UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED
EXPERIENCES OF INMATES ON imprisonment is not just to protect society against
REFORMATION PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION OF BUREAU OF JAIL
MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY – IMUS,
CAVITE
Victoria Isabel D. Chavez, Allan R. Lacson, Dianah
Joyce R. San Luna, Niña Alyssa C. Vallarta
Legal Studies, College of Arts and Science
Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study is to support a fact and to
make it known to people that the primary purpose of
imprisonment is to reform individuals and not as
punishment so that they can be a better citizen upon
release and be able to live a law abiding life. This
study aims to inform about the life of the prison
inmates under the reformation programs of the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and how it
changed their lives and reformed them as an
individual by understanding their lived experiences
through conducted one on one interviews.
Keywords: Reformation, Safekeeping and Inmate
Welfare, Lived Experiences, Inmate Reformation,
Philippine Jail System, Phenomenological Inquiry,
Inmate Experiences.
Introduction:
Reformation policy was derived from the
Age of reason believing that the individual should be
transformed after conviction, not by inflicting
physical harm on the body of the offender, but
through the practice of reforming them on a path of
honesty and right living. Today’s prisoners are under
the supervision of the penitentiary system that was
developed to isolate them from the temptations of
society, to reflect on their offenses, and be reformed
(Cole & Cole, 2010, p.51)
According to the management of BJMP –
Roxas City in an article on a local newspaper,
imprisonment does not mean condemnation. Neither
is punishment. Reformation involves correcting,
educating, re-orienting and rehabilitating inmates so
that they could be better citizens after they are
released from prison (Ewelum, Omeriyang,
Ugochuwi, 2015, p. 206). Kalu (as cited in Ayuk,
Owan, Ekok, 2013, p. 3) also emphasized that the
purpose of reformation is to train through appropriate
conditions, prison inmates to be better citizens upon
discharge.
The purpose of justifying a sentence of
crime but to reform the criminal as well to ensure that
upon his return to society, he is willing and able to
lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life. To attain
this, the above penal institutions should utilize
appropriate programs on reformation and assistance
of inmates in accordance with their individual
treatment (Albis, Madrona, Madriño, Respicio, 1977,
p. 81).
According to Fergus (2014), correctional
rehabilitation is concerned with effecting positive
change in individuals. As such it is the model most
commonly associated with treatment programs or
other forms of offence- or offender-focused
intervention. At its heart is the notion that many
offenders can change for the better, given the right
support. The idea of correction implies that the
offender can and should be ‘normalised’ or
‘resocialised’ in line with commonly accepted
(though rarely explicitly articulated) standards of
behavior (pp.3-4).
Preview
Section 2 of this paper presents a Statement
of the Research Problem, followed by an explanation
of the Objective of the Study in Section 3, while
Section 4 gives the Significance of the Study. Section
5 gives a Review of the Literature, while Section 6
explains the Methods used in the Study. The Results
and Discussion are then given in Section 7, while the
Conclusion is presented in Section 8 and the
Recommendations are presented in Section 9. The
next section, Section 10 contains the
Acknowledgement and finally, the last section, lists
of the References.
Statement of the Problem
The problem that this research sought to
address is to determine how prison inmates
experience the implemented reformation programs
namely: Livelihood Projects, Educational and
Vocational Training, Recreation and Sports, and
Religious/ Spiritual Activities; how do they assess
and evaluate the effectivity of the reformation
programs of Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology – Imus, Cavite; and how beneficial are the
reformation programs in their everyday lives.
Objective of the Study
This study aimed to examine the lived
experiences of inmates regarding the implementation
of reformation programs in Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology – Imus, Cavite. As such,
it also determines the efficacy of such programs in
order to reform the offenders into law-abiding
citizens while they are inside incarcerated. With
respect to the intent of the State to value human
rights and social justice, it aimed to know how the
respondents perceive the application of the
reformation programs in the form of restorative
justice.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study will be beneficial to the public as
it further provides information and understanding
about the current situation of inmates in jails and in
order to gain deeper analysis on imprisonment as a
way of their reformation. This has a great amount of
significance as it likewise elaborates that the true
intention of the law and the State for their
confinement is for them to be reformed through the
presence of the reformation programs implemented
within the premises of BJMP – Imus and this study
contributes to the awareness of the public regarding
inmates in the Philippine Jails.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
According to Fergus (2014), correctional
rehabilitation is concerned with effecting positive
change in individuals. As such it is the model most
commonly associated with treatment programs or
other forms of offence- or offender-focused
intervention. At its heart is the notion that many
offenders can change for the better, given the right
support. The idea of correction implies that the
offender can and should be ‘normalised’ or
‘resocialised’ in line with commonly accepted
(though rarely explicitly articulated) standards of
behavior (pp.3-4).
