The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lauds the Manila City Government for investing in the education of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). A three-storey school building was constructed inside the Manila City Jail to provide PDLs with quality education while serving their sentences to help them become productive citizens upon their release and eventual reintegration into society.

Prior to the construction of the school building, the PDLs had a modular learning set up within their jail cells. Under the new school, officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology who have teaching backgrounds will be supervising and monitoring the students’ classes from 9:00 AM to 12:00 NN.

As the lead agency in the Interim National Preventive Mechanism, the CHR consistently supports actions that will help improve the well-being and situation of PDLs. The construction of school for PDLs is in line with Rule 4 of the Mandela Rules or the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which provides that the period of imprisonment should “be used to ensure, so far as possible, the reintegration of such persons into society upon release so that they can lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life.”

According to Manila City Jail warden Supt. Elena Rocamora, the learning facility will have a “school-feel” mode that includes proper uniforms and free school supplies to those enrolled. Currently, 27.8% of the total inmate population is enrolled in high school, while 16.22% are in elementary.

Providing PDLs an opportunity to learn and/or continue their studies gives them sense of purpose. It also contributes to their rehabilitation, growth, and prevents recidivism or relapsing into criminal behavior, which are essential elements of restorative justice. CHR is hopeful that more correctional facilities will follow suit and find ways to uphold a more human rights-based approach towards incarceration. ###