The opportunity for individuals who have completed their prison sentences

After one year of implementing policy credit for individuals who have completed their prison sentences under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg dated August 17, 2023 by the Prime Minister, the VBSP Dak Lak branch has helped many former offenders overcome their past, rebuild their lives and become valuable members of the community and society.

Representatives from VBSP and the C11 Department of the Ministry of Public Security exchanged information about the credit program for individuals who have completed their prison sentences under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg

Helping Offenders Gain Confidence

"After serving one year of my sentence, I realized how much time I had wasted, causing suffering for my family and becoming a burden on my wife and children. Therefore, when I was allowed to return to normal life, I made a firm decision to start over, stay away from social vices and focus on building a career to develop the economy and build a happy family", said Mr. Cu Ngoc Ut from Yang Tao commune, Lak district.

As his release date neared, Cu Ngoc Ut felt lost. He was ashamed of himself in front of his community and relatives. Fortunately, in late 2023, VBSP Lak district approved a loan of VND 100 million for him under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg. With this capital, he bought fertilizers, pesticides and improved 2 hectares of land to grow coffee. "Thanks to accessing the policy loan in time, I overcame my feelings of shame and was able to work on my business, gradually stabilizing my life", he shared.

In the recent coffee harvest, his family earned nearly VND 100 million. Additionally, their grocery business generates nearly VND 10 million per month. As their lives steadily improved, Cu Ngoc Ut and his family are grateful for the compassion and humanity of the Party, the State and the support from VBSP. Every month, in addition to repaying the loan on time, Ut also sets aside a portion to save at VBSP.

Similarly, Mr. Y Chon Lieng from Buon Don Yang in Yang Tao commune also received a loan of VND 100 million from VBSP Lak district under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg. "This loan has been a lifeline, both mentally and financially for my family", shared his wife, H Dlah Buon. She explained that, before their financial troubles, their family had been relatively well-off thanks to their wood trading business. However, they later realized that their money-making methods were illegal, resulting in legal consequences.

"Fortunately, with this policy, the encouragement from local authorities, the bank staff and the simple loan application process, along with fast disbursement, long repayment terms and low interest rates, my family quickly reintegrated into society", said Y Chon Lieng.

Ready Capital

Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg by the Prime Minister, regarding credit for individuals who have completed their prison sentences, is a humane policy with deep humanitarian values. It provides legal grounds and favorable conditions for reintegrating ex-offenders into society, helping them access loans for vocational training, business development, and life stabilization. This policy has been highly supported by the people of Đak Lak province and has quickly been integrated into community life.

As a result, immediately after the release of Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg, the People's Committee of Đak Lak province issued Official Letter No. 9100/UBND-KT on October 18, 2023, to implement the decision. VBSP Dak Lak branch coordinated with the provincial police and social organizations, has focused on reviewing those in need, approving loans and completing documentation to ensure timely disbursement to eligible ex-offenders across the province.

Mr. Dao Thai Hoa - Director of VBSP Dak Lak branch said: "To implement Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg, district-level transaction offices have promptly engaged. To ensure effective use of the loan capital, VBSP staff have coordinated with mass organizations to regularly visit loan recipients, check progress and encourage them to use the funds efficiently and for the right purposes".

VBSP Lak district has disbursed VND 1.9 billion in loans to 20 families of ex-offenders under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg. Since early 2024, the district has disbursed VND 1.3 billion to 13 cases. Across the entire province, within one year of implementing Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg, VBSP has disbursed a total of VND 19.3 billion to 233 families of ex-offenders; 186 of these cases received loans totaling over VND 15.9 billion in 2024.

Mr. Dao Thai Hoa also shared: "In the future, we will continue to widely promote the credit program under Decision No. 22/2023/QĐ-TTg, coordinate with the provincial police to implement the program and work with mass organizations and local authorities to assess needs and prepare capital to meet the demand for loans for vocational training and economic development".

Adhering closely to the central government's directives, the branch will actively advise the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee to create resources that help eligible ex-offenders with the necessary capital to support poverty reduction, job creation and social order and security.

Binh Nhi – Phuong Anh