VietNamNet Bridge – Working as a handicraft maker has been a dream for Pham Van Cong since he was put under lock and key 13 years ago in Nam Ha Prison in northern Ha Nam Province.

Amnesty declared for over 10,000 prisoners

Prisoners receive clothes before their release at Nam Ha Prison in Ha Nam Province. Amnesty will be granted to more than 10,000 prisoners as from today. (Photo: VNS)

"It is beyond my imagination and expectations. I do not know what to say to express my feelings now. All I can say is that I haven't been able to sleep since I was informed that I was to be granted freedom," he told Viet Nam News yesterday, Aug 29.

"I want to tell the good news to my mother but I am so happy I don't know what to do. I am so confused and hardly believe it is true. I can't wait to see my mother tomorrow," Cong said in tears.

"Thirteen years in prison, you can't imagine how happy I am to be going home. I have longed for that day for years but I still can hardly believe it is coming.

"I want to look after my mum and find a job as a handicraft maker.

"I got entangled in drug trafficking at a time when I was jobless but now I am sure I can earn a living by working as a handicraft maker."

Cong was sentenced to 20 years in prison for drug trafficking. During the time he received vocational training to make rattan products and then was chosen as a trainer to teach the skill to other prisoners.

"Learning the job was not easy, especially at my age, but the dream inspired me a lot while longing for the day I would go back home," he said.

"I hope I can open my own rattan workshop in Chuong My, my hometown. It is famous for this traditional handicraft.

"However, I am afraid of being discriminated against, as an ex-prisoner, and that no one will want to do business with me.

"But I hope for the best as all prisoners here are encouraged not to have a complex or feel guilty and to try their best to work to become valuable members of the community."

Cong also dreams of starting his own family when he returns home.

"When I was sentenced I was single," he said.

Nguyen Van Le, who is in charge of educating prisoners, said Cong deserved to get amnesty for his efforts in jail.

"He always abides by prison regulations and laws and has become a model for other prisoners," Le said.

"We have witnessed thousands of prisoners being granted their freedom over the years but we still feel happy when such an occasion comes. It not only recognises the efforts of prison staff and prisoners themselves but also serves as motivation for other prisoners to be eligible for amnesty.

"You can imagine what it is like to witness the moment when their family members come to pick them up, with tears of happiness, and to feel how happy we are as their educator-wardens."

Head of the prison Colonel Duong Duc Thang said the amnesty reflected the leniency of the Party and State which had created a motivation for prisoners and a chance for them to integrate back into society.

"We try to provide prisoners with vocational training to help them better integrate," Thang said.

"The amnesty policy has proved effective, with the rate of recidivism by prisoners who get amnesty below 1 per cent."

Cong is among 108 prisoners at the Nam Ha Prison to be granted freedom today on the occasion of Independence Day (September 2).

"Chances still await other prisoners," Cong said. "I hope all prisoners will try their best to make progress with rehabilitation to get amnesty and become a valuable member of society."