The Mule Jewels Prison Program recognizes the importance of rehabilitation for individuals seeking a second chance, and it echoes the need for compassion and understanding in the criminal justice system.
Mule Jewels is a grassroots rehabilitative silver-making initiative located within Kerobokan Prison in Southern Bali, Indonesia.
Our primary objective is to equip incarcerated individuals with vocational skills in silver jewelry craftsmanship to encourage possitive opportunities and improved choices upon their release while simultaneously offering a respite from the confines of their cramped prison cells. The program serves as a therapeutic and creative outlet for its participants, allowing them to channel their energies towards something good.
All of the designs emanate from the collective creativity of workshop members. 100% of proceeds from every sale contribute directly to sustaining the program by enabling the purchase of additional silver, tools, and supplies - so our guys can keep their creativity flowing!
Founded and administered by Si Yi Chen, a member of the Bali Nine, Mule Jewels is a testament to the transformative power of rehabilitation. Si Yi received a life sentence in 2005 for his involvement in attempted heroin trafficking with the Bali Nine but has since redirected his life's path. He now focuses on counseling and imparting silver-making skills to fellow inmates and has played a pivotal role in achieving a remarkable reoffense rate of 0% among program members, many of whom have successfully reintegrated into society by working in Bali's thriving silver industry.
Mule Jewels recognizes the importance of rehabilitation for individuals seeking a second chance, and it echoes the need for compassion and understanding in the criminal justice system. We acknowledge the stories of those like the Bali 9. Our program emphasizes the potential for personal growth and transformation, irrespective of past mistakes. By extending a hand to those who have faced challenges and providing them with opportunities for skill development, we aspire to contribute to the broader conversation on rehabilitation and redemption, believing in the possibility of positive change for all.
Co-founder Joanna Witt (founder of Bali jewelry shop Yin Jewelry for the Soul) is a dedicated expatriate residing in Ubud, Bali. Her help has been instrumental in coordinating the program's activities and providing an outlet for Mule Jewels to be sold in Bali and beyond.