For another thing, the majority of inmates engage in
some kind of work while incarcerated (Vuk as cited
in Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2004). Although
inmates do not have a right to work, in most cases
they are not able to refuse to work because of
occasional benefits and privileges it provides (Vuk as
cited in Walens, 1997; see e.g. Washington State
Department of Corrections, 2016. Moreover, inmates
choose to work because it provides a source of
income, a sense of temporary freedom, good time
credit, and access to certain items and services (Vuk
as cited in Batchelder & Pippert, 2002; Glaser, 1969).
Self-improvement is another reason why some
inmates engage in certain activities while avoiding
others (Vuk, 2017). Gleaners are the type of inmates
who use the prison experience to better themselves
(Vuk as cited in Irwin, 1970). Crewe and colleague
(2016) found that most inmates they interviewed
wanted to achieve improvement in their lives through
participation in education and skills training
programs.
For female inmates, it is particularly important to
develop personal, educational, and vocational skills
for self-improvement (Vuk as cited in Lord, 2008;
Owen, 1998; Sexton, 2012). Women frequently
express a desire to change their behavior and to live
less destructive lives. Thus, they often advocate for
more programs that would provide them with life
skills (Vuk as cited in Lord, 2008; Owen, 1998;
Sexton, 2012).
Participation in formal activities can also
benefit women inmates and their well-being.
Researchers acknowledge the benefits of prison work
as a crucial factor in preventing self-destructive
behavior in women’s prisons (Vuk as cited in
Figueroa, 2011; Owen, 1998). Conversely, women
inmates who lack work or other program assignments
are more involved in misconduct (Vuk as cited in
Petersilia, Honig, & Hubay, 1980). Participation in
educational, vocational and other prison programs are
also associated with better well-being, including
lower anxiety and more pro-social attitudes (Vuk as
cited in Carvalho et al., 2015; Genders & Player,
1990; Wooldredge, 1999; Wormith, 1986).
The criminal justice system is in major need
of reform. Crucial to this is the implementation of a
five step plan that would transform the system and
create a society that believes in reformation rather
than punishment, as well as in the ability of one to
change for the better (Borger, 2010, pp. 20-31). These
are: (1) Increasing the usage of psychology; (2) The
addition of vocational and job training programs; (3)
Education reform; (4) Creating a budget for parole
officers and community treatment centers; and (5)
Creation of an employment opportunity community;
Criminal rehabilitation does not turn the
prison system into a summer camp for convicted
criminals (Maillet, 2007). Instead, it focuses on
preventing the commission future offenses by
transforming former criminal offenders into
productive members of society and helping them
successfully reenter the outside world. Criminal
rehabilitation offers a viable alternative to punitive-
based imprisonment that benefits society as a whole.
Rehabilitation programs in prison do not only
recognize wrongdoings, but it also focuses on the
positive future. Education, work training, and societal
reentry programs may not help each and every
offender, but they can make a significant difference
in the lives those who want to do better. Numerous
studies made by experts indicate the failures of the
punitive prison system. Thus, rehabilitation may hold
the key to a better and brighter future for the former
criminal offender and his community.
In some cases, victims do not look to the
criminal justice system to exact revenge. Instead,
they want professional and expert to help to
transform wrongdoers into decent, productive and
law-abiding citizens. Victims will most likely to
endorse treatment if the offender is not complete
strangers but a lover, family member, relative,
neighbor, classmate, or colleagues. Rehabilitation
might take the form of counseling, behavior
modification, intense psychotherapy, detoxification
from addictive drugs, medical care, additional
schooling, and job training. Despite the temporary
ascendancy of a pessimistic, “nothing works”
disenchantment with the ideal of rehabilitation
(Martinson, 1974), “helping” offenders remain as
much a part of the system’s mission as making them
sorry for what they did (Karmen, 2004).
METHODS
A phenomenological research study is a
study that attempts to understand people's
perceptions, perspectives and understandings of a
particular situation (or phenomenon). Its focus is
experience with regard to some phenomenon or other
and how they interpret those experiences (van
Manen, 1990).
The researchers used a descriptive method
of research as the design of this study. This kind of
research implies qualitative method as it adapts
phenomenology in terms of data gathering. Burns and
Grove (2003) described a qualitative approach as “a
systematic subjective approach used to describe life
experiences and situations to give them meaning”.
Parahoo (1997) stated that qualitative research
focuses on the experiences of people as well as
stressing uniqueness of the individual.
A descriptive type of research describes
what exists and may help uncover new facts and
meaning. The purpose of a descriptive research is to
observe, describe and document aspects of a situation
as it naturally occurs. This involves the collection of
data that will provide an account or description of
individuals, groups or situations. The instruments we
used to obtain data includes questionnaires,
interviews (closed questions) and observation
(checklists, etc) (Polit & Hungler, 1999).
