Being locked up in jail is a real challenge as it deprives one’s liberty. Yet, being able to go back to the community does not assure an easier life, as stigma, discrimination and lack of opportunities are hard slaps of reality from communities.
In November 2011, Task Force Katarungan at Kalayaan was created by Administrative Order No. 151 of the Supreme Court. This working body under the Supreme Court Committee for the Decongestion of Provincial, City, and Municipal Jails, chaired by Associate Justice Roberto Abad, was set up to monitor the status and conditions of detainees in Manila and take prompt action to ensure the protection of their rights and release from detention when warranted.
The Task Force Katarungan at Kalayaan aims to reduce the delay in trial proceedings, which leads to lengthy detention periods and overcrowding in jails. Decongesting the jails will improve the living conditions for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), develop a more favorable working environment for jail staff, and reduce the health risks for family members visiting inmates and other jail visitors.
The meeting objectives aim to establish collective action in promoting the rights of the PRLs through the discussion of the Second Chance Program, as well as gather informative and insightful comments, suggestions, and concerns of different stakeholders towards jail congestion efforts, parole and probation, and the continuous development of the Second Chance program.
The Second Chance program of Malabon is the first Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) focused reintegration program successfully implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR), and even in the Philippines. The City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) highlighted that the Executive Order (EO) is already on its third reading with the City Administration and soon will be signed by the Malabon Mayor – Hon. Jeannie Sandoval.
The EO is one of the results of the Focused Reintegration of Ex-Detainees (FRED) and the Jail Decongestion (JD) programs of HLAF. The said EO would be the first ordinance at the NCR that institutionalized the reintegration program of HLAF, promoting the welfare of the PRLs through life skills, livelihood, and skill-based training.
There were various assessment tools and training facilitated by HLAF at the barangay level to strengthen the promotion of the rights, welfare, and well-being of persons restored of liberty (PRL – formerly incarcerated) toward successful reintegration into their communities and families, as well as the facilitation of the creation of the second chance program in Malabon.
Malabon said that they were ready to facilitate the second chance program and monitor the progress and development of each PRL, and a Php 1,000,000.00 budget allocation already for 2024 under the Peace and Order and Public Safety Funds.
The meeting was held at RTC Branch 289 Malabon City and attended by the City Social Welfare and Development Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Male and Female dorms, Malabon Regional Trial Court, Office of the City Prosecutor, Public Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation Officer, and Barangay Niugan, Malabon City.
Executive Judge Hon. Rhoda Magdelene L. Mapile-Osinada, Malabon City RTC Branch 289 shared that she was grateful to HLAF “It was very enlightening and uplifts the spirit of everyone. From the viewpoint of the courts, we can see at some point that upon their (PDL) release, they can have a better life, and a better future with the help of the programs that the HLAF has spearheaded such as the Second Chance Program because the courts all share the mission and vision of HLAF”.
For HLAF, facilitating the task force in Malabon is a step toward promoting better access to justice for PDLs and former ones.
Rehabilitating persons restored of liberty is a crucial role in promoting an inclusive and safe society. Moreover, through related initiatives, creating positive hope and building the right path can bring light to these vulnerable people. Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) advocates and supports the PDL’s second chance at living a better life outside the jail through facilitating different programs especially programs that offer improvement and growth of the former PDLs quality of life.
Currently, Malabon City’s Second Chance program supports the PRLs’ access to employment opportunities, skills and livelihood training, and education which serves as a step toward equipping themselves with the life skills needed to be qualified for the community’s standards once again.
