The Puig de les Basses Penitentiary Center in Figueres has confirmed the continuation of various activities during the summer months, including volunteer and support programs for inmates. These initiatives are part of the regular work of social entities in Catalan penitentiary centers, aiming to maintain spaces for support, training, and leisure.
Among the highlighted proposals are sports activities promoted by the Catalan Basketball Federation, such as the «Basketball in Prisons» project, which fosters teamwork and perseverance. Support programs from Justícia i Pau and the Fundació Sant Antoni Abat also continue.
The Social Participation Table of the Department of Justice and Democratic Quality has underscored the importance of these summer activities, which contribute to preserving community ties and reinforcing the social reintegration processes for incarcerated individuals.
Volunteer activities in Catalan penitentiary centers are diverse and include individualized support, socio-legal assistance, artistic and cultural activities, yoga, mindfulness, intercultural mediation, language reinforcement, and community and religious support. These initiatives are considered essential by the Department of Justice for the reintegration model.
Volunteering in Catalan penitentiary centers is predominantly composed of women (65.5%), with an average age over 45 and many in retirement. The main motivations are solidarity, altruism, and social commitment.
The Director General of Penitentiary Affairs, Domingo Estepa, has emphasized the importance of maintaining these activities during the summer for the care and well-being of inmates, thanking the work of volunteers and third-sector organizations.
