Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) have undergone interviews and evaluations for possible parole, according to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Parole is the conditional release of a PDL who has served the minimum period of their prison sentence.

The BuCor said in a statement that the interviews and evaluations were conducted by the Department of Justice-Parole and Probation Administration (DoJ-PPA) Regional Office VIII, led by chief probation officer Jo Ann A. Dacera.

It added that the assessment ensures that PDLs meet the necessary legal and behavioral criteria before being granted parole.

The interviews and evaluations focused on “reviewing their conduct, rehabilitation progress, and readiness to reintegrate into society,” the statement said.

“By conducting these pre-parole evaluations, the DoJ-PPA aims to strengthen its commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and public safety,” it added.

The BuCor released 525 PDLs last January, including 31 who were granted parole.

In other developments, PDLs in the Puerto Princesa City Jail’s male dormitory are actively participating in artistic pursuits as a means of self-expression and personal growth, with support from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Fifteen PDLs are finding solace in speech choir as part of the “Tinig ng Pagbabago — An Exhibition of Artistic Skills and Talent Through Speech Choir” program.

Speech choir is a group performance of choral recitation where tone, rhythm, and expression are used to effectively convey a message or emotion without singing.

Jail officer 1 Neil Factura, the male dormitory’s skills, sports and cultural head, said that participation in the arts contributes to the mental well-being of the PDLs and fosters positive character development.

“This has been their means of expression. It is mentally hard inside the jail, but they have managed after finding solace in art. And we believe art can lift our spirits and help develop our character,” Factura said on Tuesday.

The initiative aims to assist them in becoming productive members of society, according to BJMP information officer jail officer 3 Joefrie Anglo.

Anglo said that participation in the arts helps to prevent PDLs from re-offending.

“As long as you are willing to learn, you will learn a lot while in jail. And immersing them in the arts and recreational activities helps them fight the urge to do illegal activities again,” he said.

The activity aligns with the observance of the International Day of Prevention of Violent Extremism and Terrorism on 12 February. Its goal is to highlight the transformational potential of art in promoting peace and assisting the rehabilitation process of PDLs.