TAYTAY, Palawan — Some persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)- Taytay District Jail in Palawan are learning rattan basket weaving while serving jail time to make them productive and help them get easily reintegrated to their communities once they get released.
According to community relations service officer Jail Officer 1 Martin Hesita, the livelihood program of BJMP-TDJ has been established for the past years and the materials for their crafts are provided by the jail facility.
He said, the funds derived from product sales will provide the PDLs with an income to contribute to their family’s welfare and support operational program costs in the future.
Among the PDLs who have found meaning in the programme is 65-year-old Nick (not his real name). He said, the program makes time pass quickly and allows him to escape from thinking about his family outside.
BJMP Mimaropa information officer Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo said the inception of the ’Weaving PDLs of Taytay’ was not just an opportunity for them to earn money, it was also meant to promote rattan basket weaving.
He added, the use of the art therapy and education has proven successful not only in their rehabilitation, but also in teaching life skills that benefit these PDLs long after they return to society.
“Behind every carefully crafted piece is a PDL working toward rehabilitation, learning skills that will someday help them reintegrate into society,” said Anglo. (PR)