Prepared by the Core Group of the Foundation
Headed by: PSUPT CATALINO A MALINAO
Office of the Assistant Director for Prison and Security
New Bilibid Prison, Bureau of Corrections, 2009
THE PROPOSED FOUNDATION:
INNOVATIVE IN-CARE AND AFTERCARE
REHABILITATION PROGRAMS
Table of Contents
Introductory Insights .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 02
BuCor Rehabilitation Programs
2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . 03
Model .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . 04
Synthesis and Gap Bridged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . 04
Recommendation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
The Proposed Foundation .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
Benefits of the Foundation .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
Project Development
Plan . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
Financial Study .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
Sustainability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
Targets and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
Pledges of Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Introductory Insights
Ex-convicts, are they the “termites” of our society? Do they deserve a second chance?
“The Criminal Justice System in the
In the U.S., the issue of recidivism is considered as a major concern among the Americans. Based from past patterns, of the 65,000 prisoners in the United States who were released from confinement in 2007, half of them would be back behind bars in 3 years time due to the difficulty in obtaining jobs, education and housing, as well as the social stigma as “ex-convicts.” Thus a law that would provide crucial help to people who have paid their debts to society, sponsored by Rep. Danny Davis, and signed by the U.S. President on April 9, 2008, became Public Law No: 110-199 entitled “Second Chance Act of 2007: Community Safety Through Recidivism Prevention.”
In the local scene, a similar bill
filed by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. is now being discussed at the
Senate’s committee level, such as the Former Prisoners’ Employment Act of
2007: An Act Instituting the Former Prisoners’ Employment Program, and
Appropriating Funds Therefor. (SBN-114 June
30, 2007).
Statistics from the Management Division, Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) shows that from the total prisoners admitted in 2008, 16% were recidivist, which is an increase of 52% in 2008 (909 recidivists) as compared to 2007 (596 recidivists), is indeed a serious concern, coupled with the slow rate of releases as compared to admission.
The Philippine Corrections is undeniably facing daunting challenges, ranging from the exploding prison population to inadequate prison facilities and medicines. Majority of the inmates came from the poorest society with poor standard of education, untennable social environment, very low moral standard, and so on. They and their families could barely make both ends meet. Poverty and the lack of education are actually the main factors that led them to commit their crimes.
The BuCor has a total population of 34,547 inmates as of December 31, 2008, with an annual growth of 5% and a congestion rate of 70%. Majority of the inmates were male under the age bracket of 22 – 39 years of age amounting to 63.5% of the total male inmate population. Crimes against persons (ie murder and homicide) ranks number 1 among crimes commonly committed by national prisoners (52%), followed by Crimes Against Chastity (18%) and these figures are manifested in our admission records for the last 10 years. National prisoners confined at the seven (7) operating prison and penal farms of the Bureau of Corrections are classified as: Maximum Security (67.60%); Medium Security (25.54%); and Minimum Security ( 6.86%). Noticeably, majority of the inmates falls under the Maximum Security Category.
BuCor Rehabilitation Programs
2008
The BuCor at present undertakes 6 “faces” and “phases” of rehabilitation programs in all its prison camps, these rehabilitation programs are as follows:
1) Moral and Spiritual Programs
2) Education and Training Programs
3) Work and Livelihood Programs
4) Sports and Recreation Programs
5) Health and Welfare Programs
6) Therapeutic Community Programs for Drug Offenders.
Of the present “faces” and “phases” of rehabilitation programs of the BuCor, concerns were focused on education and livelihood programs. Majority of inmates lack education. They are strongly encouraged to enroll while serving their sentence. Prison education amounts to remedial schooling designed to prepare inmates to obtain basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics. A total of 3,390 inmate-students were enrolled in formal and non-formal education for 2008 as compared to 5,666 in 2007, or a deviation of 40% less enrollees. Only 941 graduated in 2008 as compared to 1,162 who graduated in 2007, again a deviation of 19% less graduates.
Graduates of the different courses rarely find jobs inside the prison camp. Skills acquired while in incarceration are rarely converted to livelihood profession. Many still pursue further studies, not to gain more knowledge or skills, but simply to avoid being sent to penal colonies.
Vocational training and social education focus on job readiness. Vocational programs are incorporated into job assignments and serve as on-the-job training. There were a total of 11,686 inmate-workers under the BuCor’s Work Program receiving compensation or at an employment rate of 34% from previous year’s 28%, of which 2,920 were from the New Bilibid Prison most working at Pilco, Samsung and Agro. Inmate compensation has helped them in their basic necessities, though not comparable with salaries of workers in the free society. Work conditions likewise, may not be similar to those experienced outside of the prison camps. Nonetheless, inmates still strive to make a living.
