Transform lives through education, da ethics and philosophy: this is the ideal that moves or project Reconstructing Dreams, where New Acropolis Cuiabá has been participating since 2021. A initiative born of a partnership between public institutions of Mato Grosso — such as
o Public Ministry (MPMT), or Judiciário, a Public Defender, to Sesp-MT, to Funac, among others — and organizations of civil society, united hair commitment with a system more humane and restorative penal.

I am based on the principles of the APAC (Associação de Proteção e Assistência aos Condenados) method, the project offers philosophical and professional training to re-educates of the penitentiary system, allying responsibility and dignity in a process of interior reconstruction. The adaptation of Nova Acrópole happens through classroom meetings with topics such as freedom, human values ​​and virtues, spirituality and life in society — living dialogues, in which Philosophy is revealed as a tool of self-transformation.

After this stage, participants have access to professional courses — such as ceramic baking — promoted by partnership with institutions such as Senac ePronatec. The results fail in themselves: criminal recidivism close to 0% in the first year and close to 10% after two years, in contrast to the state average of 80%. The contribution of Nova Acrópole Cuiabá was remade by the Public Ministry with the Dimas Award, received for three years in a row, in tribute to the institutions that strengthen the social function of the Public Ministry.

Reconstructing Dreams Project: New Acropolis Cuiabá is honored with the third Dimas Prize for its contribution to social reintegration in Mato Grosso.

In a ceremony held on November 19 (2025), at the headquarters of the Promotorias de Justiça de Cuiabá, the Public Ministry of the State of Mato Grosso (MPMT) promoted the 3rd edition of the Dimas Prize, recognition aimed at institutions, volunteers and servants who have contributed significantly to the Reconstruindo project Sonhos. Nova Acrópole Cuiabá, active partner since 2021, is among those honored for its ethical and formative work alongside the penitentiary system.

The event brought together authorities, coordinators and representatives of public bodies and civil society, representing Nova Acrópole directly to Vinícius Negrão, reaffirming the collective commitment to a humanized, educational and restorative penal execution.

A criminal execution as a path of transformation

During the opening, the coordinator of the project, Justice Attorney Josane Fátima de Carvalho Guariente, highlighted that “a penalty must be an instrument of transformation”, he highlighted, citing the articles 1st and 4th of the Criminal Execution Law, which invites the society to actively participate in the process of reconstruction of the distressed.

The Attorney General of Justice, Rodrigo Fonseca Costa, reinforced that resocializing and also preventing recidivism and promoting public safety:

“Serving a sentence does not mean losing dignity. To avoid recidivism, we need to offer opportunities, education and hope.”

The mayor-general of MPMT, João Augusto Veras Gadelha, highlights the impact of collective work:

“When we join forces, we generate real impact. The Dimas Award is an invitation to prove that transforming realities is possible.”

Inspiring results

Since its inception, Reconstruindo Sonhos has reached 680 participants and presents indicators that confirm the transformative force of the initiative. Among the results disclosed, we highlight: 51% of the participants have never integrated a project into the penitentiary system; 99% affirm that they would recommend the program to other inmates; and 95% express the desire to, after the fulfillment of the shame, become voluntary collaborators so that other people also have access to the same opportunity to move.

Além disso, the rate of recidivism among the participants, after four years of execution, is barely 14%, a number much lower than the national average, which revolves around 40%. This means that 90% of those involved will not return to the prison system, evidencing concrete results in the reconstruction of lives and social reintegration.

A contribution from New Acropolis

As part of theMPMT, New Acrópole Cuiabá carries out formative meetings aimed at reflecting on ethics and strengthening human values. The school also actively participates in debates on the mental health of employees of the penitentiary system, contributing to initiatives that humanize the work environment and broaden understanding of the importance of values ​​in institutional care.

Philosophy in human service

Today in Reconstructing Sonhos, Nova Acrópole Cuiabá reaffirms its purpose of promoting Philosophy, Culture and Volunteering as instruments of social transformation. The ethical training offered expresses the conviction that true change begins within each individual and that, when touched by values.