From prison to hope: INFOTEP transforms lives behind bars in the Dominican Republic

Santo Domingo.- There are stories worth telling repeatedly, and one recently gained renewed prominence as talent, dignity, and transformation became visible at the Third Artisanal and Production Fair of the Dominican Penitentiary System. Beyond the event itself, the enduring message is the power of vocational training to change lives, even from behind bars.

In correctional facilities across the Dominican Republic, INFOTEP (the National Institute of Professional Technical Training) does more than just teach trades; it cultivates hope. What begins as a class in sewing, carpentry, or jewelry making evolves into a tangible path toward social reintegration. Each skill acquired marks a step closer to inner and social freedom.

During the fair, held at the Pavilion of Nations last May, dozens of incarcerated individuals showcased their achievements to the country, demonstrating what they can accomplish with training, discipline, and commitment. From furniture to handbags, footwear, decorative pieces, clothing, and jewelry, all products exhibited and sold were entirely made by inmates trained by INFOTEP.

Among the inspiring stories is that of Ángela Campusano, 41, who has received 52 INFOTEP courses over six years at CCR-2 Najayo Women. “I will continue training. I also teach classes to children in San Cristóbal, and it has gone very well. With what I do now, I support my family, pay for my children’s courses and university, and support myself,” she proudly shared. Ángela, like many other incarcerated women, found a purpose within prison that she might never have imagined achieving in freedom.

The testimonies of Herna Beriguete, 31, and Humberto Ogando, 42, further underscore the profound impact of this training. Beriguete stated, “Being constantly trained has made me feel free and clear-minded,” using her earnings to support her children and mother. Ogando values his learning with an entrepreneurial spirit, expressing, “INFOTEP has not only helped me endure my sentence but also equipped me with tools to work and get ahead decently with my own business.”

Over the past five years, INFOTEP has trained more than 900 inmates as part of a program designed to facilitate their reintegration. This initiative, a result of an agreement with the Attorney General’s Office and the General Directorate of Penitentiary and Correctional Services (DGSPC), aligns with Law 113-21, which establishes penitentiary work as a cornerstone of rehabilitation. DGSPC Director General Roberto Hernández Basilio highlighted that nearly 60% of the exhibitors were women and that a portion of sales profits directly benefits the correctional centers, fostering self-sustainability.

Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso praised the fair’s focus as part of a public policy aimed at genuine rehabilitation, stating, “It’s not just about modernity, but about complying with the law. Reintegration is a mandate we are assuming responsibly.” The event, which included artistic performances by inmates, served as a collective declaration that, with the right tools, it is possible to start anew. In every product sold, every course completed, and every testimony shared, it becomes clear that true freedom begins within, and INFOTEP’s human and technical training opens doors that confinement can never close.