A beacon of hope in the darkness: Roberto's story at Liberté

Arriving at prison: A new chapter

Some time later, he was encouraged to join Liberté. At first, like most, he chose to come in order to leave the ward and try, at least for a while, to rise above such a situation.

The discovery of a new world

Then, over time, he became so deeply rooted in the world of Liberté that he eventually became part of the community to the point of feeling the space as his own. In the beginning, Liberté had a rotisserie that complemented the grocery service, and even a restaurant — a situation that lasted until the inexplicable penitentiary blockade. Roberto cooked, drawing on his knowledge of the gastronomy profession from the outside.

A leader in the cooperative

In this way he moved through different stages, and today he is the general coordinator of the cooperative. He was the pioneer of the sports project in the space, which includes fitness, boxing, football and other related activities. A physical area of the premises was also used, where a gym was successfully built. Dumbbells, benches for various exercise needs, and even a stationary bike are all part of the enthusiasm for contributing ideas and turning them into positive, concrete outcomes.

A profound shift in awareness

Without a doubt, when someone embraces something, they pour all their positive energy into it. Roberto opens up in conversation and also speaks about the differences between the culture that develops inside the prison wards and the stark contrast found in what is built at Liberté — from the way people speak and address one another, to everyday habits like eating. He recalls that at one point, Liberté managed to prepare healthy midday meals using produce from its own organic garden for those who attended every day. He highlights the difference between life at Liberté and life in the wards, where people eat only once a day and spend the rest of the day drinking mate as a substitute for the midday meal.

A testimony of change and hope

Roberto shares that his family is at peace despite him being held in a maximum security prison. Maximum security prison — a label that tends to frighten, or at least unsettle, those unfamiliar with the world behind bars. Roberto also said that he expected everything to be much worse, but fortunately it has not been as he had imagined.

A final reflection

As they part ways, Roberto thinks about the time he has left on his sentence — he is nearly halfway through. He says that all of this has been worthwhile, because having remained paralyzed during his time in prison would have been time wasted.

Source: Radio Aires de Liberté