporting the rehabilitation of offenders.

The police force of Uong Bi ward has regularly reviewed and monitored the situation, proactively meeting with and understanding the circumstances of each individual to implement appropriate management, education, and support measures. At the same time, they have coordinated with local organizations, businesses, and production facilities to introduce job opportunities and create conditions to help them stabilize their lives.

Local organizations, businesses, and production facilities provided advice and job placement services for Mr. NCL, a former convict who had completed his prison sentence and was reintegrating into the community.

For example, Mr. VHQ, upon conditional early release, still harbored feelings of apprehension and lack of confidence. However, with the care and support of his family, local authorities, and the local police force, he gradually changed his mindset, actively worked, and stabilized his life. Currently, he has become a construction foreman, undertaking large and small projects in the area, creating jobs for 7 to 10 former prisoners returning to the community. With an income of 8 to 10 million VND per month, he helps them stabilize their lives and prevent recidivism.

In an interview with us, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thai Binh, Head of the Criminal Enforcement and Judicial Support Police Department of Quang Ninh Provincial Police, and Permanent Deputy Head of the Criminal Enforcement Agency, stated: As soon as those granted amnesty return to their localities, the commune-level police will proactively receive them, assess their situation, and guide them through the necessary residency procedures. They will also advise the commune-level People's Committee to assign political and social organizations and individuals to participate in managing, educating, and assisting those granted amnesty to reintegrate into the community.

Regarding the issuance of identity cards, the Quang Ninh Provincial Police have reviewed and received applications for citizen identity cards for 100% of inmates recommended for amnesty; and organized the direct handover of identity cards at the ceremony announcing the amnesty decision so that those granted amnesty have complete personal documents, facilitating their search for employment, civil transactions, and stable lives after returning to their localities. The biggest difficulty currently is that some individuals still feel ashamed, have difficulty finding employment, and face difficult family economic conditions; some young individuals have limited legal awareness, so the risk of recidivism remains if they are not managed, educated, and supported in a timely manner.

Over the past period, the Quang Ninh Provincial Police have been closely coordinating with the Social Policy Bank, departments, agencies, organizations, and businesses to provide career counseling, job placement, and loan support for those who have completed their prison sentences.

In 2025, the commune-level police compiled a list of loan applications for 73 cases with a total amount of over 6.41 billion VND; of which, 59 cases were disbursed with approximately 5.56 billion VND. Since its implementation, the entire province has provided loan support to 210 cases with a total amount of over 19.09 billion VND.

In addition, the police force regularly coordinates with businesses and production and trading establishments to promote and encourage the employment of reformed offenders; and at the same time, supports the maintenance of security and order so that businesses can confidently employ them.

According to the Quang Ninh Provincial Police, to achieve more sustainable effectiveness in community reintegration, it is necessary to continue improving mechanisms for vocational training, loan access, and job placement; and to strengthen coordination between families, local authorities, social organizations, and businesses in managing, educating, and assisting reformed offenders.

Currently, the entire province is maintaining and improving 21 community reintegration models in key areas with the participation of the government, departments, mass organizations, and police forces to provide substantial support for those who have completed their prison sentences.

Xuan Mai

Source: https://cand.vn/thap-len-niem-tin-tu-nhung-co-hoi-thu-hai-post812115.html