Prision Fellowship Cambodia - Project Phnom Penh

We meet up with Adam and Colleen Hutchinson to talk abpout the work of Prison Fellowship in Cambodia. This is a member of the international prison fellowship. Gareth's Mum and Michelle's Aunt both have worked with UK Prison Fellowship projects. Prison Fellowships across the world are projects with a heart for helping those effected by prison. In each country the exact work will be different meeting the needs of the local people. The Prison Fellowship in Cambodia has the wide aim to

"To see those affected by crime and imprisonment 

restored and empowered to improve their communities"

The project has been running for over 10 years and they have grown to be the primary providers of education and reintegration services in Cambodia. They have a small number of foreign workers and a large majority of Khemar staff working in prisons all across the country. They take a holistic approach looking at how to best help the individuals. So the education they provide will give practical skills to help them get a job, mechanics or sowing for example. But they will also provide classes on emotional and social education helping the prisoners to be better prepared for life outside when they are released. Prison sentences in Cambodia can be very long. Some people this project have worked with went into prison during the civil war, obviously Cambodia has changed a lot since that time. Working to help ensure smooth reintegration is at the heart of the work they do. 

I was very impressed to hear how the project also works with other people involved within prisons. For example they have provided training for prison staff on things such as I.T skills, communication skills and non violent approaches.This has been proven to help improve the relationship between guards and prisoners. It was  this holistic all round approach that we were most impressed by! We believe the project is making a significant improvement to lives of people impacted by prisons in Cambodia, both the prisoner ans the wider community.

They did smile and laugh a lot in the visit
I think I just took the picture before they expected me too.