Discrimination and prejudice are still present even in these times, whether inside or outside of prison. Hence, this is the reason why some of our PDLs lose hope and just give up. They have fought for years and are still fighting to create a world devoid of bias, inequity, stereotypes, and discrimination.
HLAF has been a bridge in ensuring the genuine representation of PDLs in our society—a means of challenging and breaking conventional notions to amplify their narratives. HLAF has been consistent for years, awakening and inspiring people and also our PDLs.
The HLAF (Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation Inc.) is a non-government and non-profit organization in the Philippines that helps People Deprive form Liberty whose further extended their assistance, last June 2022, HLAF visited different jails in region 7 allowed the HLAF Jail Decongestion Team to meet and have a conversation with some of our PDLs. They heard a lot of inspiring stories. There’s this woman who at first felt that it was the end for her, but because of HLAF Paralegal Training, a ray of hope emerged. The program has been an avenue for her to not just learn and help herself, but also to help others. She said that she had a conversation once with her co-inmate who didn’t know how to read or even write. She doesn’t even have an idea about her case. But because of the knowledge that she gained from the paralegal training; she was able to lend a helping hand.
Jails handled by HLAF are seen to be more active in terms of the attitude of the PDL, most of them are afraid of facing their lawyers but right after the HLAF paralegal training they become more confident and it also changes the relationship with their jail officer. The visit of the jail decongestion in region 7 especially in the city jail women dormitory is an as successful one that opened a new beginning and hope.
People inside prison often lose hope, but HLAF allowed them to learn and be more knowledgeable. For others, it’s just simple readings, handouts, and powerpoints, but because of those simple things, a difference was made and the knowledge that was instilled in them was priceless.
“Nung una akala nila parang huli na ang lahat, hindi na sila makakalabas,” that’s what our PDLs felt before the paralegal training. The daily fight for survival between where and how they are going to stand has been a long battle for them, but because of the ray of hope that HLAF gave them, someone has been inspired to pursue law, continue studying, and help his co-PDLs. They were dismayed and powerless for a long time, but HLAF gave them the power of knowledge. 15 days or 60 hours is not just a simple learning experience for them, it’s a life changer.
‘Preso yan, ayoko ko dyan’ Even if others look down on them, even if others stigmatize and judge them. They’re still hopeful, doing their best to get back on their own feet. HLAF’s Paralegal Program helps a lot. It boosts their confidence, and improves their relationship with the jail officers. Our PDLs can help their co-PDLs, especially those who’re asking how to process their cases, those in full bargain and looking for provisions.
People keep on creating a wide margin in our society. They have been hurdled for years. They entered the jail not knowing their case, not understanding it, and losing hope. And who would imagine that, because of HLAF, a PDL could also help his co-PDL be released?
