Sport as social re-insertion: the case of boxing

By: Psychologist Diana Sosa, member of the World Boxing Council Medical Committee

One of the guiding principles of Social Reintegration within the Penitentiary System worldwide is sport.

Some are allowed to be practiced within prisons, but it is well known that boxing is the favorite.

People Deprived of Liberty, benefit from practicing sports in many ways (such as the sublimation of emotions) and boxing allows them to better control plus channel impulses and aggression. In addition to teaching them values such as respect and perseverance.

Many of the people within prisons, on the street, were drug and/or alcohol users, so starting boxing inside prison establishes healthy habits, since it’s a discipline that is physically and mentally demanding, It will not be possible if you are in poor physical condition or in a state of intoxication.

Currently there are many cases of people who were serving a sentence, who get to know boxing in prison, work hard at it, and when they were released, they continue and later advance in level until they become professional boxers.

With all of the above, it is clear that sport in any circumstance is beneficial for physical and mental health. It saves futures and lives and is the best re-introduction into society. Of all those people who have the hope and aim of being released and carrying a decent way of life, it is vital.