Projects from the Campina Grande Social Office restore the dignity of those released from the prison system

The Renewable Energy Systems Electrician (Photovoltaic System Installer) course began this Monday (06), involving graduates of the penitentiary system. The initiative is the result of a project by the Social Office of Campina Grande together with the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Paraíba – IFPB. The purpose is to ensure the rights of people released from the prison system and their families, strengthening and enhancing public actions and policies aimed at this public.

As explained by the coordinator of the Campina Grande Social Office, Gutemberg Marques de Sousa, the course, aimed at twenty former prisoners from the prison system, will last three months, during which period they will receive a scholarship, study material, uniforms and, upon completion, will have IFPB diplomas. “We started today with 10 students and on May 20th ten more will be added. The intention is that this project will extend throughout Paraíba, starting in Campina Grande, as they will learn the wind electricity course”, he highlighted.

The Social Office consists of a public facility with shared management between the Judiciary and Executive Powers, created by the National Council of Justice (CNJ), within Axis 3 – Citizenship, of the Making Justice Program. It is responsible for welcoming and referring people leaving the prison system and their families to existing public policies, promoting intersectoral and interinstitutional integration, aiming at the inclusion of users in state and municipal bodies.

In Paraíba, it was established by Law No. 11,570, of December 10, 2019, in the structure of the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat. The social equipment is the result of a partnership between the National Council of Justice, the Paraíba Court of Justice, the State Secretariat for Human Development, the State Secretariat for Women and Human Diversity and the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat.

Both the Campina Grande and João Pessoa Social Offices are monitored by members of the TJPB’s Support and Monitoring Group for the Prison and Socio-Educational System (GMF) and the General Inspectorate of Justice.

Coordinator Gutemberg Marques also informed the existence of the Coexistence Group ‘Freedom, freedom, spread its wings over us’, which consists of meetings with groups of graduates. The action involves a dynamic with the participation of psychologists and social workers, who carry out workshops with the participants with the aim of raising their self-esteem and restoring their dignity.

He also highlighted a third project from the Campina Grande Social Office, in which participants are placed to work in public institutions, such as Detran, UEPB, Cagepa, Cehap and Sudema, in addition to initiatives with Senac and the Commerce Union Campina retailer. The unit’s activities also involved team visits to all CRAS in the municipality, to show how the Office works.

“All of these projects, which we develop at the Social Office, aim to integrate those released from the prison system into society to restore their dignity. Work and coexistence are very important, as we not only accompany the graduate, but the family as well. It is important that we bring dignity to these people”, emphasized Gutemberg Marques, reinforcing that to date 1,657 people have been served, including graduates and family members.

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By Lila Santos/Ascom TJPB