At the New Bilibid Prison, there were 18,889 regular attendees in religious activities, while 9,519 inmates participated in various sports and recreation activities in 2008. There were 116 participants for the Therapeutic Community Program for drug offenders.
While the In-Care Rehabilitation Programs of the BuCor are without a doubt, helpful, the important questions are: “Are these programs enough to guarantee a second chance of life for released prisoners?”or simply put “Will these provide the needed jobs, livelihood, and income-generating opportunities for released prisoners?” And also “Was the community in particular and the mainstream society in general, made aware by these programs so that prisoners are given a second chance?” This coupled with the stigma of being an “ex-convict” that impacts heavily on the chances to obtain work, or be trusted for financial assistance, or be accepted by the society. Prisoners who were released on Parole need jobs, as stipulated in one of the conditions of their Parole, have a hard time finding jobs. Most of them have casual jobs or odd jobs with no fixed income for their survival. Thus, they are forced by circumstances to go back to their nefarious activities for their survival, and as a consequence, are put behind bars once again.
This problem is shared, prompting correctional institutions in many countries to develop and undertake “doable” aftercare programs as well as dynamically improving their present rehabilitation efforts into wholistic reformation programs. Correctional Organizations such as the APCCA, and the ICPA, collectively, are doing their share through conferences, seminars and workshops, and exchange of information to address the many issues on correctional administration.
Those with established aftercare programs in the Asian and Pacific region, are the correctional institution of: Singapore, Fiji, Sri Lanka, and Korea
Model
The in-care and aftercare program of the Singapore Prison Service (or SPS), standout as a model in this regards because of its remarkable achievements. Recidivism, in their definition as the percentage of released cohort who re-offend and return to prison, is a key indicator for SPS. They made serious tracking of the trends of recidivism since 1998. SPS records showed that: From the 44% for the batch released in 1998, the recidivism rate fell to an all time low of 23.7% for the cohorts released in 2004. The decline could be largely attributed to their aftercare program in collaboration with the CARE Network (Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders) which was formed in 2000 and composed of 8 major community and government organizations, to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation of ex-offenders.
In 2000, CARE spearheaded an aftercare program dubbed as the “Yellow Ribbon Project” or YRP, and was officially launched in October, 2004 by no less than Singapore President, S.R. Nathan himself. CARE was able to raise the awareness of the community towards the difficulties faced by released prisoners and their loved ones during the journey to reintegration. The YRP helped ex-offenders and their families through employment assistance, social and financial assistance, counseling and support services, network agencies, and halfway houses.
Other countries such as Fiji, Sri Lanka and Korea, initiated their similar aftercare programs using the Singapore Model. In Fiji, the first Yellow Ribbon Project was launched on October 11, 2008 by the Fiji Prisons and Corrections Service. In Sri Lanka, according to the Report of Major General Vajira Wijeyagoonawardana, Commissioner General of Prisons, using the concept “The Prisoners are Human Beings in our Society” was a success.
Synthesis and Gap Bridged
Looking into the present situation of released prisoners, here are some of its realities:
1) The stigma of being branded as “Ex-convicts” is not socially accepted in their respective communities;
2) The community-at-large is hesitant to give “Ex-convicts” a second chance;
3) Their attempts to experience a normal life, are fraught with difficulties because they are shackled by their criminal records;
4) They need jobs to support themselves and their families;
5) They are often turned away from job opportunities as soon as their past convictions are revealed.
Likewise, their predicaments extend beyond themselves, because these affect their families as well. Their families do not only suffer the economic deprivation and emotional strain of losing a bread-winner and care-giver, they also have to cope with the stigma of being closely associated with an “ex-convict”.
At present, the country does not have any law or legislation to support the welfare and well-being of released prisoners and their families, nor is there any program to create community awareness, compassion and understanding in giving released prisoners their second chance. Considering that there are so many agencies in the Philippine Correctional System handling the so-called rehabilitative and aftercare programs, are the prisoners given the needed in-care programs for them to reform? Are they given the much needed aftercare programs likewise? Granting that there are programs for prisoners and for released prisoners, these efforts are simply not enough to transform them, much less give them a second chance of life.
Other countries, more particularly the Asean neighbors have addressed these concerns and problems, and are way ahead as compared to the Philippines. They have become model countries in terms of giving ex-offenders their second chance through their rehabilitative and aftercare programs. Nevertheless, these efforts alone will not be adequate in the long run. The community plays an important part in helping to create a stable social environment where amenable released prisoners and their families can feel a sense of belonging and find the hope to start afresh. Hence, there was a need for a concerted and coordinated approach towards creating awareness, generating acceptance and inspiring action within the community to support rehabilitation and reintegration of released prisoners. To achieve this, projects such as the Yellow Ribbon Project was conceived to spread the message of offering forgiveness and second chances towards released prisoners amongst the community.
