JAKARTA — As a form of assistance and strengthening for ex-prisoners, Dompet Dhuafa through the Lembaga Pelayan Masyarakat (LPM) held a Debriefing & Workshop for Santri Prison Alumni on Wednesday-Thursday (20-21/11/2024) at Sofyan Hotel, Cikini, Central Jakarta. This activity was held to help prison student alumni who have been released from prison so that they can adapt back to society. As well as equipping them with religious insights and business skills to support economic independence, so that when they are out they become prosperous and have independent businesses.
This initiative is part of the Bina Santri Lapas (BSL) Programme which focuses on religious guidance and mentoring for prisoners in correctional institutions (Lapas), LPM partners. Launched since 2009, the programme has partnered with 10 prisons and 1 detention centre.
Kamaludin, Head of LPM Dompet Dhuafa, explained that the BSL programme includes three main tasks, namely legal awareness counseling for students and college students, routine coaching in prisons through recitation and mental strengthening, and motivation for prisoners not to repeat mistakes after release. A team of spiritual guidance assistants (bimroh) or BSL volunteers (pe-bimroh), routinely carry out coaching activities twice a week, providing spiritual support and motivation for prisoners.
Read also: Fostering Santri Lapas: Dompet Dhuafa Provides Training for Prisoners on Corpse Registration
Furthermore, Kamaludin also revealed that the third approach focuses on mentoring prisoners who have been released from prison. According to him, during the detention period, they often lose three main things: relationship with family (life), interaction with the social environment (life), and work or source of income (livelihood).
‘After release, they need a recovery process to reunite with family, social environment, and get economic opportunities. However, the biggest challenge is finding a job, as the stigma of being an ex-convict often becomes an obstacle in the world of work.’ said Kamaludin.
The two-day coaching and workshop for alumni of prison students included entrepreneurship training. The participants were encouraged to design a sustainable business, such as preparing a business proposal and steps to start a business. Selected proposals will be reviewed directly through field assessments, and those who qualify will receive capital support to start a business.
This workshop presented expert speakers in the field of MSMEs, one of whom was Renanta Anindia Wardana from the Maju Bersama Tanabe Foundation who delivered material on the steps to start a business. The material presented included setting business goals, identifying target markets, analysing opportunities based on generational characteristics, and various other strategies to start a business effectively.
‘We will also provide control and mentoring, so that they also feel that someone is paying attention. This is also a form of preparation for them to survive. The hope is that when they leave prison, they still have a livelihood motivationally and spiritually, we have fostered them inside, outside they are strengthened again with business models but with the condition that the business is serious. That’s why in these two days they are trained, brainstorming that what kind of business it is, how to manage the risks, to manage it. So that they really become full human beings again. Hopefully, with this, we can restore their dignity in society.’ added Kamaludin.
A total of 40 prison student alumni participated in the activity. The majority of the alumni came from Class II A Gunung Sindur prison in Bogor, Class I Correctional Facility in Tangerang, Paledang prison in Bogor, and Class IIA prison in Bulak Kapal Bekasi.
One of them is Ahmad Rusydi (39), a BSL programme alumni. Behind the bars of Tangerang Class I Prison, he found a turning point in his life. Ahmad managed to rise up, leave his dark past behind, and is now a useful figure for the community. After his release, he chose to teach the Quran in his neighbourhood. Although he does not charge a fee, Ahmad feels that his work is more than enough.
‘The important thing is that we are sincere. I feel that the children around me are still in dire need of Quran teachers, I see that many children nowadays, the future of this nation, are not reciting the Quran and they are more busy playing mobile phones. Because there are many young children who need guidance, that’s why I decided to become a Quran recitation teacher.’ said Ahmad Rusydi.
Sometimes, Ahmad teaches at the mosque, but it is not uncommon for him to go to homes to teach the Quran privately. Ahmad also revealed that during the BSL Programme there was a big change in his life.
‘In terms of religion, knowledge, and religious knowledge, I learnt a lot. When I got out of prison, I was well accepted by the community. In fact, now I am trusted to lead activities in the mosques, leading tahlil.’ Ahmad continued.
Read also: Isra Mikraj of Prophet Muhammad SAW Becomes Inspiration for Santri in Tangerang Prison
Ahmad also expressed his gratitude to Dompet Dhuafa for the guidance provided since he was in Tangerang Class I Prison, until now. He also feels grateful for the additional knowledge gained in this workshop.
This journey is clear evidence that change is always possible, even from the most unexpected places. From prison, he is now a light for many people around him, proving that everyone deserves a second chance for a better life. (Dompet Dhuafa)
Text and photo: Anndini Dwi Putri
Editor: Dhika