Art and Hope: human business model in a Lima jail

The delivery and installation of the new gas oven for the production of ceramics at high temperatures, carried out by CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, is part of a project developed in this penitentiary establishment. It is only the first part of a series of interventions for the population of 5,000 interns.  

The production of ceramics has been one of the activities promoted by the Asociación Dignidad Humana y Solidaridad (Human Dignity and Solidarity Association) in the Castro Castro penitentiary. Father Hubert Lanssiers started this initiative over four decades ago, and it benefits approximately 2,500 interns who participate in the production of these pieces that are sold in the national market.  

In the opening event, the Vice-Minister of Justice and Human Rights acknowledged the Asociación Dignidad Humana y Solidaridad (Human Dignity and Solidarity Association) and CAF, for their efforts in favor of those who are deprived of liberty in the penitentiary establishment. He pointed out, "This is an opportunity for the interns who, through work, may rediscover dignity and return to society in a proper manner". 

At the same time, Ana Mercedes Botero, CAF's Director of Social Innovation, highlighted the working methodology promoted at Castro Castro: "We are building a business model that moves away from the traditional 'maquila' and outsourcing of production within penitentiary establishments. A social enterprise model, which is the result of a vision shared by the interns so that it includes their needs and aspirations, promotes the development of an entrepreneurial vision, and improves the conditions of physical and emotional wellbeing of the interns, their families, and the authorities of the penitentiary establishment".

With respect to the generation of opportunities, Carlos Álvarez, Director of the Asociación  Dignidad Humana y Solidaridad, summarized the work developed by the organization and its results: "During all these years dedicated to the creation of opportunities for the interns with study, work, and artistic creation, we have seen that many are able to recreate their lives with these instruments, and go back to society as dignified human beings, thus enhancing their future, that of their families, and also that of their country. Jail, despite the harsh circumstances that they undergo, becomes, if they so decide, an opportunity to become better persons". 

This social innovation initiative developed by CAF, includes the participation of the interns and their families, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, the Asociación Dignidad Humana y Solidaridad, the Catholic University of Peru, the Peruvian North American Cultural Institute, the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI, for its acronym in Spanish), the Mokichi Okada Foundation (MOA), the embassies of Spain, Belgium, and Holland, the Office of the Public Defender, and Planete Urgence.

This co-created business model aims at the productive use of time when deprived of liberty, the generation of physical and emotional wellbeing conditions for the interns, and the development of skills that promote their social and economic reinsertion. 

Edgar Carpio, Vice-Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Ana Mercedes Botero, Director of Social Innovation at CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and Carlos Álvarez Osorio, Director of the Asociación Dignidad Humana y Solidaridad, were present during the presentation of the project "Art and Hope".