Crime for assisting the family

Project for supporting former inmates has been implemented in four regions of Georgia more than a year. Former inmates, inmates’ families and probationers are applying rehabilitation service. Huge interest and involvement of beneficiaries towards employment and self-employment programs is expressed in the fact that it considers supporting launching of the enterprises through their employment in various private companies and their own companies with small grants.

64-year old Gulnara Pilpia living in Tsalenjikha is also involved in rehabilitation program. A retired woman having spent more than a year in imprisonment now is trying to help the family with her own work. Being a tailor with profession, she has been working at the tailoring factory for years. Handicraft is her favorite business, managing to sew together with household business under home conditions, basically sewing linen and curtain for neighbors, she does not have to many orders, though says that income is rather sufficient for her, enabling her to assist the family. The incident happened in 2011, recalling that on that day she was requested to stay at home by child, though she did not obey. The family being in financial trouble, she considered herself to be obliged to care for them in any form.

“Several women, going on this business were arrested, though I still cannot understand what happened on this day. Before this we had crossed the border and imported cigarettes from Gali, though luck was not with us on this day. We were arrested and sentenced. I sent 1 year and 6 months in prison, though could never imagine that I would occur in such situation”.

Times spend in prison was rather difficult for her. After release from custody she continued her business at home, though sewing machine was outdated, due to which she temporarily stopped sewing. With the help of the organization “Tanaziari” a former inmate purchased a new sewing machine and continued sewing. She has 200-300 Gel income per month, being satisfied with her business and assisting the family.

Project for strengthening former inmates is being implemented in Ajara, Guria, Samegrelo Upper Svaneti and Iemreti region.

Former inmates, inmates’ family members and probationers willing to be involved in the project have to address the following NGOs:

Ajara – “Institute of Democracy”

Guria – “Guria Youth Resource Center”

Samegrelo-Upper Svaneti - "Tanaziari"

Imereti - Foundation “Abkhazinterkont”