President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova visited the sewing workshop, which operates within the women’s department at the Idrizovo Correctional Institution-Skopje, where she spoke with the female convicts, who are involved in the sewing and embroidery process.
The female convicts introduced the President to their work activities, motivation and desire to work, inspiration and acquired skills, and personally presented their creations – bags, scarves and toiletries that are sold outside the prison under the logo “Embroidery of Hope behind Bars”.
The sewing workshop, which was opened for the first time at the initiative of fashion designer Irina Toseva, who is also a mentor to the female convicts, was assessed by Siljanovska-Davkova as a positive model of resocialization, self-sustaining, but also profitable.
She welcomed the cooperation of the prison administration with socially responsible companies and individuals, which has resulted in success stories of reintegration, and encouraged the expansion of this practice in other prison departments.
According to her, resocialization is one of the key goals of the penal system, pointing out that punishment is not only isolation, but also preparation of convicted persons for responsible and active inclusion in society.
Previously, the President met with the Director of the Institution, Zoran Jovanovski, and the Director of the Administration for the Execution of Sanctions, Aleksandar Pandov, who introduced her to the conditions and situation in the prison, with the planned structural changes to address current problems related to respect for human rights, health care and the lack of accommodation capacities.
At the meeting, the functioning of the prison courtroom was welcomed, which provides safe conditions and lower costs for court proceedings.
The President reaffirmed her position on the need for a new Law on Pardoning, emphasizing that pardons do not assess the prisoner’s actions, but rather their resocialization.
Work engagement of convicted persons is provided for in the Law on the Execution of Sanctions. Through work, they acquire practical skills and work habits, which increases their employment opportunities after they are released from prison and reduces the risk of re-committing crimes.
During the visit to the sewing room, the convicts presented the President with a handmade bag, and she, as a sign of support for their work, bought New Year’s gifts made by them.
