United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

Art as a channel to promote prison reform and the social reintegration of people deprived of liberty

October 6, 2016. The Government of Panama and UNODC launched today the IntegrArte (Integration + Art) commercial brand with a view to promoting a more sustainable social and labor reintegration of people deprived of liberty through the elaboration and marketing of high quality and competitive hand-made products.

The brand was launched by the Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Isabel Saint-Malo, the Minister of Government, Mr. Milton Henríquez, and the UNODC Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Aldo Lale-Demoz, with the presence of senior government officials, the diplomatic corps, the media and civil society representatives.

During his speech, Mr. Lale-Demoz highlighted that IntegrArte "is a practical and real example of effective attention to people deprived of liberty, and is fully in line with key international instruments on prison reform such as the Bangkok and the Nelson Mandela Rules".

Immediately following the launching ceremony, a fashion show began comprising men and women deprived of liberty showcasing the products of the first IntegrArte collection, ranging from furniture to pret-á-porter clothing and accessories.
This initiative is the result of a partnership linking the Panamanian Government, UNODC and the European Union. Before the end of the year, major national shops will start marketing the IntegrArte collection.