Caloocan jail to open library for inmates

MANILA, Philippines - The local Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Caloocan City is set to open next month its new library for the inmates, built especially for those who are availing of the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS).

Caloocan City Jail warden Superintendent Lyndon Torres said the four-by-eight meter library will be equipped with computers with Internet connections, but they still need more books and other reading materials.

“We are still in the process of soliciting reading materials including old Reader’s Digest, legal books, old Encyclopedia or even used elementary books. We prefer educational materials rather than cash,” Torres told The STAR.

Torres said the project, which would operate under the “strict monitoring” of the Inmates’ Welfare Development Officers of the local BJMP, aims to assist prisoners particularly those enrolled in the ALS program and the Arabic Language Islamic Value Education (ALIVE) education project for the Muslim prisoners.

“One of our goals is to rehabilitate and reform the inmates in preparation for their eventual return to mainstream society. We want to restore their self-respect and human dignity,” Torres said.

The warden said all inmates would have access to the library “provided that they would be there to read and not to use it only” to hang out.

“Reading will lessen the inmates’ boredom and desolation and it will improve their knowledge. It is a therapeutic and restorative activity,” he said. 

The Caloocan City BJMP is implementing several rehabilitation programs for its more than 1,200 prisoners, which include sports and recreation, religious activities, livelihood projects, and non-formal education such as ALS and ALIVE.

–