Příbram/Prague, March 20, 2025 — The 10th anniversary Yellow Ribbon Run (YRR), a run for the integration of people with a criminal past, will be inaugurated at Příbram Prison. This year's edition will be themed around families, not only the traditional ones, but also the Yellow Ribbon community. The event will be attended by representatives of the state administration, the non-profit sector, companies as well as VIP guests who will support the runners in prison, their families and children. The main race for the public will take place on June 10, 2025 in Obora Hvězda in Prague, and outside the running for active runners it will bring several novelties, including the so-called. My fanwalk for walking fans. The 10th edition was sponsored by the Prague 6 district, the Ministry of Justice of the Czech Republic and the Office of the President of the Czech Republic.
The Yellow Ribbon Run is a symbol of support for those with criminal backgrounds on their journey to a new beginning.
An important part of this is the Connecting Hearts Children Race, which, in collaboration with Telio's Connecting Hearts Foundation, will allow children under 15 to run for free. Likewise, runners with criminal pasts also have free registration this year.
New partnerships boost support for second chances
The anniversary edition also brings new strong partnerships:
A - GIGA increased its support while inspiring Centropol to become the new partner of Yellow Ribbon Run.
VOLONTÉ CZECH joins the run with the project VOL without invisible victims, which focuses on the children of incarcerated parents and their support.
Telio and its foundation Connecting Hearts are expanding support for the Connecting Hearts Children Race run.
What do its creators and partners say about Yellow Ribbon Run?
Gabriela Slováková, initiator of Yellow Ribbon Run:
“Over the course of ten years, we have built a tradition that helps change the way people look at people with criminal backgrounds. We're proud that this year the run is connecting even more people -- from corporate partners to the children of incarcerated parents. And most importantly, it continues to grow and inspire other European countries. “
Barbora Černošková, patroness of children of imprisoned parents:
“Children of incarcerated parents often carry a stigma they don't deserve. With projects like the Yellow Ribbon Run and this year the Connecting Hearts Children Race, we are giving them the opportunity to be part of something positive and get the support they need. “
Petr Čřetníček, actor and long-time supporter of Yellow Ribbon Run:
“The Yellow Ribbon Run is not just about running, it's about people who deserve a second chance. Each of us has made a mistake at some point, but the important thing is to be given the opportunity to correct it. That's why I'm proud to be a part of this initiative and support those who are trying to change their lives. “
Petr Červený, Director of Příbram Prison:
“We are proud that it is in Příbram Prison that we can launch the 10th anniversary Yellow Ribbon Run. This action gives our convicts not only the opportunity to play sports, but above all the chance to show that they are ready for change. Promoting second chances is key to reducing recidivism and better reintegrating convicts into society. “
Vera Babišová, A - GIGA:
“Supporting Yellow Ribbon Run is a natural choice for us. We see that it makes sense and changes lives. We are pleased that we were able to inspire another company, Centropol, to participate this year, and we believe that others will join us in the future. “
Zuzana Bejo, VOLUNTEER CZECH:
“Children of incarcerated parents are often invisible victims of crime. Our partnership with Yellow Ribbon Run allows us to support them and spread awareness about their needs and opportunities to help. “
Zoran Bartek, Marketing Director of the Czech Olympic Committee:
“Sport has a tremendous power to bring people together and break down barriers. The Yellow Ribbon Run is a great example of how running can help not only individuals, but an entire society. I am delighted to be able to help the success of this inspiring event. “
Yellow Ribbon Run continues its mission to break down prejudice and open doors to new chances. Join us on June 10, 2025 at Obora Hvězda in Prague and join us for a change!
Více aktualit
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“Prisoners Are People Too” Interview Series Starts
Zdeňka Šíp Staňková is creating a new series of podcasts “Prisoners are also people” in cooperation with the Yellow Ribbon project. The aim is to show the impact that imprisonment has not only on the convicts themselves, but also on their children and entire families.
Presenter Zdeněka Šíp Staňková will conduct open interviews with both experts and people who have personal experience of serving sentences or returning to freedom.
