ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — Innovative educational programs aimed at rehabilitating persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) here provided them with essential knowledge but also transformed their lives as they reintegrated into society.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Region 10 and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) have signed a memorandum of agreement to launch the College Education Behind Bars Program. This initiative aims to equip PDLs with essential skills and knowledge for reintegration into society, such as entrepreneurship, literacy, and craftsmanship, among others.
The Iligan City Jail—Male and Female Dormitory currently has 45 PDLs enrolled in this program.
MSU-IIT’s College of Computer Studies launched the “Tech Behind Bars” project at Iligan City Jail, which is part of the Behind the Bars Program. This digital reformation project’s design equips PDLs with digital skills to overcome the challenges of extended detention and limited access to technology. The goal is to ensure that they are prepared to reintegrate into a technology-dependent society and address digital security and social isolation.
In another initiative, the College of Economics, Business, and Accountancy of MSU-IIT, in collaboration with the Junior Economics Society, introduced a Financial Literacy Project to educate PDLs on managing their finances so that they will have financial independence.
Additionally, 33 PDLs at Iligan City Jail graduated from the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in partnership with the Department of Education. Of this, 12 completed elementary school, 20 finished junior high, and 1 completed senior high school.
“Salamat sa mga pumapasok dito sa amin na mga religions at mga livelihood dahil marami kaming natutunan. Salamat dahil may ALS at dito ako nakapatapos ng pag-aaral,” one of the PDLs who benefited from the programs said.
(Thank you to the religious groups and livelihood programs that visit us here because we have learned a lot. Thank you for the ALS program, as it has allowed me to complete my studies.)
Moreover, BJMP-10, with support from various organizations, has established 20 jail libraries, including a standard library at the Iligan City Jail—Male Dormitory, sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The Integrated Bar of the Philippines—Bukidnon Chapter has funded the establishment of another library at the Malaybalay City Jail.
In a related development, BJMP Iligan recently launched the ‘Higayon 2.0’ campaign at Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory to showcase its active rehabilitation and development programs.
One of the highlights of the Higayon campaign is Jess, a former political science student who, during his incarceration, committed himself to studying law. While in jail, he focused on learning law, using the time to prepare for future studies. Jess hopes to become a lawyer and has benefited from the Read Your Way Out project, which gives PDLs extra time for education through a partnership between the BJMP and the UNODC.
“The library gives us hope; it’s not just about passing time. It’s about passing through these walls,” Jess said in a Higayon campaign video.
The term ‘higayon,’ meaning ‘chance’ in Bisaya, highlights the campaign’s focus on providing second chances to PDLs and the importance of supportive systems in their reintegration into society. Combining online and offline efforts, the campaign aims to raise awareness and garner support for the jail’s dynamic rehabilitation programs, as it advocates for rehabilitation over punishment. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
