After more than a year of implementing Decision 22/2023/QĐ-TTg (Decision 22) by the Prime Minister, in Nghệ An, 319 individuals who completed their prison sentences have received loans totaling over 29 billion Vietnamese đồng.
According to the evaluation by the Social Policy Bank’s Nghệ An branch, beneficiaries of this preferential credit policy have adhered to their commitments and utilized the capital as outlined in their approved loan applications. The production and business models of these clients have started showing promising results.
Mr. Hoàng Sơn Lam, Deputy Director of the Social Policy Bank’s Nghệ An branch, emphasized that, apart from the efforts of the banking sector and entrusted units, the dedication of the borrowers themselves played a crucial role. He also highlighted the importance of coordination with the public security forces.
“The public security forces possess detailed and objective assessments of the legal compliance and determination of former prisoners, which serve as critical criteria for selecting eligible borrowers.
Together with Savings-Lending Groups and local authorities, the public security forces have significantly contributed to bringing this humanitarian credit policy into practice. They also help the bank screen applicants, thereby preventing and minimizing potential risks during the implementation of Decision 22,” Mr. Hoàng Sơn Lam pointed out.
To effectively implement this credit program, the Nghệ An Provincial Public Security Department and district police forces issued guiding documents and assigned specific tasks to commune-level police forces—the units directly managing former prisoners at the local level. Leaders of the Nghệ An Provincial Public Security Department stressed that during the implementation of Decision 22, all levels of public security must prioritize community benefits and the humanitarian aspects of the policy, ensuring no favoritism or fear of responsibility.
According to statistics from Nghi Lâm Commune Police Station (Nghi Lộc, Nghệ An), by the end of December 2024, the unit was managing 15 former prisoners eligible for loans. Despite comprehensive awareness campaigns from detention centers to local communities, many remain hesitant to take on debt due to psychological barriers.
Under regulations, former prisoners are eligible for loans, but family representatives handle transactions with the bank. In reality, imprisonment often erodes family trust, leading to reluctance among relatives to assume responsibility.
“After extensive outreach, consultation, and economic development guidance from the commune police, Savings-Lending Groups, and local organizations, four cases submitted loan applications, each receiving 100 million đồng.
The commune police, in collaboration with the People’s Committee and Savings-Lending Groups, regularly meet with borrowers to encourage them and monitor the effective use of funds. To date, all cases have utilized the capital effectively; some earn 20 million đồng monthly, while others create jobs paying decent wages for six local workers,” said Lieutenant Nguyễn Hoàng Chung, a police officer directly managing and supporting former prisoners in Nghi Lâm Commune.
Major Đặng Thanh Hòa, Chief of Lăng Thành Commune Police Station (Yên Thành District, Nghệ An), noted that commune-level police are tasked with disseminating information about the credit policy under Decision 22, screening and providing lists of eligible former prisoners to banks…
Commune police advise the People’s Committee to confirm eligibility and conditions for policy beneficiaries, supervise fund usage, promptly detect potential capital loss, misuse, or exploitation attempts, and propose corrective measures.
“This is an extremely humane policy, reflecting the Party and State’s concern, providing former offenders with capital to produce, develop economically, and stabilize their lives. As the closest observers of former prisoners returning to the community, we proactively classify and evaluate each case based on their legal compliance and determination to rebuild their lives. Simultaneously, commune police must anticipate recidivism risks before advising the People’s Committee and Savings-Lending Groups on evaluating business plans and approving loan applications.
This preferential policy will only achieve significant impact and effectiveness if disbursed to the right recipients. Therefore, commune police, within their functions, not only support eligible individuals but also prevent policy abuse by those unwilling to reform…”, Major Đặng Thanh Hòa stated.
Like other loan programs of the Social Policy Bank, preferential credit under Decision 22 is implemented through entrusted units. However, being a new credit program targeting a unique group, its rollout has raised concerns and doubts among members of the entrusted units.
Mr. Văn Sỹ Hùng, Standing Member of the Nghi Phương Commune Veterans Association—an entrusted unit of the Nghi Lộc District Social Policy Bank Branch—shared: “We had never handled loans for ex-prisoners before, so there were initial concerns. The preliminary evaluations and screenings by commune police provided crucial reassurance for units like ours when assessing and approving loan applications.”
In July 2024, Trần Xuân P. (born 1984, residing in Hamlet 1, Nghi Phương Commune) completed a four-month prison sentence for gambling. Facing financial difficulties to revive his cattle farming, he struggled to secure loans due to skepticism. A relative lent him 20 million đồng, insufficient to buy even one buffalo. When stuck, commune police informed him about this loan program.
Shortly after submitting his application, P. received 100 million đồng from the Decision 22 credit program. With the previous 20 million đồng borrowed, he purchased six buffaloes and cows for fattening. Upon selling mature cattle, P. butchered them for direct market sales, increasing profits compared to intermediaries. This income supports his living expenses and expands his livestock.
“For ex-prisoners like us, borrowing from relatives is challenging. Now, receiving a low-interest 100 million đồng loan repayable over ten years feels incredibly joyful. Though repayment isn’t due until 2034, I plan to pay back 30 million đồng annually, allowing the bank to recycle this meaningful capital for others,” P. shared.
Similarly, the Decision 22 funding helped Huỳnh Trung T. (born 1989, residing in Minh Hợp Commune, Quỳ Hợp, Nghệ An) gain confidence in rebuilding his life.
Formerly sentenced to 12 years for murder, T. expressed sincere gratitude. Approaching his release, he felt joy mixed with anxiety about societal rejection and livelihood challenges after prolonged isolation.
Decision 22 acted as a lifeline for T., stabilizing him amidst uncertainty. Encouraged by commune police and local authorities, he applied and received 100 million đồng. He used it to buy acacia saplings, utilizing unused family land for planting. With family support, he manages the plantation and works as a hired driver, earning 10 million đồng monthly.
“Standing amidst my thriving acacia forest, I feel fortunate to return just as Decision 22 was enacted. Former convicts like us aren’t abandoned or alienated upon return; instead, we’re given renewed hope and motivation to rebuild our lives and become productive citizens,” T. shared.
Content: Hoàng Lam, Thanh Hòa
Design: Patrick Nguyễn
14/02/2025 – 09:15
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/an-sinh/bac-nhip-cau-xanh-dua-chinh-sach-nhan-van-di-vao-cuoc-song-20250204224615737.htm
