The subdelegate of the Government in Ourense, Eladio Santos, attended the commemorative events of the Day of the Patroness of Penitentiary Institutions Our Lady of Mercy, which took place in the Penitentiary Center of Pereiro de Aguiar.
The celebration began with a Mass, followed by an institutional act and presentation of recognitions, led by the director of the Ourense penitentiary center, Francisco González, who highlighted the great work carried out daily by its officials and the good attitude of the inmates in terms of participation in the numerous educational, work and training activities, as well as specialized treatment programs offered by the center.
He also mentioned the scheduled departures organized with the aim of achieving the personal development and preparation for life in freedom of the more than 100 participating inmates; the improvements made in their infrastructures; and he did not forget a special mention to the State security forces, Judicature and Prosecutor’s Office, for their close collaboration. “We share the common objective that is to ensure the guarantee of the rights of citizens and of inmates and inmates as well as the safety of all,” he said.
Following the tradition and taking advantage of such an important date, the Penitentiary Center of Pereiro highlighted, with the delivery of recognitions, the evolution of several inmates, the trajectory of various officials and the important social work carried out by personnel of the Civil Guard, National Police and various entities that collaborate daily with the center of Ourense.
During his speech, the deputy delegate of the Government, Eladio Santos, highlighted the good functioning of the center of Pereiro in terms of achieving the objective of reeducation and social reintegration of those who serve their sentence. “The key to the results is in the staff, and not so much in the regulations. Only people are able to bring about this rehabilitative change for us internally.” Proof that the Ourense model works is that “80% of the inmates of this penitentiary center do not repeat themselves. A remarkable high, and rising, which speaks of its excellence. We reject repressive and destructive experiments. It is once again about transforming to build,” he insisted.
In addition, the deputy delegate recalled the support that the Government of Spain is showing to penitentiary institutions. “In the case of Pereiro, in addition to the recent renovation of the kitchen facilities, which are exemplary, investments worth 5 million euros are already approved for the collection of storerooms and optimization of roofs, renovation of pavilions of officials and cells, improvements of facades and in energy efficiency, renewable energy facilities, to name a few,” he explained.
He did not want to end without highlighting the collaboration of the State security forces, NGOs and Judicature. “They are very necessary agents, I would say they are essential, as they are part of this project,” he said. And finally, he addressed to the inmates, to encourage them to “take advantage of the programs and opportunities offered to you in this center. Getting up after a fall or a failure makes you stronger, bigger and opens the way to a happy life.”