ILOILO City – For persons deprived of liberty (PDL) at the Iloilo District Jail Male Dormitory in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, incarceration is not just about serving time; it’s about rebuilding lives.
Through a range of livelihood programs, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is equipping inmates with skills that prepare them for reintegration into society.
The facility’s warden, Jail Chief Inspector Mark Malhabour, underscored the transformative purpose of these initiatives: “Our jail is not a place of punishment but rehabilitation. We aim to prepare our PDL to become productive members of society.”
Among their most notable projects is the production of Christmas lanterns, or parol. With the holiday season approaching, the inmates are ramping up their efforts, targeting up to 800 orders this year.
Crafted with care, these lanterns — priced between P450 and P2,500 — show the creativity and industriousness of those behind bars.
The facility also boasts a thriving vegetable garden spanning 1,500 square meters, supported by seeds from the Department of Agriculture.
The PDL sell their fresh produce to visitors and the surrounding community, with bulk orders available. The income earned is used to support their families and, in some cases, fund their own needs.
Adding to their repertoire, a furniture shop operated by inmates produces mahogany furniture and handcrafted wall clocks.
The jail’s bakery also churns out bread for consumption within the facility and for sale outside, further boosting income opportunities for the inmates.
“These programs not only provide financial support to their families but also instill a sense of purpose among the PDL,” Malhabour said. “By helping them turn their lives around, we contribute to building a safer community.”
With 847 inmates currently engaged in these livelihood activities, the program shows the possibility of rehabilitation and redemption, offering a glimpse of a brighter future beyond the prison walls./PN
