Mandaue Jail to offer ‘College Behind Bars’ to PDLs

CEBU, Philippines — Being in jail may soon no longer be a hindrance to finishing college.

This, as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)–Mandaue is planning to establish a “College Behind Bars” program inside its jail facilities to allow persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to pursue a college degree while serving their sentences.

City Jail Warden Jail Superintendent Jessie James Gingoyon said during a press briefing that dedicated facilities will be constructed inside both the male and female dormitories to support the program.

Gingoyon emphasized that incarceration should focus on rehabilitation and not solely on punishment.

The proposed rehabilitation centers will include alternative learning facilities, which are being prioritized by the BJMP–Mandaue in coordination with Senior Inspector Roselle Paracale, head of the female dormitory.

Gingoyon said the BJMP–Mandaue and Mandaue City College (MCC) are set to draft a memorandum of agreement to formalize the implementation of the College Behind Bars program.

“Hopefully, by 2026, we can already offer college education inside the facility,” Gingoyon said.

Once the college curriculum is integrated into the jail system, qualified PDLs will be able to study while in custody.

Those who have completed senior high school will be eligible to enroll in the degree programs to be offered.

Gingoyon said Business Management and Information Technology are among the courses being considered, citing their demand in the job market and their potential to provide PDLs with better employment opportunities after their release.

He said the program is being pushed with the support of the Mandaue City local government.

Aside from academic initiatives, Gingoyon said PDLs are also actively engaged in livelihood programs such as bread and pastry production, crafts making, painting, bonsai growing, and wood carving.

He added that the jail’s personalized PVC lamps, which are produced by PDLs, are unique to the Mandaue BJMP and are consistently sold out.

Proceeds from the livelihood products directly benefit the PDLs. (CEBU NEWS)