Jail inmates find hope, confidence in English course
ILIGAN CITY—With a quiet smile and clutching a certificate, Niñol, stood among the 27 completers of the English Enrichment Course ran by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) here for its inmates, also called Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs).
They were recognized on Dec. 12 as the course wrapped up, with Niñol proudly sharing how it gave him more than just a better grasp of grammar and a wider vocabulary—but also a voice.
“Before, I felt voiceless,” Niñol said, recalling the difficulty of expressing himself in a second language that often felt distant and challenging. “Now, I can share my thoughts with confidence. This course reminded me that learning is possible even here, and that my future can still be bright.”
Niñol was part of a class composed of 16 other male PDLs and 10 female PDLs of the Iligan City Jail.
Held within the jail facilities, the EEC was conducted for several weeks. Participants learned the basics of English grammar, practiced conversational dialogues, wrote short essays and honed their reading comprehension.
They were taught how to introduce themselves, construct sentences and deliver short speeches—skills that could help them not only in everyday interactions but prepare them for life after incarceration.
‘Rehabilitation works’
For Angeline Dinoro, who headed the project, Friday’s closing ceremony was a testament to the power of learning, proving that “aside from being mere words, language is a bridge to dignity, opportunity, and hope.”
It was also a milestone made possible because “our PDLs showed discipline and determination,” said Jail Senior Inspector Carmelo Corsame, head of the male dormitory. “This achievement is proof that rehabilitation works when we invest in their growth.”
Jail Inspector Krizza Jane Bermudo of the female dormitory echoed the sentiment: “These women demonstrated strength and eagerness to learn. Their success inspires us to continue supporting programs that uplift and empower.”
The EEC forms part of the “Behind the Bars” Program, a partnership between the BJMP and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT).
Launched in October 2023 and renewed in February 2024, the program was designed to be an instrument of holistic development for inmates.
At the Dec. 12 ceremony, certificates were also awarded to participants of other vocational training programs, including Visual Arts Training (11 PDLs), Welding (18 PDLs), and Basic House Wiring (11 PDLs).
‘Read Your Way Out’
Apart from the English course, the Iligan City Jail runs the “Read Your Way Out” (RYWO) program, an initiative launched in May 2024 in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the National Library of the Philippines.
The program allows a PDL to shorten his or her sentence under a time allowance credit system, by participating in reading activities, tutorials and tasks related to the jail library.
The RYWO has since made a remarkable impact. Before its introduction, only seven inmates on average qualified for sentence reductions. Now the total has reached 148 in less than two years.
Promising turn
Between May 2024 and April 2025, 24 PDLs secured their release using credits earned through reading. In the months that followed, 38 more walked free, with dozens currently awaiting release.
As Friday’s program came to close, the applause from the audience was not just for the skills Nin̈ol and the others acquired, but also for lives taking a more promising turn.
For Niñol and his fellow graduates, the English Enrichment Course was more than just a personal, academic milestone. It was a story of resilience showing that even behind forbidding walls, hope is nurtured and allowed to thrive. INQ
LESSONS IN HOPE Participants in the “Behind the Bars” program study their learning modules at the Iligan City Jail. On Dec. 12, a batch of 27 PDLs completed the English Enrichment Course facilitated by MSU-IIT, aimed at improving communication skills for successful reintegration. The jail’s alternative education program also comes with the other vocational training courses, such as those focusing on visual arts, basic electrical installation and welding skills. —ILIGAN CITY JAIL-MALE DORMITORY PHOTOS
