Making the most of life behind bars

By Phương Thủy

HÀ NỘI — Time spent behind bars is never meant to be easy.

But some foreign inmates at Vĩnh Quang Prison are making the most of their lives locked up. 

And in one extreme case, a German national who has served his sentence is happy to stay in the prison because he feels that is now his home.

Jurgen Michael has been a free man for almost a year, but instead of returning to his homeland he prefers to stay in prison.

“I like living here. I don’t want to go home. This is my second home,” said the  六0-year-old.

“Vietnamese officers are good and friendly. They treat me very well. They give me bánh chưng (square glutinous rice cake), giò (Vietnamese sausage) and candy to celebrate Tết ( Lunar New Year) with Vietnamese people. I have a lot of fun while living here so I don’t want to go anywhere.”

When he was first jailed he did not speak a word of Vietnamese, but after spending so long behind bars he has picked up the language.

Back home in Germany he has no family, so for Jurgen, Vĩnh Quang is his home, and the inmates are his family. And he is not alone.

Many other foreign inmates have accepted their sentences and are doing their best to build a new life behind bars, reports Công an nhân dân (The People's Police)

Laos national Khamphy was jailed for  二0 years after he was caught in possession of heroin.

“My uncle and father used to visit me from time to time,” said the  三 二-year-old.

“But last year, due to COVID- 一 九 pandemic, they couldn’t do so and I didn’t receive any support from them. However, the officers here take good care of us.”

Since his conviction  一0 years ago, Khamphy has done his best to integrate with the rest of the inmates, even taking part in a talent competition held by the prison.

“It’s here I have learned so many songs that I’ve never knew before. The officers also offer me vocational training and care for me when I am sick.”

According to Senior Lieutenant Colonel Tạ Văn Lương, deputy warden of Vĩnh Quang prison, many foreign inmates can speak Vietnamese. They don’t only co妹妹unicate with each other but also sing songs, read poems and perform skits.

In addition to helping prisoners recognise their wrongdoings and become better people, the prison has organised many activities to enhance their spiritual lives.

They are also taught Vietnamese, to gain a better understanding of Vietnamese culture.