During and after custody

“I have an aged father at home (85 year old), which I have not seen for three years owing to financial problems and his health state. He is unable to meet me on an appointment and taken care by neighbors. He is my great pain, being alone in the family, in need of medicines and normal food”, - this is a part of the letter sent by the prisoner from Penitentiary Institution, which we publicize upon the inmates’ consent.

It must be difficult to hope for better future locked in the dark cells for years, to maintain belief, trust kind people and the deed made without self-interest. It is difficult, though as it turned out possible. This is proved by several letter submitted in response to the above-mentioned document.

“Thank you for returning belief! Belief in the fact that kind people acting without self-interests still exist in this world!”

Everything started with fact that Zura (name is changed) has referred to the organizations implementing the project “for Strengthening Former Inmates”, told his story and asked for help. Despite of a number of facts and requests reflected in the letter his main wish was to take care and supply his old father with necessary things before his release from custody.

The representatives of project implementing NGO arranged a visit to study a social state and needs of inmate’s father. Later, in agreement with the elderly he was purchased hygienic means and food in the frame of the project “for Strengthening Former Inmates”. The representatives of NGO also received a promise for restoring ceased social aid for the elderly from the Head of the Social Service Agency in the Municipality where inmate’s father is residing.

A good deed was followed by a Letter of Gratitude from prison in an original form, full with warm generous words.

“Moon of Megrelian beauty is looking into prison’s window. Midnight… I am praying for you. This verse is genuine and comes from depth of soul, many thanks!!! Can’t find the words…

Only several months are left before Zura’s release from custody. He has already written 500-page long novel and is planning to continue writing when he is free. He has already appealed to Non-Governmental Organization with the request of becoming their beneficiary.

„I want to radically change my lifestyle, I am planning to live honorably, to work, though I really lack qualification, i.e. I will need your help and assistance. I believe in you and look at you with hope. Please do introduce with your program and include me in the beneficiaries’ list. I will contact you after I am released”.

As told, he has not spent time fruitlessly in prison. He has specific vision and is sure that realization of them will be of great held for probationers and for the state.

„I have some knowledge in construction and agriculture as well as, I can find a way out from any problematic situation. I have specific aims and intentions, in case of correct development of which, the state, probationers and former convicts will benefit from”.

The Institute of Democracy in cooperation with partner organizations is working on assisting and strengthening of “former inmates, inmates’ family members and probationers” in Ajara, Guria, and Samegrelo and Upper Svaneti region. In most cases, social-economic state of the families is extremely deteriorated after imprisonment of their family member, hence inmates’ family members represent one of the main target group of the project.

The project is being implemented by the Institute of Democracy, Guria Youth resource Center, Tanaziari and Fund “Abkhazinterkontinent”.