The first part will introduce Gabriela Slováková, Yellow Ribbon Run and the work of the Probation and Mediation Service.
The series wants to break down prejudices, open uncomfortable topics and look for ways in which society can help families affected by prison.
Follow us on the internet so you don't miss any part.
Rapper Lipo prepares a clip for a song about a second chance, thus promoting enlightenment on the topic of children of imprisoned parents
Well-known rapper, singer and lyricist Lipo, who is an ambassador for the Yellow Ribbon Run initiative, is preparing a music video for the song Sara, which tells the story of finding a second chance and a way out of a difficult life situation. On the song he collaborated with Kuba Ryba, frontman of the band Rybička 48. The project is created in collaboration with Yellow Ribbon, which has been helping people start again after serving a sentence for ten years.
“The song Sara tells the story of a man who is looking for a way back into life, learning to take responsibility for his mistakes and trying to give a second chance to himself and the people around him,” says Lipo.
“Together with Cuba Ryba, we wanted to give this song even more power, not only musically, but also humanly, and thus send a message to society. “
Helping children who did not choose fate
In the Czech Republic, according to non-profit organizations, there are up to 40,000 children whose parents are in prison. These children often face stigma, loneliness, and psychological or economic problems.
“We don't talk much about the children of incarcerated parents. At the same time, they are the most vulnerable,” says Veronika Friebová, PR and community care manager at Yellow Ribbon.
“It's important that these themes reach the public domain through music that has the power to reach a broad audience across generations. “
Music for Change
The clip will be filmed, among other things, in the premises of Jiřice Prison and will involve people who have their own experience of returning to life after serving a sentence. The themes of parenting and the parent-child relationship will be part of the story.
“Music is a powerful tool, it can open up complex social topics in a way that is accessible, emotional and understandable,” says Gabriela Slováková, initiator of the Yellow Ribbon Run in the Czech Republic and director of the Probation and Mediation Service.
“By collaborating with artists like Lipo and Kuba Ryba, we are taking criminal policy awareness to a whole new level. “
The largest campaign about second chances in the Czech Republic
The song and story in the clip Sáro follows the ten-year anniversary of Yellow Ribbon Run, the largest awareness event in the Czech Republic aimed at integrating people with criminal pasts. Its aim is not only to break down prejudice, but also to contribute to a safer society. The premiere will take place in autumn 2025.
Acknowledgements
We thank the Prison Service of the Czech Republic and the management of Jiřice Prison for their willingness and support not only in the implementation of filming, but also in our other projects.
We are among the states with the most incarcerated, yet we are one of the safest countries
I was irresponsible and selfish because I didn't think about when I went to prison, what about the kids... that it would hurt them and the family. “
“These people come out of jail with nothing. Unless they have someone who gives them a helping hand, who pulls them up, who sees them as a person and not as a prisoner, it's awfully hard for them to start over. “
“The fact that there are a lot of perpetrators of crime means that there are a lot of victims. If we want fewer victims, we have to work with the perpetrator. We have to teach him other patterns of behavior, we have to give him a chance to see a better tomorrow and we cannot think that it ends with him walking out of prison when he has nowhere to go... “
“A third of the people are the ones who don't go back to that prison again because they're there episodic - they have a good family, a job. They have failed, but they know the advice and someone will take care of them. Then there is a third that goes back there, it has become such a lifestyle for them, but not because they yearn to live in prison, but because you have nowhere to go outside and no one wants you. That third includes extremely dangerous people who need to be locked up. And then there's a third, and those are the ones we need to work with so they don't come back. “
What is the path from prison to freedom and into ordinary life? What is it like when you get a second chance and can start again and better after leaving prison? What are the current challenges of Czech prisons? Lumír, a dad of three and a man who spent several years in prison, shares his experience in the podcast Don't Be Away. The second guest is Gabriela Slováková, founder of Yellow Ribbon Run and director of the Probation and Mediation Service. Podcast completo Listen on Youtube.