The Central Bicol State University (CBSUA) has taken a significant step towards rehabilitation by partnering with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Office V to offer tertiary education to Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL). A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was formally signed on August 1, 2024, to launch the “Education Behind the Bars Program.”
A collaborative effort between CBSUA’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) and the BJMP, the program aims to provide quality education to PDLs. This initiative is seen as crucial in reducing recidivism and fostering a positive environment within correctional facilities.
CBSUA President Alberto N. Naperi emphasized the university’s commitment to serving the community and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. “This is a matter of social justice and a strategic investment in the well-being of individuals and communities,” Naperi stated. “By providing access to education, we can help break the cycle of incarceration, promote rehabilitation, and build a more inclusive and equitable society.”
Regional Director of the Jail Bureau, JSSupt. Elena B. Rocamora, expressed gratitude for the partnership, highlighting its importance in empowering PDLs. “This initiative provides them with the tools and knowledge to build a better future,” Rocamora said.
During the MOA signing, which coincided with the Conference on Sectoral Means for International Collaboration (COSMIC) 2024, Rocamora called on other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to participate in the program. She emphasized its potential to significantly contribute to the reformation of the men and women housed in the 29 jail facilities in the Bicol Region.
By offering educational opportunities to PDLs, CBSUA and BJMP hope to address inequality, promote rehabilitation, and ultimately contribute to a safer community. “Education Behind Bars” stresses the belief that education is a powerful tool for personal transformation and social change, offering PDLs a chance to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society.
