The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) MIMAROPA continues to support the education of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who are in various jail facilities across the region.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, July 30, BJMP-MIMAROPA Assistant Regional Director for Operations Jail Superintendent Ray L. De Luna emphasized their interventions to ensure PDLs can continue their education.
“Kung ang PDL natin ay hindi nakapag-aral, o hindi nakapagtapos ng elementary at high school, sa loob ng ating jail facility napagkakalooban natin sila ng edukasyon,” De Luna stated.
(If our PDLs could not study or complete elementary and high school, we provide them with education within our jail facilities.)
According to BJMP MIMAROPA, 283 PDLs have graduated from secondary school through the Alternative Learning Systems program in collaboration with the Department of Education, a significant increase from the 59 graduates in 2022. Also, 278 PDLs have completed skills training programs offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. Both education and skills training are offered free by the government to PDLs.
Currently, approximately 2,131 PDLs are detained in the region’s facilities, according to Bustillos, with a congestion rate of 122 percent, which is lower than in other regions.