Returning to life after prison: Enric's story with Reincorpora

A few weeks ago, after returning home from work, Enric made himself something to eat, took a shower, and lay down on his bed with music playing softly in the background. A song he used to listen to during difficult times came on, and he remembered past experiences. He opened his eyes and realized he was home. "My time has come. I'm okay, and I'm happy," he thought.

Enric is 31 years old and lives in Pineda de Mar. He fondly remembers his release from prison, a moment of reuniting with his family and himself. "I had an incredible feeling of freedom," he says. However, he still had a fear: not being able to adapt to society. But he had already found a possible solution in prison.

"My colleagues spoke very highly of the Reincorpora program, and a social worker suggested I join," he says. From that moment on, the team supported him every step of the way, providing him with psychological and employment support. "They treated me very well, to be honest," he explains honestly. Reincorpora is a comprehensive social and professional reintegration program designed to offer a second chance to people deprived of their liberty. This program of the "la Caixa" Foundation, implemented in Catalonia in conjunction with the Center for Initiatives for Reintegration of the Department of Justice (CIRE), seeks to reintegrate citizens like Enric socially and professionally so they can rebuild their lives and strive for a future different from their past. Because job placement isn't just about searching until you find a job. It's about self-esteem, confidence, and a purpose in life, which is why Reincorpora's impact is so large and diverse. In 2024, 4,137 people participated in the program, resulting in 2,117 job placements, and 1,229 companies and 111 prisons collaborated. In Catalonia alone, a total of 455 people were placed in 436 companies. The Reincorpora program includes support, training, community service projects, career guidance, job placement, and follow-up. However, the program doesn't just address employment aspects; it stems from a comprehensive intervention that tackles all the variables that can contribute to social exclusion. This support is holistic and, above all, personalized. This characteristic is fundamental because it fosters motivation in the participant, who, in fact, shapes their own customized plan. Now, Enric walks the Pineda de Mar seafront every day collecting litter and cleaning the street—one of those invisible but essential services. For him, this contract is more than just a job. Having stable employment has allowed him to have his own apartment and independence. But above all, for this young Catalan, it has meant a return to society: he feels like he belongs again. "I feel full of life. Every morning I wake up with a smile and eager to make the most of the day," says Enric.