BJMP targets Eastern Visayas inmates’ college education

PALO, Leyte — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Eastern Visayas is reviewing its existing partnerships with various state colleges and universities in the region to explore the possibility of college education for qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in different jails.

BJMP regional director Jail Senior Superintendent Bernardo Sanchez said the major thrust for 2025 is the implementation of the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) program in various facilities in Eastern Visayas.

The CEBB program — which originated in Davao City Jail — allows PDLs to pursue a college-level education. Units earned through this program can be used as academic credits when they enroll in schools after their release.

Sanchez said there is a strong demand from PDLs who have completed their Alternative Learning System (ALS) studies to pursue a college degree.

“Our ALS mobile teachers feel disheartened to see their students complete their studies but remain incarcerated. Most of these learners have expressed their desire to continue their education up to the college level,” Sanchez said.

Almost all jail facilities in the region have ALS programs in partnership with the Department of Education and have produced graduates eligible for college. In Sogod, Southern Leyte, the municipal jail even offers regular junior and senior high school.

BJMP has existing partnerships with state colleges and universities like Northwest Samar State University, Biliran Province State University and Eastern Visayas State University.

However, these partnerships currently focus on vocational and skills enhancement training for PDLs.

“We aim to elevate these partnerships to include CEBB next year or within two years,” Sanchez said.

A recent assessment was conducted at Northwest Samar State University to determine the feasibility of offering short courses like midwifery or entrepreneurship.

A team from BJMP and Biliran Province State University, including a college dean and professor, recently visited Davao City Jail and Davao Penal Colony to benchmark their CEBB program implementation.