Replanting life: ecological and human restoration

Brazil has one of the largest prison populations globally, with high occupancy and recidivism rates. The possibility of professional training and work while serving time can be decisive to avoid recidivism and promote the resocialization of former inmates. The Replanting Life Program (Programa Replantando Vida–PRV) employs, trains, and remunerates inmates to work in ecological restoration activities, including seed collection, production of forest tree seedlings, planting, and water resources management. This study assesses the PRV's environmental benefits between 2015 and 2019, along with prisoners' motivation and perception of personal changes after working with ecological restoration. Recidivism rates among the participants were also determined. Between 2015 and 2019, the PRV nurseries produced 1,014,960 seedlings and collected more than 3 tons of seeds from 248 Atlantic Forest species. The PRV promoted ecological restoration and environmental education in more than 60 municipalities of Rio de Janeiro state. During this period, 326 prisoners worked in the PRV with ecological restoration for at least a month. The primary motivation that led inmates to seek job opportunities in the PRV was the right to remission, followed by professional training. Among the benefits perceived by prisoners for their lives, the most mentioned were the increased sense of responsibility, professional training, and family appreciation. PRV participants that worked in ecological restoration activities had recidivism rates of 22%, which is lower than the national average. It is possible to conclude from the PRV experience that prison work in ecological restoration, associated with professional training and income generation, can promote environmental benefits, reduce recidivism, and humanize the prison system.