The pursuit of social cohesion and successful prisoner reintegration in Rwanda’s correctional facilities implemented in partnership with DIDE and Interpeace has been greatly supported by sociotherapy healing spaces.

This approach empowers inmates to confront past actions, restoring dignity, experiencing personal healing, and seeking forgiveness, fostering reconciliation and the rebuilding of trust between perpetrators and the community.

While emotional healing and reconciliation are essential, sustainable reintegration also requires tangible opportunities for self-reliance. Access to vocational training and small business development was seen as a bridge between personal transformation and…. social reintegration, helping inmates not only to avoid returning to crime but also to contribute productively to their families and communities.

This contribution was highlighted during @Interpeace_Org’s Stakeholders’ Engagement dialogue on achievements & lessons of the Societal Healing Programme funded by Swedish International Development Agency (@Sida) as well as the introduction of the Consolidating Unity & Resilience Programme, supported by@EUinRW.