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30 20 a 26 de Abril de 2007 Inside the inside Prison. Not somewhere where most of us will ever have to, or would want to go. Unless to visit someone else. Someone sentenced to spending time in a place where time itself grinds to a standstill, the days merge into weeks and routine takes a robotic hold on what for the rest of us, on the outside, is daily life. But the notion that a prison sentence is merely punishment for those who have done wrong is far from the truth. It is, in fact, an opportunity, at least for those held at Faro prison Opposite the municipal theatre in Faro is Faro prison, which has been visited regularly the past few weeks by The Portugal News. It is 'home' to 143 inmates, all men, 70 per cent of whom are in preventative custody, the remaining 30 per cent serving 'hard' time. Surprisingly, 40 per cent of all Faro inmates are foreign. Fifteen nationalities including English, Scottish, French, Brazilian, Western European, African, and Chinese, as well as Portuguese, make up the institution's resident population. But arguably the most surprising feature of this prison is that its director is a woman. Most of the convicts in Faro are serving lesser sentences of anything up to five years, for crimes like drug trafficking in small quantities or theft. But most of those condemned to terms inside this establishment can (and indeed do) consider themselves fortunate. Divided into four departments - security, clinical administration, and education - each department has qualified, experienced professionals in charge to ensure everything runs like clockwork and provide the best possible chances of education and social reacceptance for those held inside. Drª Paula Quadras is the prison director. She is a petite, well-presented lady who has made it a personal mission to break down the boundaries and misconceptions surrounding offenders to offer them the best possible chances of becoming respectable and contributing citizens to the society they will be reunited with once free. Her philosophy is unique, and she defends that prisons should not be looked upon as "mere containers" for society's offenders. "From the moment individuals arrive they have to be prepared for their release" she explains, "We can give them that preparation, but they have to want to be the authors of their change". To achieve this, in the year and a half that the establishment had been under her supervision, she has introduced a diverse range of activities to motivate the prisoners and promote the learning of new skills, at the same time encouraging drug detoxing and hygiene. Yoga, handicrafts, carpet weaving, music lessons, poetry competitions, an internal newspaper and painting classes are but a few of the activities that have been introduced. Voraciously accepted, for many of the inmates these activities have become a means of mental escape from their confines: something to look forward to whilst reflecting on their pasts, motivation to endure yet another day of their terms. Dr. Júlio Melo is one of three educational technicians. After spending five years as a prison guard he sat exams to become an institutional educational advisor, something that gives him great satisfaction. This department offers convicts the chance to acquire educational qualifications whilst in prison, creating tools for the men to re-build their futures on the outside. Courses including table serving and bartending, as well as conventional schooling, can be attended. "Seeing an offender come in with no education whatsoever and leave with the ability to read and write makes it all worth while" he says. Whilst most subjects have qualified teachers, others, such as the painting classes, rely on the inmates' own interaction and sharing of skills. Language barriers disappear and positive behaviour is extracted through interaction, teaching and sharing. And the results are very surprising. The prison now boasts its own fourmember band, 'Band'Alheira', of which two members had no previous experience whosoever and were taught by fellow inmates, as well as picking up technique by sight and by ear. Playing impressive renditions of Rock and Roll favourites, the band performed for civil officials with primitive equipment at a Christmas party in 2005. The officials were so impressed that new instruments were donated from the civil governor, and are now put to very good use. One of Band'Alheria's founders, Portuguese inmate António Godinho, takes incredible pride in the accomplishments with his quartet. "It helps to escape from the daily grind," he says in perfect English as he leafs through an immaculately hand-written book of lyrics. "It makes you feel alive". His dream is to one day be able to play for outsiders. He is also proud that upon his release a legacy will likely be left for future convicts to nurture and work towards. Band member Aleric Scott, an Englishman who has been in