A new classroom inside the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Bansud District Jail in Oriental Mindoro is giving persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) a chance to continue their education and build a better future.

The 42-square-meter learning facility, called Silid-Kulay ng Pag-asa, was funded through proceeds from a Color Fun Run held on October 20, 2024.

BJMP-Bansud Acting District Jail Warden Jail Senior Inspector Nelmar Malimata hopes the new classroom will encourage more PDLs to enroll in the jail's Alternative Learning System (ALS) next school year.

“Providing them, [the PDLs], an opportunity to learn and continue their studies gives them a sense of purpose. It also has been instrumental to their rehabilitation, growth, and prevents recidivism or relapsing into criminal behavior,” Malimata said.

BJMP Mimaropa Information Officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo said similar classrooms have been built in other BJMP facilities, but he could not immediately confirm how many of the 19 jails in the region have dedicated learning spaces.

Anglo said establishing classrooms and activity areas benefits both PDL learners and their teachers.

“By expanding educational access, we are reinforcing our commitment to leave no one behind and creating meaningful change in the lives of PDLs,” he added.

BJMP has directed all wardens to provide spaces for ALS participants, allotting at least two hours a day, three to five days a week for the program.

As of this writing, 29 PDLs at BJMP-Bansud are enrolled in junior high school, while 23 are at the elementary level.

They are taught by jail officers with teaching backgrounds and ALS mobile teachers serving as instructional managers.

(with reports from JO3 Joefrie Anglo, IO-BJMP MIMAROPA)