PVEM proposal unemployment insurance for people released from prison in Mexico City, Digi Mart USA News (Mexico City): The parliamentary group of the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico (PVEM) has presented an initiative that would allow people leaving prison facilities in Mexico City to automatically access an unemployment insurance benefit. The stated goal is to facilitate their reintegration into the labor market and reduce the risk of criminal recidivism.
The proposal, presented by deputy Rebeca Peralta, would add Article 11 Bis to the Law for the Protection and Promotion of Employment of Mexico City. It would establish temporary economic support for people who regain their freedom, provided they live in the capital and have no employment income, pension, retirement or incompatible subsidy.
Peralta, who is also vice president of the Human Rights Commission of the local Congress, said that one of the main obstacles faced by released people is the lack of income during their first weeks outside prison. She also pointed to job rejection, the absence of family support networks, and difficulty meeting the administrative requirements of social programs.
Under the initiative, the Undersecretariat of the Penitentiary System would be required to inform the Secretariat of Labor and Employment Promotion and the Social Reintegration Institute of upcoming releases at least five business days in advance, to facilitate enrollment in the program.
For the first payment, the document proposes eliminating the requirement to wait for a call for applications, present a referral letter, prove a prior employment relationship, or demonstrate that the person is seeking work. To receive a second payment, however, beneficiaries would have to show participation in training, job search or job placement activities; otherwise they would no longer receive support.
“We are not proposing to reward those who were in prison; we want to prevent them from returning to crime. If we want to improve the security of our neighborhoods, we must also address what happens when a person regains their freedom.
Reintegration must serve to prevent new crimes and protect society,” Peralta said.
The deputy stated that people deprived of their liberty will eventually return to the streets, and therefore considered it necessary for them to have job opportunities upon regaining their freedom.
“Social reintegration is not a matter of second chances; it is a matter of public security,” she concluded.
