Hands that select the best piece of wood, cut it, and plane it. Then they create the edges, the grooves where the pieces fit together, and the details. And finally, they hold their precious works as if they were prized possessions. A month ago, in Uruguay, when National Children’s Day was celebrated, the inmates of Florida Correctional Facility No. 19 participating in the “Ripartire – Social Reintegration” project experimented—together—with manual skills and creativity.
Ripartire – Social Reintegration: what is it?
In this penitentiary in the city of Florida, Uruguay, thirteen inmates are participating in a carpentry course promoted as part of the AMU project “ Ripartire – Social Reintegration ). This initiative uses manual labor as an opportunity for personal growth, community reintegration, and the rebuilding of family relationships.
In addition to being an educational path – in which participants learn to transform wood into useful objects – the workshop is also a space for shared experience .
For some, it’s their first encounter with professional tools and techniques; for others, it’s an opportunity to strengthen skills already developed in previous work experiences. For everyone, it’s a way to look forward.
A framework to shorten distances
Under the guidance of Pablo, who taught them the art of carpentry, the thirteen inmates designed and built small wooden paintings, intended as gifts for their loved ones . Pablo accompanied them step by step, providing practical guidance and the little secrets of the artisanal process.
Once finished, the paintings were personalized with photographs of the children or with images that were meaningful to the person who created them: a friend, a loved one, a pet.
A small, simple gesture, a way to feel present in the lives of those waiting for them outside prison. To bridge the gap.