Article by Rinaliza G. Gabon
CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – The Learning, Education, and Aspirations for Rehabilitations and New Starts through Prison-based Adult and Community Education (LEARNSPACE) team from Samar State University (SSU) successfully conducted a two-day literacy assessment for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Catbalogan City District Jail on September 5 and 6, 2024 at Brgy. Lagundi, Catbalogan City, Samar, Philippines.
Led by Mr. Lemuel Karl A. Tadios, faculty researcher at SSU’s Center for Lifelong Learning (CeLL) and project leader of LEARNSPACE, the activity aimed to assess the educational needs and literacy levels of PDLs, and identify learners for the prison-based education program. Mr. Tadios was joined by extensionists from SSU Paranas Campus, including Dr. Arnel N. Mabingnay, Ms. Veronica A. Gabon, and Ms. Julieta Dela Cruz. The undertaking also included a brief orientation on how literacy can support reintegration after incarceration.
The LEARNSPACE program is part of SSU’s ongoing efforts to provide community and adult education, particularly to marginalized sectors. It reflects the university’s commitment to creating sustainable learning environments with its literacy-focused interventions. The program seeks to give PDLs a second chance at education to better prepare them for reintegration into society, thereby, reducing recidivism.
This baseline assessment marks a key milestone, laying the groundwork for future programs tailored to the specific needs of PDLs at BJMP Catbalogan, which could serve as a model for other district jails.