The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology has implemented educational and livelihood programs for the 32,000 persons deprived of liberty who are serving jail terms at its facilities in Metro Manila.
The BJMP Public Information Office said it offers inmates both educational and livelihood programs as they serve their sentences.
"Yes, we both have educational and livelihood programs. The educational program is designed to give PDLs the tools they need to complete the required schooling," it said.
"This is why BJMP has implemented the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System for PDLs to help them graduate from primary and secondary school," it added.
Jail-based ALS classes are taught by BJMP staff who are certified educators familiar with the ALS Instructional Method.
Under the program, DepEd employees will give ALS seminars in jails that do not have staff members with the necessary training.
This is in accordance with Republic 10592, which provides that all PDL enrolled in the ALS are entitled to their allotted Time Allowance for Teaching, Studying, and Mentoring.
On the other hand, the livelihood program offers PDLs income-generating activities in jail, so they may sustain themselves and their family.
Capital for livelihood initiatives comes from the BJMP for BJMP-funded projects, or a group of PDL for non-BJMP projects.
The livelihood projects, including the making of paintings, bagmaking, bead products, baking, hair styling, cooking tutorials, pedicure and manicure, sewing, tailoring and weaving, masonry, mask making, rugmaking, carpentry, urban gardening, and diamond painting/rhinestone making, are popular livelihood projects among PDL.
The jail's Welfare and Development Officer helps the PDLs sell products in exhibition centers or livelihood caravans hosted by local government units and other service providers.
Recently, some 128 PDLs from the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory completed elementary and junior high school under the ALS program.
A total of 32 elementary graduates and 96 junior high school learners received their certificates of completion during the graduation and moving-up ceremony held inside the facility last August, the QCJFD said.
