Yellow Ribbon Run: An inclusive society as the foundation for a better future

The Yellow Ribbon Run 2025 is taking place in Bundek Park, Zagreb, on 19 March 2025 

Ahead of this symbolic race, which aims to sensitize the public and emphasize the importance of community support in the rehabilitation and resocialization of people with a criminal past, the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation is conducting a media campaign to inform the public about the importance of the work done in the prison and probation systems and their role in improving community security.

One of the most important goals of this initiative is to support the reintegration of people with a criminal past into the community, encourage the development of a more inclusive society, open a discussion about stereotypes and prejudice faced by people with a criminal past and raise awareness of the importance of rehabilitation.

The mission of the prison system in Croatia is clearly focused on achieving the main purpose of prison sentences, i.e. successful rehabilitation and social inclusion of prisoners after serving the prison sentence, while being committed to humane treatment and respect for the dignity of all persons deprived of liberty. The mission of the probation service is to reduce the risk of recidivism through resocialization, support and monitoring of offenders in order to increase community security. 

A prerequisite for a successful rehabilitation of convicts is synergistic work and cooperation between the prison system and the probation system, in order to provide better opportunities for the resocialization of criminal offenders, their better integration into society, and ultimately to improve the security of the community as a whole.

Community safety depends very much on society itself. It is therefore important to strive for an inclusive society that recognizes and values the diversity of its members, providing equal opportunities and rights to all, regardless of their differences. 

By active participation of all members of society, education, raising awareness of the problems faced by marginalised groups and their inclusion in society, we open the door for new opportunities and contribute to the general progress of society.

Therefore, the symbolism of this race is also significant for our community. The Yellow Ribbon Run initiative serves to declare our commitment to capacitating convicts for life at liberty in accordance with social norms and rules of both prisoners and probationers. Support of the community to these efforts represents a meaningful contribution because a demonstration of togetherness and solidarity can play a crucial role in changing the perception of people with a criminal past and giving them a second chance.

History and significance of Yellow Ribbon Run 

The Yellow Ribbon Project was launched in 2004 in Singapore as a national initiative aimed at encouraging the community to accept former offenders and reintegrate them into society.

As part of this project, an annual humanitarian race Yellow Ribbon Run has been organized since 2009, with the main aim of raising awareness of the importance of giving former offenders a second chance and encouraging the community to support them during rehabilitation. 

Overall, the project, including the Yellow Ribbon Run, contributed to reducing the rate of recidivism in Singapore and promoting a culture of acceptance and support for former offenders. 

In Europe, the Yellow Ribbon Run was initiated in the Czech Republic, inspired by the original Singapore’s project. The race was first held in Prague in 2016, and since then the country has been actively promoting the idea of spreading the initiative across Europe.

The Yellow Ribbon Run was first organized in Croatia in September 2024, in Gospić, with notable success. Prisoners, judicial police officers, managers of correctional institutions, heads of probation offices, probation officers, judges, prominent athletes, academics and other community stakeholders participated in the race, demonstrating togetherness and equality, and pointing out the importance of social support in the process of reintegration of persons with a criminal past. 

This year, the race is taking place on Father's Day, which further draws attention to the fact that some of the persons deprived of liberty and probationers are also parents. Prisoners' family members will also participate in the race to highlight the importance of supporting and maintaining connection between prisoners and their families, especially children. 

The race is organised by the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration and Digital Transformation, Directorate for the Prison System and Probation, as part of the bilateral project ‘Strengthening the capacity and visibility of the prison and probation systems’, which is funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

You can read more about the probation service, its activities and its importance at: https://mpudt.gov.hr/about-the-ministry/internal-organisation-of-the-ministry/directorate-for-the-prison-system-and-probation/probation-service/27316 

You can find out about the work and importance of the prison system for the community at: https://mpudt.gov.hr/about-the-ministry/internal-organisation-of-the-ministry/directorate-for-the-prison-system-and-probation/prison-system/27247