A video call with her children, whom she had not seen for almost three years, was organized for the convict at the minimum security institution of the penal enforcement system in the Abai region.

           A 35-year-old resident of Astana is serving a sentence for fraud. The court sentenced her to four years in prison. Previously, the woman was in the penal colony for women in the Abai region, where she actively participated in the public life of the institution, took part in events and proved herself on the positive side. For her exemplary behavior, she was transferred to a minimum security facility for further punishment.

             During a conversation with the staff of the institution, the woman said that she has two children— daughters aged eight and five. The most difficult ordeal for her was the long separation from them.

       When I got here, the hardest thing for me was realizing that I was no longer with my children. All this time, I communicated with them only by payphone and tried not to let them see me within the walls of the institution. I thought it would be easier for them that way. Now they think I'm on a long business trip. During the separation, the children have matured a lot. My eldest daughter went to school, which was an important event that I couldn't take part in.  I was very worried about this. This is a special moment for any mom. All this time, I've only seen my children grow up from the photos my family gave me. I looked at them over and over again and imagined them talking to me, laughing and hugging me," she said.

                 The staff of the institution decided to support the convict and organized a video call with the children for her. When her daughters' faces appeared on the screen, she couldn't hold back her tears.

           When I saw them on the screen, it just took my breath away. They've grown so much… I looked at them and couldn't believe that I was finally seeing their eyes, their smiles. We didn't talk for very long, but for me it was the most precious moments in recent years. It is my love for children that helps me not to give up and believe that after liberation we will be able to start life anew, soon I will return to them and do everything to never let them down again. This meeting gave me great strength and hope," the convict shared.
          Maintaining family ties is an important part of the process of convict correction. Family support plays a huge role in everyone's life, especially for those who find themselves in prison. Such hangouts help convicts not to lose touch with their loved ones, provide emotional support and become a strong motivation for correction and return to normal life after release. Such hangouts help convicts to keep in touch with their family and support their desire for correction. According to the staff, the support of loved ones plays an important role in the process of re—socialization and the return of a person to a law-abiding life," said Rustem Berlibekov, deputy head of the institution.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/duisabai/press/news/details/1230789?lang=ru