Share your story
You did it. You were given a second chance and took it. You have a job, relationships, you live an ordinary life. You know best how hard the journey back was and what you had to overcome. Your story can be an inspiration to others. It can give hope to those who stand at the beginning of this journey.
Be an inspiration to others
Stories like yours give hope. Show others why it makes sense to start overand that obstacles can be overcome. Run the Yellow Ribbon Run with us and take the whole family. On our run, in a T-shirt with a ribbon meet both people after the sentence and representatives of the Czech judiciary and companies. We run together, without prejudice.
joggers running in prisons
runners running at the main event
My name is René Hamrla and I am 50 years old. I grew up in a full and contented functioning family. In my 20s, I went into business and after a very short time began to taste the first hints of “success”. I managed almost everything, and I stopped respecting the legal norms and lived in the belief that nothing could happen to me after all.
After ten years, I was convicted of attempting to cut taxes for 4 years. After 2 years, I was released and entered life with the resolution that this would not happen again. Another 10 years passed and I found the courage to go into business again. I built a business with dozens of employees and a corresponding, not small, turnover. There were accompanying problems, and I resorted to the simplest of all possible solutions in good faith. I didn't consider the consequences of my decisions and I was recapturing.
After almost 15 years since my release, I was sentenced again, this time to 6 years.
It was a huge mistake for which not only I paid, but also my whole family, my children. Unfortunately, it was only after spending several months in prison that I slowly began to realize what success really is and the values that go towards it. My life has turned inside out. And today I'm actually happy for that.
I started running in the execution of the sentence first to stay physically ready for the next life, but also because it was actually an escape to myself. I could reflect on my mistakes, come to terms with them and start looking slowly on, at the life that would come after release. At the time, I perceived the dismissal itself as a very difficult and complex step.
This is the case today, more than a year later. It was a mixture of difficult and crucial decisions that each of us, the released prisoners, must make. Despite the disfavor of social habits and prejudices that we encounter on a daily basis. And not only in their job search, but also in their families, whom we have let down so much. In all of this, I try to stay grounded in my beliefs and values, which I think are finally the right ones. It's the trickier path, but I believe it's the right one to permanently integrate into a stable family and society.
With my openness to the past, I try to make people judge us not by the superficial information that comes to them and criminal records, but by how we approach life and the fulfillment of our personal and social responsibilities.
Go with us Yellow Ribbon Run
Show others why it makes sense to start over. Run the Yellow Ribbon Run with us and take the whole family. On our run in a T-shirt with a ribbon, both people after serving a sentence and representatives of the Czech justice system meet and companies. We run together, without prejudice.
Your story can give courage and hope to those who have found themselves in a similar situation.
Stand with us for the start of the Yellow Ribbon Run on June 10, 2025. You have free entry fees.
Become a volunteer
Help yourself by building a route, at a snack stand, in the children's corner, with a final cleaning after the run itself.
See photos from last year
Check out our best moments from the run.
Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to the most common questions about our program and activities.
Of course they do. You don't even have to give your name. It's up to you what you tell the public about yourself.
We would like to be able to use it on the web or on social networks. But all this will depend on you and what you give permission for.
Your story gives others with criminal pasts real hope that change is possible because they see concrete evidence that someone has been able to do it. At the same time, you can give them practical guidance on how to overcome the same obstacles they face.
Of course we do, we welcome whole families. You and your children have a free entry fee.
Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Run can make a big difference in your life too — many participants talk about feeling proud when they publicly overcome the stigma of their past. In addition, you will become part of a supportive community of people who respect you for your courage.