The 2026 Prisoner Family Representative Conference organized by Nà Tấu Prison (Department of Police Management of Prisons, Compulsory Educational Establishments, and Reformatories under the Ministry of Public Security) not only created conditions for relatives to meet and encourage their loved ones, but also strengthened coordination between families and the unit in managing and educating prisoners.

Family is always an essential spiritual anchor for every individual. For those serving prison sentences, the care and encouragement of loved ones carry particularly special meaning - helping them overcome feelings of guilt and self-deprecation while nurturing their determination to study, labor, and rehabilitate to rebuild their lives. Therefore, activities fostering connection between families and the prison hold not only humane significance, but also contribute to elevating the quality and efficiency of prisoner education and rehabilitation work.

Within the framework of the 2026 Prisoner Family Representative Conference organized by Nà Tấu Prison, early in the morning, the unit’s premises became lively. Groups of relatives from various localities inside and outside the province arrived early to attend the conference and await the moment to meet their loved ones.

Present very early, Hà Quốc Tuyển from Tam Vạn village, Sam Mứn commune, could not hide his emotional feelings as he prepared to reunite with his son, who is serving a sentence for the illegal trading and storage of narcotics. Following his son’s five years of rehabilitation, what he hopes for most is that his son maintains firm determination and complies well with regulations to return to the family early.

Hà Quốc Tuyển shared: “I came here not only to meet my son, but also to join other families in encouraging our children to strive to rehabilitate well. The family is always a backing support that gives them added motivation to strive, become rehabilitated citizens early, and return to their families and society.”

Nà Tấu Prison currently manages and educates over 1,500 prisoners. This year’s conference saw the participation of 258 relatives, representing families whose loved ones have shown progress in rehabilitation. This activity is maintained regularly by the unit to enable families to grasp the study, labor, and training results of prisoners - while promoting the role of relatives in encouraging and educating prisoners so they can rehabilitate with peace of mind.

At the prisoner family representative conference, prisoners shared a reunion meal with their families right inside the prison. The simple yet warm meal became a memorable moment for every family. Around the dining table, conversations about daily life, health, work, and the education of children and grandchildren continued - interspersed with words of encouragement, reminders, and hope. For many prisoners, this was a rare meal sitting alongside parents, spouses, and children after a long period of serving their sentences. It was precisely this closeness and love from family that helped them ease self-deprecation and gain added determination to correct mistakes and return home soon.

Prisoner Nguyễn Hồng Thái shared: “Family Day is always the day that all prisoners look forward to. Meeting loved ones brings joy to everyone, but it also brings a touch of heartache seeing parents growing older every day. That very realization motivates me even more to strive to study, cultivate, and rehabilitate well so I can receive a sentence reduction, return home early, and reintegrate into the community.”

Colonel Nguyễn Việt Hùng, Warden of Nà Tấu Prison, stated: “Families always hold an important role in the education and rehabilitation process of convicts. Organizing the prisoner family representative conference is a practical activity helping the unit grasp the thoughts and aspirations of relatives. Concurrently, it provides full information regarding the study, labor, and rehabilitation results of prisoners so families can coordinate in encouraging and educating them. When families and the prison walk together, prisoners feel emotionally reassured and actively labor, study, and rehabilitate. This also serves as an important condition for them to strive to benefit from the lenient policies of the Party and State, returning early to their families and becoming useful members of society.”

Practical reality demonstrates that family care consistently exerts a positive impact on the rehabilitation process of prisoners. Alongside the management and education of prison officers, family companionship stands as the anchor enabling individuals who made mistakes to overcome guilt and nurture the will to rehabilitate.