Recommendation
Innovative “In-Care and Aftercare Programs” be undertaken as a complimentary and augmented program for the effective rehabilitation and transformation of inmates during their incarceration as well as for released prisoners. These are designed to stop the high incidence of recidivism by giving a second chance, a new lease of life, a new hope for a bright future to released prisoners to become productive, responsible and law-abiding citizens. Considering the meager resources and budget of the present administration for the BuCor, a lead organization in partnership with the BuCor is recommended to augment their rehabilitation programs. This organization should be able to work closely with concerned government agencies and non-government organizations, as well as to draw attention, interest and solicit support from the public and private sector. The organization shall help to create links between released prisoners with their families and the community as it firmly believes in engaging the community to help released prisoners integrate back into the society through acceptance and employment. Rehabilitation can only be truly effective with the understanding and support of the community. Thus the proposed creation of the foundation is recommended.
This is in response to the BuCor’s call to “Reach Out and Give Second Chance, the Way to restore the dignity of our Inmates.” It addresses the short, medium and long-term concerns needed for this country to be at par with Asean neighbors, through concerted efforts by concerned volunteer organizations, from the public and private sectors.
The Proposed Foundation
That the proposed FOUNDATION shall be a special non-stock, non-profit organization primarily composed of volunteer officials of the Bureau of Corrections and dedicated inmate-leaders from the various camps of the New Bilibid Prison, who will undertake the development and implementation of the “In-Care and Aftercare Programs”
Its Mission Statement on Inmates: “To inspire and motivate inmates to reform; to provide and impart work opportunities and skills training on income-generating projects for gainful employment or productive undertakings, in order to become responsible and law-abiding members of the mainstream society once released from incarceration.”
Its Mission Statement on the Community-at-Large: “To advocate for society’s awareness, compassion and acceptance towards released prisoners and their families’ reintegration as part of the community in the spirit of reconciliation and understanding.”
To achieve its mission on the Community-at-Large, Governmental Organizations (GOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Religious Volunteer Organizations (RVOs), Civic Organizations and others, shall be tapped to achieve the purposes of the Foundation.
Its Vision Statement: “To achieve community acceptance in reaching out and giving second chance, as the way to restore the dignity of inmates and released prisoners for them to become fruitful citizens of the society.”
Its Mandate: “To eradicate the stigma of released prisoners who are branded as Ex-convicts”
Benefits of the
Foundation
How will the Foundation benefit and involve the general public?
Philippines can benefit greatly from the innovative programs in the transformation of released prisoners as it will lessen the burden on taxpayers through reducing re-offending rates and will ensure that this country shall be a safe place to live.
The Foundation shall help to create links between released prisoners with their families and the community as it firmly believes in engaging the community to help released prisoners integrate back into the society through acceptance and employment. Rehabilitation can only be truly effective with the understanding and support of the community.
What are the benefits to inmates and released prisoners who are the
beneficiaries of the Foundation?
Inmates who pass through the screening and management process to be the Foundation’s beneficiaries will benefit from a seamless transition between in-care and after-care. Coordinators will oversee this transition and provide a customized program for them that best suits their needs and their families needs.
Inmates and Released prisoners will benefit from innovative and effective rehabilitation initiatives designed to aid their transition to become productive member of the society.
How would the Foundation benefit its partner – the Bureau of
Corrections?
The Foundation would certainly benefit the Bureau of Corrections in many ways: the innovative courses that shall be developed or enhanced, the teachings and training that shall be taught to inmate-beneficiaries, the employment and livelihood opportunities while in incarceration, job placement and income-generating opportunities for released prisoners, the advocacy to the community-at-large for understanding and acceptance, and minimizing, if not to completely eradicate recidivism. In order words, transformation!
The Foundation can source and provide the necessary funding for worthy projects initiated by the Bureau of Corrections in its mandate and efforts to rehabilitate prisoners in its commitment of “Keep on reaching out, give second chance and restoring the dignity of inmates”.
The Foundation shall be the “missing link” needed by the Bureau of Corrections and the Parole and Probations authorities in erasing the stigma of being branded as “Ex-convicts”.
Project Development Plan
Key Aims of the Foundation: One of the key aims of the Foundation is to raise the awareness of the Philippine Community towards difficulties faced by Released Prisoners & their loved ones, during the journey towards reintegration. Governmental, Non-Governmental and Religious Volunteer Organizations shall be tapped to achieve the purposes of the Foundation.
