BuCor promotes faith-based rehab for PDLs

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Saturday said it is actively promoting faith-based rehabilitation programs as a vital component of restorative rehabilitation for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

BuCor said the faith-based approach aims to support the transformation of inmates' identities and promote human flourishing through spiritual growth. 

The agency said BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. highlighted these insights during his participation in the recent International Research in Corrections Conference held from March 2 to 5, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand.

One key finding shared by Catapang was that prisoners who participated in faith-based programs showed significantly greater progress toward restorative rehabilitation compared to those who did not engage in these initiatives. 

“Their increased religious involvement — particularly their enhanced relationship with Jesus Christ and active participation in religious practices — contributed to this positive transformation,” said Catapang.

The BuCor chief added that spiritual engagement facilitated identity transformation and encouraged behaviors aligned with human flourishing, suggesting that faith-based programs play a critical role in genuine rehabilitation.

Moreover, inmates who made demonstrable progress in restorative rehabilitation reported lower tendencies toward aggressive behavior against fellow prisoners who wronged them, according to the BuCor.

The bureau added that the finding contrasts with those who did not advance in their rehabilitation, illustrating that spiritual growth and restorative principles can reduce violence within correctional facilities.

By fostering empathy, forgiveness, and personal accountability, faith-based programs help create safer environments conducive to healing and reintegration, it said.

The BuCors said its endorsement of faith-based rehabilitation aligns with a global movement recognizing the importance of holistic approaches to correctional reform. —VAL, GMA News