On August 17, 2023, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính signed Decision 22/2023/QĐ-TTg (referred to as Decision 22), officially launching a credit policy for individuals who have completed their prison sentences and those granted amnesty. The policy came into effect on October 10, 2023.
Under this decision, individuals who return to their localities within five years after completing their sentences are eligible to borrow up to 4 million VND per month from the Social Policy Bank for vocational training, or up to 100 million VND for production and business activities to create jobs. Enterprises can borrow up to 2 billion VND per project and no more than 100 million VND per laborer employed at their facilities.
The loan term for both individuals and businesses employing former prisoners is ten years, with interest rates equivalent to those for poor households.
Colonel Nguyễn Hữu Thịnh, Head of the Department of Penal Enforcement and Judicial Support of Nghệ An Province’s Public Security Bureau, shared: “Decision 22 reflects the consistent, humane, compassionate, and lenient policies of our Party and State towards those who have made mistakes, ensuring that ‘no one is left behind.'”
At the end of 2019, Nguyễn Văn Đ. (born in 1984, residing in Nghi Lâm Commune, Nghi Lộc District, Nghệ An) completed his 17-year sentence for murder early and returned home. Few would have imagined that this man, who walked out of prison with nothing, would become a business owner, now possessing an excavator worth nearly 700 million VND, earning a monthly income of 20 million VND.
“After my release, contrary to my initial fears, I was encouraged and supported by the local police and authorities, who helped me find work. At the end of 2023, I learned about the credit program under Decision 22 and applied for a loan of 100 million VND. With my savings from two years of work and additional loans from outside sources, I bought this excavator to start my own business. I got married last year and am planning to build a new house,” Đ. shared.
In reality, not many former prisoners are as fortunate as Đ. Those returning from prison often face challenges reintegrating into society, including social stigma, leading to feelings of inferiority and isolation. Additionally, they struggle to find employment to support themselves and their families.
Lack of employment and income is a significant factor contributing to recidivism. Therefore, over the years, alongside continuous encouragement, Nghệ An’s Public Security Bureau has focused on helping former prisoners secure jobs and income to stabilize their lives.
However, the efforts of law enforcement agencies and local governments have yet to fully meet the needs of areas like Nghệ An, where many former prisoners return annually.
Providing livelihood opportunities for former prisoners plays a crucial role in helping them stand on their own feet upon reintegration into society. Thus, Decision 22 acts as a “breath of fresh air,” opening doors for those seeking redemption.
What makes it even more remarkable is the clear delineation of responsibilities among organizations and individuals involved in implementing this credit program, ensuring that former prisoners are not alone on their journey toward reform.
Shortly after the Ministry of Public Security issued detailed guidelines, Nghệ An’s Public Security Bureau quickly rolled out its action plan. Alongside proactively issuing directives to relevant units and district-level public security offices, the bureau also advised the provincial People’s Committee to issue a plan directing various departments, sectors, mass organizations, and local authorities to implement the policy.
Extensive communication campaigns about this special credit policy have been carried out by Nghệ An’s Public Security Bureau through various means tailored to different regions and audiences, fostering a strong shift in awareness and responsibility among all levels of government, sectors, social organizations, and the public regarding the Party and State’s policies on credit for former prisoners.
Captain Trương Xuân Luân, Deputy Head of the Penal Enforcement and Judicial Support Team of Nghi Lộc District’s Public Security Office (Nghệ An), stated that upon receiving guidance from the provincial public security office, his unit developed a detailed plan and sent it to commune-level police stations for implementation. The district police collaborated with commune-level police to organize meetings inviting eligible candidates to participate.
“This unprecedented policy has brought joy to borrowers but also skepticism from some related organizations and individuals. Besides providing specific information about the loan program, we addressed all concerns raised by former prisoners, local authorities, and bank representatives, including Savings and Loan Groups in villages.
Most importantly, we emphasized that helping former offenders rebuild their lives requires not only their determination but also collective efforts from all levels of government, sectors, localities, organizations, and their families,” Captain Luân explained.
After one year of implementing Decision 22, 22 former prisoners in Nghi Lộc District were approved for loans totaling nearly 1.9 billion VND.
Nguyễn Văn H. (residing in Nghi Lâm Commune) was among the 22 beneficiaries in Nghi Lộc. Facing the risk of shutting down his woodworking shop due to interruptions during his four-year imprisonment for intentional injury, the timely disbursement of 100 million VND helped him restart production.
Currently, H.’s workshop operates smoothly, generating monthly revenues of 200 million VND. In addition to reviving his business and gradually increasing household income, his workshop provides stable employment for six workers with competitive salaries.
“This 100-million-VND loan not only resolved my capital issues but, more importantly, restored trust from various levels of government in people like us who once served time. It was a source of encouragement and motivation to help us overcome our past shadows, rebuild our lives, and become productive members of society,” H. reflected.
Across Nghệ An Province, by the end of 2024, 319 former prisoners had received loans totaling over 29 billion VND.
According to Colonel Nguyễn Hữu Thịnh, after over a year of implementing Decision 22, under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security, the Provincial Party Committee, and the Provincial People’s Committee of Nghệ An; and with close coordination among all sectors and levels, the credit policy for former prisoners has been widely implemented across the province, bringing numerous positive impacts to community reintegration efforts.
“The effectiveness of Decision 22 can be affirmed in three aspects: reducing recidivism, motivating former offenders to reintegrate into society, and contributing to social stability. This credit policy clearly demonstrates the humane, compassionate, and lenient stance of our Party and State toward those who have erred, making them feel respected and encouraged to improve their lives.
This preferential loan not only supports individual former prisoners but also stabilizes local economies and societies, especially in areas with high numbers of former prisoners,” Colonel Nguyễn Hữu Thịnh affirmed.
Content: Hoàng Lam, Thanh Hòa
Design: Thủy Tiên
February 13, 2025 – 07:34
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/anh-sang-cuoc-doi-phia-sau-bong-toi-qua-khu-20250204220430747.htm
