How the detainees came to solve the problem of the labor crisis in Romania. How much a convict wins and what are the benefits of employers

The Botosani Penitentiary carries out a unique program through which different economic agents can use the work of prisoners. The benefits are multiple, say the representatives of the penitentiary. Prisoners earn money and days of freedom and the employers of efficient workforce, without additional expenses.

Prisoners work on the rehabilitation of a high school photo Cosmin Zamfirache

A penitentiary in Romania has found a solution to solve the crisis of employees from the private environment and the massive problem of integrating the former condemned into society. In addition to alphabetization, schooling and qualifying courses, the penitentiary concludes contracts with economic agents and gives the detainees a chance to work, to learn a job and, especially, to make money during the detention. It is probably one of the most wide and targeted programs for social integration of prisoners in Romania, with incredible results, say representatives of the Botosani Penitentiary. “Specialized studies show that of those who work during detention are those who have the lowest risk of returning to the penitentiary due to the feeling of maladaptation to the rigors of society.”, Stated the commissioner Anna Maria Rotariu, from the Botosani Penitentiary.

“A man who works changes his optics towards life and society's values”

The idea of ​​a collaboration with the economic agents to be born from the intention of the penitentiary management to find solutions for integrating the former prisoners into the society to prevent new crimes. Without being helped beyond the gates of the prison, many prisoners return to the environment from which they left and which has often favored the crime. We are talking about poverty, disadvantaged groups and inappropriate entourage. According to the statistics prepared by penitentiary specialists, over 27% of the former prisoners relapses because they do not find a meaning in society. One of the big problems is the lack of state efficiency in managing these people after the execution of the sentence. In addition, the Romanian society stigmatizes hard on the former prisoners and gives them hard or no second chance. Many are not employed when the employers find out that they have a record or the type of crime committed. Others refuse to rent housing or rooms for rent.

Botoșani Pooti Cosmin Zamfirache penitentiary

In these conditions, without service, many without money, end up passing again on the other side of the law. “The penitentiary provides two main functions, the custodial one, known by almost everyone, but also the function of social reintegration, which begins right from the first day of detention, but which ends suddenly at the time of the person's release, since, beyond that moment, the penitentiary can no longer guide the life, what is to be done in the former. For some of them, a significant involvement from the local community and other state institutions is needed so that they no longer commit crimes. “adds Anna Maria Rotariu. Then an ingenious solution was found to help the detainees to do well after leaving the prison. It is about organizing work and qualification programs.

Whether it is the housework within the penitentiary, or volunteering. The most important and the most coveted component among the detainees is the work beyond the walls of prison. The Botosani Penitentiary offers a chance at work and I do in the detainers through commercial contracts with different economic agents who need a labor force. And the benefits are multiple.

Botoșani Pooti Cosmin Zamfirache penitentiary

“Our philosophy is that a man who works, either remunerated, or in volunteering, changes his optics towards life and the values ​​of society, becoming more responsible for his own person and the future that falls in front of him when he walks beyond the penitentiary gate, approaching the man, or of the man, Dad, which we wish or at least we can accept as part of the community ”says the Botosani commissioner.

A solution for labor crisis

How does the system applied by the Botosani Penitentiary work? The institution concludes contracts with all the economic agents, regardless of the field, who need a workforce. There are seven stages in this process, which are completed, say the representatives of the penitentiary, in three days. First of all, the economic agent must submit a typical application requesting the labor force. Then there is the negotiation and discussions stage regarding the type of activity, the hourly tariff and other details. Subsequently, the necessary documents are presented and the contract is signed. The economic agent must have paid, to date, all obligations to the Romanian state, ie the taxes and taxes. In addition, the company must issue an invoice in advance as a guarantee of good faith. The rest of the penitentiary is in charge, as a true recruitment company.

Many of the prisoners are increasingly competing PHOTO COSMIN ZAMFIRACHE

It is about selecting the right detainees for the needs of the employer, the prisoners' guard (if they are part of the semi-light regime) with qualified personnel. The economic agent must only deal with the transport of the detainees who come to work and the guards. The advantages for the employer are multiple: workforce, exemption from taxes and fees for pension and medical insurance.

When the work or activity for which the detainees were contracted, the employer has no obligation to them, such as notice, compensatory salaries or any other obligation in the Labor Code. The penitentiary provides a constant flow of labor, and those who are not efficient are immediately replaced.

“For each of the work points, the penitentiary provides a reserve of detainees to cover the needs of the beneficiary, their number being constant. Also, in the case where the representatives of the collaborating companies find that some of the detainees are not sufficiently performing or there are other problems in their relationship with will be assigned ”says Commissioner Anna Maria Rotariu.

How much does he manage to win an inmate if he goes out to work

Advantages are also for prisoners. First of all, they are paid for their work. The average cost is 26 lei per hour, to which VAT is added. This means that for each detainee the companies that request the workforce from the penitentiary pay 4160 lei per month. Of this amount, 60% is stopped by the penitentiary and 40% returns to the detainee. Of the 60% detained by the penitentiary, 10% are kept in a separate account of each prisoner and teach to him for release. At a simple calculation, a prisoner can earn 1700 lei per month, to which are added the 10% monthly, at the end of the sentence. Prisoners who work constantly, proving that they can learn a job and are serious at work, can gather a decent amount until the end of the detention period, given that the food is provided, they do not have to pay rent or other expenses related to utilities. In addition, the work performed by the prisoner offers him days of freedom.

Prisoners at work PHOTO COSMIN ZAMFIRACHE

Those selected for work outside the prison must have proven good behavior in detention and involvement in the activities of the penitentiary. “The work is important and offers, even in detention, multiple benefits, respectively the possibility of release from the penitentiary faster, the possibility of using a percentage of the money obtained through work to obtain necessary goods during the detention, to help their family or to compensate the victims of their crimes.”says Commissioner Anna Maria Rotariu.

“We feel very good. And we have these days to win, to frees us as soon as possible.”

So far, the prisoners from the Botosani Penitentiary have participated in numerous activities, such as cleaning green spaces, agricultural and construction works. In fact, the most requested were on the site. For the majority it was a great experience, especially since they had the chance to learn the job.

“It is very important because we learn the job. And it helps us after we go out, we have a point. We can get hired. We feel very good at work. And we have these days, to frees us as soon as we have family, we have children.”confesses a prisoner involved in the rehabilitation of a school in Botosani.

The convicts participated in the rehabilitation of large objectives, such as the “Mavromati” County Hospital, the largest hospital unit with beds in Moldova, but also of numerous school units. For example, at the moment he works on the rehabilitation of the Pedagogical High School in Botosani. The engineer dealing with the prisoners' work is satisfied.

“Their presence is very important because the workforce is difficult in the area. Yes, it is done. At first it was difficult because a part did not work in the field, but showing them what it is and what we want to do, they understand. At the moment they do very well. Now we have 20 detainees and we work with them.confesses the engineer Dan Galan.

The specialist says that many prisoners have learned a job at a level that will allow them to earn their existence, after liberation, both in the country and abroad. “We will give them recommendations if necessary because of them they really do and can do a good job.”says the Botosanian engineer.