News

Inmates in Vilcún Prepare to Work in the Forestry Sector

Sponsors

• In this context, last week a vocational training course called "Safe Chainsaw Operation" began.

The Education and Work Centers (CET) are facilities under the jurisdiction of Chile's Gendarmerie, where incarcerated individuals work and serve their sentences in specially designated areas to perform various tasks, under a special regime and with certain benefits for inmates.

In this context, last week a vocational training course called "Safe Chainsaw Operation" began, aimed at so-called 'colonos' (inmates) as well as support staff at the CET in the commune of Vilcún, in the La Araucanía region.

This course, certified by Corma and for the first time conducted with the support of CMPC, is designed for 8 students, 2 of whom are professionals from Chile's Gendarmerie.

Carlos Martínez is 32 years old and a native of the commune of Pitrufquén. He is one of the incarcerated individuals taking the course. He emphasized, "So far, I’ve felt really good. It’s a fantastic opportunity to start something once I’m out. It’s a chance not everyone gets, and we’ll make the most of it. It’s a great prospect because it’s a work tool, and I love working in the countryside. I’m happy knowing I’ll have something to do once I’m released."

Colonel Néstor Flores, Regional Director of Gendarmerie in La Araucanía, also commented, "First, I’d like to thank CMPC for this joint effort, their help, and collaboration with Gendarmerie. For us, a public-private alliance that contributes to providing better reintegration and training tools for our prison population is very important, especially in an education and work center—a semi-open system that is key to transforming individuals and where recidivism rates are very different compared to traditional prisons."

Flores added, "So, in that regard, it’s very positive for us to have trained inmates and staff, equipping them with the tools to pursue paid work once they regain their freedom."

The course includes both theoretical and practical components. It will be taught by OTEC Mentory Capacitaciones SPA from Concepción and will last 100 hours, running Monday through Friday. Another key feature is its accreditation by the Chilean Wood Corporation, Corma, which will serve as an important endorsement for future work in the forestry sector.

"This initiative stems from public-private collaboration to promote future employability for inmates, as well as training Gendarmerie personnel in essential firefighting skills. From this perspective, at CMPC, we believe we’re providing opportunities for social and labor integration for those currently deprived of liberty," emphasized Juan Pablo Fuentes, CMPC’s Southern Zone Relationship Deputy Manager.