Faro prison for a matter of months, has adopted a very positive outlook towards his situation. "While I was on the outside I always wanted to learn to play an instrument because I have always been interested in music", he explained. "Unfortunate life didn't allow me the time or circumstances to do so. Now I can. I will put my time here to good use". "We're all here for a reason so we should be learning", he reflects. Faro inmates also put on play for visitors, participate in inter-prison competitions, and a selection of works of art will soon be put on display in their very first outside exhibition, held in the 'Armasen' gallery in Lagos, throughout the month of April. This upcoming exhibition is a dream come true for the eight men who participate in the daily art sessions. Prisoner Frank Walling takes pride on sharing his artistic talents with his fellow inmates, most of which have never painted or drawn before. According to two of the resident psychologists, it is also important in the sense that it gives the men an opportunity to regain lost values, as well as proving to the outside world that they have positive qualities. Contradicting the general perception of 'criminals', the expressive freedom found through art creates a window to reveal a more sensitive side, something translated through the time and effort that is taken to complete the paintings. Another impressive case is that of prisoner João Almeida, whose time in Faro has given him direction and determination to succeed in society after his release. João has fallen in love with traditional 'Arraiolos' carpet weaving. He spends up to five hours a day dedicatedly weaving a carpet he is making for his mother to thank her for unfailing love and support. After his release João, who suffers a 70 per cent handicap in one of his hand and which significantly improved following his venture into carpet weaving, hopes to get a grant to start a small business selling the traditional 'Arraiolos' wools and threads, as well as making and restoring the carpets. 'Arraiolos' carpet making is a dwindling Portuguese tradition and one that João aims to prolong. Someone else who has seen the improvements in both the prisoners and their routines over the past 18 months is head of security Chef Manuel Lourenço, who has been with the prison for over 32 years. "Some of the men who end up here arrive through unfortunate circumstances," he says, "once imprisoned they realise that it is not a life to aspire to and when they leave they do change. It's great to see someone ten or twenty years down the line, who did time in prison when they were younger and really made something of their lives". Life inside starts at 07h30, when the inmates are released from their cells, and finishes at 21h00 when silence is installed and cells are locked down. During this period the prisoners have time from 09h30 - 13h00 and 14h30 - 17h00 to go about their various activities. The main aim, however, is to try to give the men some of their independence and self-worth back so they have every possible chance of succeeding after release. According to Drª Quadras, there are various ways that outsiders can help and she would like to appeal for others to take this into consideration. Here is how you could help. As a business, your small tasks (i.e. folding flyers, putting letters in envelopes, folding textiles, etc.) can be undertaken by prisoners for a small fee. The revenue from these jobs will revert towards materials for workshops and items of personal hygiene. Offer work experience to prisoners completing their sentences. Gardening, construction works, assistance on golf courses, etc, are all positions that would be gladly filled. A trial period can be requested. Organise exhibitions or showcase inmate's work. Donate materials (paintbrushes, paper, paints, oils, pencils, etc.). A list of necessary items can be issues on request. After spending a morning at Faro Prison the question was posed if at anytime I felt threatened or intimidated. My answer was decisively "No". Curiously, I felt privileged to have witnessed determined individuals, both criminals and non-criminals, making a genuine effort to positively re-invest in a society that may once have been seen as an enemy. For more information, contact Drª Paula Quadras on: (+351) 289 805 190, or send a letter to: Estabelecimento Prisional Regional de Faro, EN125, 8000-126, Faro.
