Behind the label and stigma attached to inmates lies a complex reality, one marked by struggle and, often, pain. The negative stigma of being a “former inmate” frequently makes it difficult for them to be accepted back into society, regardless of the fact that they have served their sentences and undergone rehabilitation. Former inmates are often burdened with negative labels that leave them isolated, ashamed, and anxious when re-engaging with their social environment. From behind prison bars, many have participated in entrepreneurial skills training programs intended to equip them to live independently and achieve economic self-reliance upon release.
According to Nurul Indarti, Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FEB UGM), entrepreneurship programs have the potential to serve as a bridge of hope for former inmates who remain determined to start a new life after regaining their freedom.
From behind bars, she and her team explored another side of inmates’ lives, examining how entrepreneurship training influences their intention to pursue entrepreneurial activities upon returning to society.
Involving 204 inmates as respondents at a correctional facility, the study examined the role of psychological factors, such as self-efficacy and entrepreneurial resilience.
“Prison has long been perceived solely as a place of punishment. After inmates complete their sentences, freedom often still feels fragile because the label of former inmates frequently closes off opportunities such as employment, trust, and even the chance to pursue dreams,” Professor Indarti said at FEB UGM on Monday (Jan. 26).
Professor Indarti explained that her research was motivated by the phenomenon of recidivism, or the recurrence of offenses. She noted that two out of three former inmates eventually return to prison within two to three years after their release.
“This is a cycle that is difficult to break because our social system has not fully provided space for second chances. Is there truly no way out of this cycle?” she questioned.
She emphasized that prison can serve as a space for guidance and learning, enabling individuals to rediscover the meaning of life.
Through a program known as Bimbingan Kerja (Bimker), inmates are equipped with skills to become self-reliant by learning activities such as sewing, carpentry, food processing, and handicraft production.
The results of the study conducted by Professor Indarti and her team show that the program does not necessarily lead inmates to immediately pursue entrepreneurship.
Instead, it plays a significant role in fostering self-efficacy and mental resilience, making it a key asset for anyone seeking to rebuild their life from the ground up.
“One respondent even expressed a firm belief in personal change after participating in the program. This is where true transformation begins, because rehabilitation programs are not only about correcting behavior, but also about restoring self-worth and opening pathways to a more meaningful life,” she explained.
Professor Indarti further noted that, if implemented sustainably and with a humane approach, such programs can help reduce crime rates while providing real opportunities for a fresh start.
Therefore, programs should be designed not only to teach know-how but also to cultivate know-why, such as the underlying reasons and meanings behind change.
“When someone understands why they need to change, that change is more likely to last. From that conviction emerge new skills and renewed hope. Ultimately, prison becomes not merely a place of punishment, but a school of life,” she said.
Entrepreneurship behind bars tells a story of second chances, of how individuals, despite having fallen, still have room to rise and contribute to society. According to Professor Indarti, everyone deserves a second chance.
“One small opportunity we provide today can be the beginning of a thousand steps toward a new and more meaningful life,” she concluded.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-Editor: Zabrina Kumara Putri