Forty-seven prisoners from the Cape Verdean capital’s central prison tell “the true story” in the first book written in a prison in Cape Verde, an initiative that brought together stories and reflections and awakened, in some, the desire to become writers.
To worktitled “Voices Speak Behind Bars”, brings together texts produced as part of a project that aims to give a voice to people deprived of their liberty and promote their social reintegration.
“It was a surprise for us prisoners. We faced it with confidence and naturally and believed that we were capable of making our contribution in a positive way”Nickson Tavares, 34, told Lusa, in the prison yard, where he is serving nine years in prison and is just a few months away from being released.
Writing transforms lives
Nickson decided to write about his last day off, a moment he describes as the most memorable of his life.
“I summarized a bit of the crimes I committed and that led me to be here. It was the most memorable day because it was the last conversation I had with my family”, he explains.
Writing became a process of reflection and emotional release for the inmate.
“This project really changed my way of looking at life. Today I am able to express myself through writing. It was like a seed planted in me that is now bearing fruit, because I already have ten book titles and three are already ready”, he says, adding that he intends to publish the works when he is free.
The mother’s reaction was one of the most memorable moments. “She came to tears and told me that today she feels something for me that she hadn’t felt for a long time, that she is proud of me”, he says, pointing out that his desire is to be “a writer and recognized internationally”.
Among the participants is also the Portuguese Ana Rita Lopes, 45, who is serving three years in prison and tells of a life marked by episodes of violence and changes in path.
“When they told me about the project where we could finally tell our story without filters, I thought it was important, because society normally condemns us, labels us. So I decided to participate because I could give my story, just like a coin has two sides. The first side had already appeared, which is the one that appears on Facebook and on television, and I would finally have the opportunity to tell the story behind bars, which is the real story”, he said.
The inmate considers participation to be “the most enriching and learning experience” of her life.
“I grew up in a family with an almost golden cradle and knowing bad people, I ended up taking paths that were unknown to me, but that I wanted to take”, he says, recounting episodes of violence, persecution and running away with his children.
Degree in Literature, states that he always dreamed of writing a book and prison ended up giving him that opportunityalready having his own work ready to publish.
“Today I can die happy. The book is called ‘A woman trapped in São Martinho’, with 155 pages”, he said.
Cleiton Costa, 33, has served a sentence for six years and says that the writing process led him to revisit the past.
“I was involved with drugs, with drinking. It wasn’t easy. But now I want to change because I write every day”, he said, reporting that He learned to read and write in prison and will continue after his release with projects linked to his neighborhood and children.
Michel Veiga, 32 years old, reports that the motivation was to tell your own story. “I wrote song lyrics, but never a book”, he says, highlighting that Participation opened new perspectives to continue writing.
Literary initiative
The project coordinator, Lena Marçal, explains that the initiative began in 2021 and involved 47 participants.
“Many do not have support from their parents, others lost it early, are under the care of grandparents or uncles and end up taking a path to crime”, he reveals, adding that The initiative allowed for more coexistence between prison participants and contributed to their social reintegration.
Lena Marchal also defends the expansion of the project to other islands.
“Literature and writing are a very powerful and transformative weapon for human beings”, he concludes.
The general director of Penitentiary and Social Reintegration Services, Odair Pedro, highlights in the book that this is The first time that inmates have recorded their trajectories inside and outside the prison system.
According to the person responsible, The content may also contribute to the definition of public policies in the sector and the prevention of crime.
Cape Verde has a prison population of around 2,000 inmates, and the criminal recidivism rate is 25%.
