Maria Marias: project with women at the State Penitentiary of Espiritu Santo. SENAC-ES. Brasil
To promote socio-educational, vocational, cultural and entrepreneurial actions in order to allow inmates to rescue their citizenship and their productive value, contributing to their reintegration into society.
Specific
- Develop psycho-social diagnosis.
- Implement programmes in health, education and citizenship that lead to changes in attitudes and values.
- Sensitize workers at Women's Penitentiary of the proposal.
- Strengthen family bonds through integrative workshops.
- Develop partnerships with various institutions of the "S" System, non-governmental and civil organizations, aiming at reintegration of women in custody at the State Penitentiary.
Women inmates of the State Penitentiary of Espiritu Santo, at Tucum in the municipality of Cariacica.
The Maria Marias project is an initiative of the Ministry of Justice, through the National Department of Prisons (DEPEN), which is sensitive to the situation of women prisoners across the country and offers a link with the "S" System. The project is based on the concept of reinsertion focused on work, entrepreneurship and strengthening family bonds, minimizing the effects of incarceration and rescuing the potential of women as mother, worker, entrepreneur, educator, and citizen.
It is a new chance of life for thousands of women. This is the first time a project of this nature is conducted nationwide in Brazil.
The project had the effective support of Tucum Penitentiary officials, mostly from Social Assistants who made the selection process of inmates, the pedagogic monitoring was carried out by professionals from SENAC-ES.
- The project was considered successful by SENAC Team. In the final evaluation of the course, participants judged excellent the course materials, instructors, facilities, equipment and tools.
- Between 2008 and 2011 more than 1,500 women had the opportunity to learn a trade and develop their entrepreneurial side. In addition to specific training other "global actions" were carried out such as getting personal papers and those of their children as well as activities designed to improve self-esteem and hygiene and personal and family health.
- The inmates who are authorized for temporary releases are already exerting paid professional activities.
- Women learn to reframe their lives and develop a different perspective on themselves. With a qualification, they can get a job, regain self-esteem, value and function in society and they see themselves as citizens, able to work, compete in the labor market and lead life with dignity.
- In 2008 the project won the award INOVES - Innovation in Public Management Espíritu Santo, in the social inclusion category, in recognition of its achievements.
- The project received an honorable mention in the first edition of the National Award for Best Practices, sponsored by the National Council of Criminal and Penitentiary Policy (NSCLC), an agency of the Ministry of Justice. Thus, "Mary Marys" became a national reference in the resocialization of women.
