BJMP eyes more college graduates
THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) is eyeing more college enrollees and graduates while in detention as it encourages persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to emphasize education in preparation for the time they get their release papers.
At present, the bureau has produced 19 graduates of the 425 enrollees in 25 facilities hosting its College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) program.
The BJMP has 446 jail facilities across the country.
Recently, the BJMP had a historic breakthrough in its education program where a first-ever graduation event was held at the Quezon City Female Dorm – producing 19 PDLs receiving diplomas in degrees of Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship.
On the other hand, the bureau’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) has a total of 131,312 PDL beneficiaries in both the elementary and secondary offerings.
In a press conference held at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Quezon City Wedneday, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera stressed how important college education is, to every PDL as it boosts their morale in looking for a job the moment they are freed.
Studies show that one of the reasons why inmates tend to return to their old ways once released is the lack of available sources of income being an “ex-detainee.”
BJMP chief Director Ruel Rivera has included in his priorities the so-called “after-care” program which allows every PDL to land decent work by coordinating with government agencies to accommodate them “not as a former inmate but as a qualified applicant”.
During the press briefing, Bustinera also enumerated BJMP’s accomplishments under President Marcos Jr’s 10 priorities of national re-opening, infrastructure development, fiscal discipline, transparent and efficient governance.