APAC Method Advances in Paraguay with Inauguration of New Facilities in Coronel Oviedo

The expansion of the APAC Method in Paraguay took another important step with the inauguration of new facilities at the APAC Pavilion of the Regional Penitentiary in Coronel Oviedo, Paraguay. The ceremony was led by Paraguay’s Minister of Justice, Rodrigo Nicora, as part of the activities of the “Government for Oviedo” program.

The improvements are part of the Paraguayan government’s strategy to strengthen public policies focused on social reintegration through the creation of more dignified, well-structured and training-oriented environments. The initiative aligns with the principles of the APAC Method (Association for the Protection and Assistance of the Convicted), developed in Brazil and internationally promoted by the Fraternidade Brasileira de Assistência aos Condenados (FBAC), also known as Prison Fellowship Brazil, which is responsible for the standardization, oversight and expansion of the methodology in Brazil and abroad.

A Model that Inspires

The APAC Method has been consolidating itself as a viable and effective alternative to the traditional prison system, with significant results in reducing recidivism and promoting a more humane approach to serving a sentence. In Paraguay, the methodology is applied based on self-governance, discipline, responsibility, spirituality and community involvement.

FBAC, as the entity responsible for overseeing, regulating and promoting the method in Brazil and internationally, has closely followed the development of APACs in Paraguay, providing training, technical support and the sharing of expertise. The expansion of the structure in Coronel Oviedo is a direct result of this joint effort.

New Facilities

The renovation and construction of the new spaces aim to strengthen work, training and support initiatives for the recuperandos (the term used for individuals serving sentences within the APAC Model):

• Sewing Workshop (160 m²): Fully upgraded with new infrastructure, removable ceiling and industrial electrical system.
• Laundry (22 m²): Newly built area with sinks, ceramic tiles and modern hydraulic installations.
• Dining Hall (58 m²): Covered space with countertops, ventilation and electrical installations for kitchen equipment.
• Storage and Cooperative (63 m²): Refurbished to ensure safe and organized storage of supplies.
• Internal Fence (40 meters): New perimeter with concrete posts and galvanized mesh.

Authorities in Attendance

The ceremony was attended by several Paraguayan authorities, including:

• Rodrigo Nicora, Minister of Justice
• Rubén Maciel, Vice Minister of Criminal Policy
• Rafael Caballero, Vice Minister of Justice
• Rosalía González, Director of Welfare and Social Reintegration
• Stella Azuaga, Director of Works and Infrastructure
• Jorge Torales, Director of the Regional Penitentiary of Coronel Oviedo
• Diana Barrios, Criminal Enforcement Judge
• Félix Dupont Pastor, Representative of APAC Paraguay

International Cooperation for Dignity

FBAC reaffirms its commitment to the consolidation of the APAC Method across various countries in Latin America and highlights the importance of its partnership with the Paraguayan Ministry of Justice, which has been strengthening the implementation of the methodology with seriousness and dedication.

The experience in Coronel Oviedo joins other ongoing initiatives in the country, as part of an international journey toward justice with dignity, human transformation, and the overcoming of a merely punitive logic.