Post-Milénio... Às Sextas-feiras, bem pertinho de si! 20 a 26 de Abril de 2007 31 ALMOÇO DE CONFRATERNIZAÇÃO BEM-VINDO CAPITÃO DE MAR E GUERRA FUZILEIRO ANTÓNIO JOÃO CARREIRO E SILVA Como já faz parte das comemorações anuais na nossa Comunidade é sempre com muito prazer que damos a conhecer a efectivação de mais um almoço dos Ex- Combatentes do Ultramar do Ontário, o qual terá lugar no Domingo, dia 22 de Abril, às 12h30, no Europa Convention Centre, 7050 Bramalea Road, esquina com a Derry Road, em Mississauga. É convidado de honra, o Capitão-de-Mar-e-Guerra Fuzileiro, António João Carreiro e Silva, natural de São José, Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Açores, a quem damos as boas vindas, pois estamos certos de se tratar de um grande valia para este importante acontecimento, uma vez que se trata de individualidade altamente relacionada com as razões que levam a este convívio. Aliás, como afirmaram os responsáveis, para este almoço estão convidados todos aqueles que de algum modo fizeram parte dos Ex- Combatentes do Ultramar, assim como todos aqueles que quiserem estar presentes, quer tenham sido militares, ou não Como é tradicional, estará patente uma exposição de fotografias, revistas, medalhas, louvores, e artesanato, pertença dos ex-militares. E, uma das grandes atracções deste evento, o facto de todos poderem trocar histórias vividas durante os seus tempos de combatentes, por isso se espera que todos aqueles que têm episódios inesquecíveis garantam a sua presença no próximo domingo, no Europa Convention Centre, em Mississauga. Para mais informações: 905 677-9100, ou: 416 534-7515. CURRICULUM VITAE Nome- António João Carreiro e Silva Posto- Capitão-de-Mar-e- Guerra Fuzileiro Data de Nascimento-08 Set 1943 Naturalidade- S.José-Ponta Delgada-S.Miguel-Açores. FORMAÇÃO: Primaria- Escola do Campo- Ponta Delgada Secundário- Liceu Nacional de Ponta Delgada CURSOS: • Curso de Oficiais R.N.- Classe de Fuzileiros-Escola Naval • Curso de Fuzileiros Especiais-Escola de Fuzileiros • Curso de Planeamento- Instituto Superior Naval de Guerra • Curso de Operações Anfíbias- Instituto Superior Naval de Guerra • Ace Senior Officers Orientation Course- Instituto de Defesa Nacional •Curso de Auditor de Defesa Nacional- Instituto de Defesa Nacional PROTOCOLO COM MUSEU DOS PIONEIROS DE TORONTO ESTÁGIOS: • Centro de Instrução dos " UK Royal Marines"- Inglaterra • Batalhão Operacional " 42 Royal Marine Commando"- Inglaterra • 6ª Esquadra da US Navy no Mediterrâneo • " Flota Anfíbia " espanhola no Mediterrâneo • Estado Maior General das Forças Armadas( EMGFA) para Adidos Militares das Embaixadas ACTIVIDADE OPERACIONAL NO ESTRANGEIRO: • Operações de Desembarque com Unidades da " Infanteria de Marina" da Armada de Espanha • Operações de Desembarque no 26ºMEU( Marine Expedicionary Unit) do US Marine Corps FUNÇÕES, COMISSÕES E COMANDOS: • Instrutor de Táctica da Escola de Fuzileiros • Chefe do Serviço de Tiro e Armamento Táctico da Escola de Fuzileiros • Oficial do Destacamento de Fuzileiros Especiais nº2(DFE2)- Angola • Comandante do DFE 10- Angola • Comandante do DFE 23- Fuzileiros Especiais Africanos- Guiné • Comandante do Batalhão de Fuzileiros nº2 • Imediato da Escola de Fuzileiros • 2º Comandante da Força de Fuzileiros do Continente • Comandante da Escola de Fuzileiros • Comandante da Força de Fuzileiros do Continente OUTROS CARGOS: • Adido de Defesa ( Militar, Naval e Aeronáutico) das Embaixadas de Portugal em Bissau, Dakar e Conakry • Adjunto do Director da Divisão de Informações do EMGFA • Director das Relações Externas do Serviço de Informações Estratégicas de Defesa e Militares( SIEDM) • Director Geral Adjunto do SIEDM CONFERÊNCIAS: • Participação como convidado da Associação dos Deficientes das Forças Armadas (ADFA) no " Simpósio sobre Stress de Guerra" que se realizou na Universidade dos Açores LOUVORES E CONDECORAÇÕES: • 16 Louvores individuais e colectivos • Distintivo Especial da Ordem da Torre Espada, 1 Cruz de Guerra, 2 Medalhas de Prata de Serviços Distintos, 2 Medalhas de Mérito Militar, 2 Medalhas de Comportamento Exemplar( prata e ouro), 3 Medalhas das Campanhas, Ordem de Mérito da República Federal da Alemanha e Medalha da Ordem de Tamandaré do Brasil. Seja bem-vindo! OGoverno dos Açores, através da Direcção Regional das Comunidades (DRC), celebrou, em Toronto, um protocolo de cooperação com o Museu dos Pioneiros, acto que marcou o início de diversas colaborações que a DRC irá desenvolver no sentido de reunir referências documentais sobre a história da emigração açoriana. A directora regional das Comunidades, Alzira Silva, que representou o executivo naquele acto, assinando o documento, teve, por outro lado, reuniões de trabalho com responsáveis dos departamentos de Português das Universidades de Toronto e Brock, em que foram analisadas hipóteses de parcerias nas áreas da história da emigração açoriana, bem como em outras temáticas culturais, com especial objectivo na divulgação dos Açores. No prosseguimento da visita de trabalho a realizar às comunidades açorianas da costa Leste da América do Norte, Alzira Silva reuniu-se, com os membros da Casa dos Açores da Nova Inglaterra, nos Estados Unidos, bem como com as associações do Sul desta área e com conselheiros das Comunidades Portuguesas, no Consulado de Portugal, em New Bedford. GaCS/FA/DRC
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VEJA O NOSSO ANÚNCIO NA ÚLTIMA PÁGINA - Post Milenio

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