Government and Non-Government Organizations:
That the foundation shall work closely with Governmental Organizations (GOs), such as:
the Office of the President (OP)
the Department of Justice (DOJ),
the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP),
the Parole and Probations Administration (PPA),
the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),
the Department of Education (DEPED),
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED),
the Commission on Human Rights (CHR),
the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE),
the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD),
as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), such as:
the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI),
the Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce,
the Civic-Action Organizations: Rotary Club, Lions Club, Jaycees, and others
NGOs and Foundations, both local and international,
as well as Religious Volunteer Organizations (RVOs).
Phases of the Foundation:
That the foundation shall be divided into 3 phases, namely:
1) SEC Registration Phases
2) Initial Operational Phase
3) Full Operational Phase
Upon approval of the Director of Corrections, the following shall be undertaken:
1. Funding Requirements for SEC Registration and its subsequent registration:
2. Management Concerns and the finalization of the Project Development Plan
3. Acquisition of Assets & Appropriation of Funding for Opex
4. Courseware Development
5. Training for Trainors / Instructors and accreditation to TESDA
6. Website Development and Hosting
7. Tri-Media Production and Public Relations
8. Employers Sourcing
9. Screening of Inmate-Beneficiaries
10. Formal Launching of the Foundation
For the purpose of this study, the Foundation has envisioned projects and programs into three categories:
1) Short Term Projects
2) Medium Term Projects
3) Long Term Projects
Financial Study
The initial funding or seed money required for the SEC registration of the proposed FOUNDATION shall come from voluntary contribution by BuCor Officials and various inmate-volunteers and leaders, who may or may not be the main proponents of the FOUNDATION, amounting to ONE MILLION PESOS (P1,000,000.00).
The initial “seed money” shall be appropriated / utilized for:
1. SEC Registration, Filing/Processing Fees, Permits, Licenses, BIR, etc.
2. Core Team Management/Organizational Expenses Incurred
3. Assets Acquisition (Investments) & Initial Operating Expense (Opex)
4. Courseware Development & Training of Trainors / Instructors for Accreditation to TESDA (including research & development, establishment of training centers)
5. Website Development and Hosting (including domain name registration, internet access, web and email hosting services)
6. Tri-Media Production and Public Relations (including advertisements)
7. Support initial fund-raising initiatives thru short-term projects and programs
This is aside from donors, sponsors and other contributors who have expressed their desires to fund projects of the FOUNDATION after its registration.
Proposed Fund Allocation from
contributions, donations and sponsorships:
Fund allocation from such contributions, donations and sponsorships shall then be channeled, appropriated and focused on the following Programs:
- Publicity & Community Acceptance (Social and Awareness Program) 30%
- Courseware Development & Training for Deployment (Employment Assistance Program) 35%
- Courseware Development & Training for Entrepreneurship (Financial Assistance Program) 15%
- Halfway Houses and Community Development (Counseling and Support Services Program) 20%
Proposed Funding to sustain
the projects and programs of the Foundation:
The Foundation shall maintain its financial liquidity and solvency through careful financial management of funds, wherein there would be a balance of disbursements and funds generated from varied sources. Self-reliant projects and programs (to include various fund raising projects) are encouraged.
A projected five-year financial statement shall be prepared by the CORE Group, upon completion of all the details of the Foundation’s projects and programs (Medium-term, and Long-term).
Sustainability
For the foundation to successfully fulfill its missions and achieve its vision, continuous sustenance funding is required to fuel the foundation. These could be easily achieved thru income-generating programs and projects spearheaded by the foundation or in partnership with the public and private sectors, aside from the usual and steady support and donations from donors, RVOs, GOs and NGOs.
Income-generating programs and projects include: services, products & produce, work and livelihood programs, small and medium scale businesses, cause-oriented fund-raising projects and other income-generated programs and projects.
It is also proposed that released prisoners / inmate-beneficiaries gives back a certain percentage by way of tithings to the foundation to support their fellow brothers who are still undergoing rehabilitation programs.
Targets and Goals
The Foundation firmly believe that with the innovative transformation program completed by inmate-beneficiaries, could give them gainful employment.
Moreso, the employers themselves shall also be benefited, considering that they are employing rehabilitated employees with skills, employers can be assured that:
1. Released prisoners (most of them under Parole) shall not join labor unions that advocate violence and strikes or work stoppage. (Walang welga)
2. The skills acquired can be put into good use at par with the regular workers.
3. They are trained to work peaceably with one another.
4. They shall not create trouble within the work premises (Conditions of Parole)
5. They shall not commit absenteesm or tardiness
6. They shall do their best to stay on to their jobs, considering that its their “second chance”
The contributions and collaborations by the Foundation shall play a very significant role in the ongoing rehabilitation programs of the Bureau of Corrections.
