Biases and prejudice are still present even in these times, whether inside or outside of prison. But the blaze of hope and the burning desire to stand and have a purpose count. Our PDLs may feel dismayed, hopeless, and powerless, yet volunteers and interns continue to lend a hand and choose to stand for them, for their rights and welfare.
We had an opportunity to interview one of the staff and a former intern of HLAF, Mr. Berl Dutosme. “Biases and Prejudice.” That’s what he had at first. Yet, as time went by and as he became part of the HLAF Jail Decongestion Program, his views changed. The story of Mr. Dutosme is a game-changer. A man who first had some biases and prejudice became the man who helped and created an impact on our PDLs.
Our PDLs have been vulnerable for a long time, but being humane is one way to help our PDLs because it takes a man to understand another man.’ Understanding more and humanizing stories, that’s what he did. Choosing to lend a hand and dedicating himself to creating an impact is something that everyone should be proud of. By challenging and shattering preconceived notions to highlight our PDLs stories, Mr. Dutosme has been a bridge in ensuring the real representation of PDLs in our society. Being able to live in their shoes, having to understand our PDLs spirit, and their stories, and just simply being a friend makes a huge difference.
His interest in understanding and his will to amplify the narratives of our PDLs is a huge leap. He mentioned that even his first meeting with them was the hardest. He’s still able to create a safe space, hear their stories, and discuss our justice system with them. Hope is light, that’s what Sir Berl said. He believed that no matter how dim the light was, there would always be a light. Interns can also be a spark of light for our PDLs, a hope. No matter how big or small the activity, it can still create an impact and perhaps change a life. Because small things matter.
I know that most people feel scared when they see or encounter a PDL. On the contrary, Mr. Dutosme had no fear. The feeling that emerged is the interest in being more understanding, helping, and amplifying the stories of our PDLs. He got the experience of being exposed to our PDLs. He even said that ‘I get to be inspired by their stories and I can say that iba parin Talaga Yung nakikipagdaupangpalad mo sila face to face, but the feeling is still the same because you get to be inspired eh, pero I’m thankful that I’m now working for and with HLAF and I get to experience jail visits now, so I get to see them face to face and I’m even more inspired to take a step further once I graduate from law school, so Maganda Yung exposure and Yung experience with HLAF.’
The experience that HLAF gave to his interns was a life changer. HLAF did not just give him the chance to simply be an intern, but HLAF allowed him to engage, be more hopeful, be open and be a spark of light for our PDLs. People continue to draw a line between our society and our PDLs. But there are also humans; they have rights. They did something wrong, but it’s not the end. We can help them, be a light, an inspiration to give them another chance to bounce back and be back on their feet.
