Fifteen persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the male dormitory of the Puerto Princesa City Jail are engaging in creative endeavors as a form of expressing themselves and personal development.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the agency overseeing custodial institutions, is backing this to help the PDLs reintegrate into society and reduce recidivism.
As part of the “Tinig ng Pagbabago-An Exhibition of Artistic Skills and Talent Through Speech Choir” program, PDLs find comfort in speech choir, a choral recitation that uses rhythm, expression, and tone to convey meaning.
Jail Officer 1 Neil Factura, the male dormitory’s skills, sports, and cultural head, pointed out the positive impact of arts on mental well-being and 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 could lift our spirits up and help develop our character,” said Factura.
The aim of the initiative, according to BJMP information officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, is to assist them in becoming productive members of society.
Anglo said that participation in the arts helps to prevent the PDLs from committing crimes again.
“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 help them fight the urge of doing illegal activities again,” he said.
The activity is in line with the observance of the International Day of Prevention of Violent Extremism and Terrorism on 12 February. Its goal is to bring attention to the transformational potential of art in promoting peace and assisting the rehabilitation process of PDLs.