The Foundation shall work on, support, or lobby legislative measures / bills on the granting of tax incentives to companies who shall hire released prisoners.
In the near future, the foundation shall showcase “Model Inmates, and Model Ex-Offenders” as well as “Employers’ Recognitions” on a yearly basis coinciding with the annual shareholders’ meeting of the foundation.
Eventually, after its Full Operational Phase, the foundation shall cater to all the other operating prison and penal farms of the Bureau of Corrections, and to the various city, provincial and municipal jails.
Pledges of Support
Inmates from the different Camps (Maximum, Medium, Minimum, RDC) of the New Bilibid Prison have pledged their support for the creation and operation of the foundation, through the inmate-leaders and elders representing the different brotherhood groups and organizations within the New Bilibid Prison. Officials and employees of the Bureau of Corrections likewise have also signified their support. Various religious volunteer organizations, civic organizations, government and non-governmental organizations and foundations have also pledged their support.
Epilogue
For the Philippines, as a nation to move forward, everyone should work together and help one another, in order to make this country prosperous and a safe place to live.
With the BuCor leadership, dedicated employee-volunteers and inmate-volunteers working together under the provident guidance and hand of the Almighty God, praying that all these endeavor through the Foundation is indeed God’s Plan of Salvation to His “misguided children” inside the National Penintentiary, to transform themselves into a God-centered, family-oriented, self-reliant, useful and productive inmates, thus achieving the BuCor’s goal of bringing back the dignity of inmates.
Yes indeed, released prisoners who will be transformed by our innovative rehabilitation programs, deserve their second chance, as they are transformed from “termites” to “hard-working ants”, thus eradicating the stigma of being branded as “Ex-convicts.” That their time spent during their “schooling & training” (instead of incarceration) was wholistic and a worthy experience, as they would eventually “graduate” (instead of release) with honor and dignity, armed with all knowledge and skills to face the new hope and bright future, knowing that they have been forgiven and that the community have accepted them with all compassion and understanding. After all, they also are God’s creation.
References:
Researched
Materials
1. Second Chance
Act of 2007 – Rep. Danny Davis, U.S. Congress
2. Former
Prisoners’ Employment Act of 2007 – Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr., Senate
3. Model: Yellow
Ribbon Project – from CARE Network, Singapore Prison Service
4. Singapore,
Fiji, Sri Lanka, Korea Reports – from APCCA Report
5. Legality: Jailhouse Corporation – from
the Philippine Daily Inquirer Corporate Securities Info Section dated January
9, 2009 written by Associate Commissioner of the Security and Exchange
Commission Raul J. Palabrica.
6. Courseware
Development – from Interactive Learning Series and TESDA
7. Website,
Tri-Media Production and Formal Launching Concepts and Mechanics – from BuCor
Multimedia Production Office
8. BuCor
Statistics, Targets and Goals – NBP inmate population, – from Management
Division, BuCor
The
CORE Group is composed of the following:
1) PS1 Catalino A
Malinao as Presiding Officer, from the Office of the Assistant Director for
Prison and Security, Bureau of Corrections
2) Zenaida Hierco,
Chief, Documents Section, Bureau of Corrections
3) Zoe Rosario Guino,
Parole and Probations Administration Office
4) David Allen
Uy, Head Coordinator, from the Office of the Director
5) Oscar Timbol,
RDC
6) Cornelio
Carmona Jr., MSC (IAC Chairman)
7) Michael Nunez,
MSC
8) James Andrew
S. Uy, NBP-Max
9) Venancio A.
Rojas Jr., NBP-Max
10) Rolando V Maclang,
NBP-Max (Vanguards)
11) Warren
Zingapan, NBP-Max (LOG)
12) Avelino T.
Javellana, NBP-Max (Kakusa)
13) Allan Khor,
NBP-Max
14) Choi Ping
Ching, NBP-Max
15) Expedito
Perlas, Min (IAC Chairman)
Adviser: COL JULIO A ARCIAGA (PAF Ret.),
Assistant Director for Prison and Security
Consultants:
PSUPT Bartolome R Bustamante, Head Executive
Assistant, Office of the Director;
Mrs. Teodora Diaz, Chief Admin, Office of the
Director;
Captain Crispin J Ramos (PN Ret.), BuCor Consultant;
and
Mr. Rollo Alarcon, BuCor Consultant.
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