Holloway and Wheeler (2002) refer to
qualitative research as “a form of social enquiry that
focuses on the way people interpret and make sense
of their experience and the world in which they live”.
Researchers use the qualitative approach to explore
the behaviour, perspectives, experiences and feelings
of people and emphasize the understanding of these
elements.
The purpose of this phenomological study is
to know the lived experiences of inmates under the
Reformation programs of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology – Imus, Cavite.
Researchers wanted to uncover and determine the
impact of reformatory programs experienced by
inmates. From a phenomenological viewpoint, human
experience is a valuable source of data (Creswell,
2009).
Phenomenological research is a qualitative strategy in
which the researcher identifies the essence of human
experiences about a phenomenon described by the
participants in a study. This process respects the
experience of the participants (Creswell, 2009).
Phenomenology uses inductive research
methods to comprehend universally-lived
experiences (van Manen, 1990). A phenomenological
researcher acknowledges the “whole might be quite
different than the sum of its parts” (Omery, 1983).
The researcher analyzes and interprets lived
experiences to find essential themes and the themes
taken together allow meaning of the experience to
emerge as a whole (van Manen, 1990).
Research Participants
The selected participants in this study are
the following: Marlo J. Ymballa and Inmate Welfare
Development (IWD) Officer Mary Grace Baliber
who are tasked in the administration and execution of
the reformation programs at Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology – Imus, Cavite and
several inmates who are under the reformation
programs of the said institution, whose respective
identities were not disclosed due to confidentiality
reasons.
Sampling Technique
Reformation Participants Age Duration
The study utilized purposive sampling Program of stay
technique. Participants were selected based on their Livelihood Inmate 1 & 30 7 years, 5
experience with the phenomenon. A purposive Project Inmate 7 years
sample is a non-probability sample that is selected
based on characteristics of a population and the Educational Inmate 2 & 38, 26 6 years, 1
objective of the study. Purposive sampling is also and Vocational Inmate 8 year
known as judgmental, selective, or subjective Training
sampling (Crossman, 2017).
This involves identifying and selecting Recreation Inmate 5 & 27, 32 4 years, 2
individuals or groups of individuals that are and Sports Inmate 6 years
especially knowledgeable about or experienced with
a phenomenon of interest (Cresswell and Plano Clark Religious and Inmate 3 2 years
2011). In addition to knowledge and experience, Spiritual
Bernard (2002) and Spradley (1979) note the Activities
importance of availability and willingness to
participate, and the ability to communicate impact of reformation programs in the lived
experiences and opinions in an articulate, expressive, experiences of inmates. Through this procedure, the
and reflective manner. researchers were able to determine how the
In this study, the researchers decided to management performs its duty to handle inmates with
select this sampling method since the participants regard to the implementation of programs in order to
have sufficient knowledge and experience to share. reform them during detention. Moreover, the
Hence, their insights would greatly benefit this researchers conducted an interview with an IWD
research. officer (Inmate Welfare Development) who is
familiar and knowledgeable in the discipline to
Data Gathering Procedure reform offenders for the sake of leading them into
law-abiding citizens.
In this study, the researchers gathered two The Secondary data was gathered from
sources in data gathering: primary data and secondary books, journals, previous studies and sources from
data. the internet. Its analysis shall be supplementary
information that will serve as contribution to the
The primary data is an in-depth interview. merit of this study. In addition, previous studies of
In-depth interviewing, also known as unstructured other researchers would also help them in terms of
interviewing, is a type of interview which researchers specifying the need to implement Reformation
use to elicit information in order to achieve a holistic programs to offenders who are rehabilitated for good.
understanding of the interviewee’s point of view or
situation. It can also be used to explore interesting Instrumentation
areas for further investigation. This type of interview
involves asking informants open-ended questions, In this study, the researchers made use of
and probing whenever necessary to obtain data semi-structured interview guide questionnaire as their
deemed useful by the researcher. (Berry, 1999) research instrument. A semi-structured interview is a
The topic of the qualitative interview meeting in which the interviewer does not strictly
focuses on participants’ lived experiences, not just a follow a formalized list of questions. They will ask
participant’s beliefs or attitudes about issues (Kvalve, more open-ended questions, allowing for a discussion
1996). with the interviewee rather than a straightforward
The researchers conducted interviews to question and answer format (Doyle, 2017).
selected inmates at Bureau of Jail Management and According to Doyle (2017), a semi-
Penology – Imus, Cavite in relation to their lived structured interview format encourages two-way
experiences under Reformatory programs in the said communication. Both the interviewer and the
premises. Furthermore, the researchers prepared candidate can ask questions, which allows for a
guide questions that are subjectively answerable comprehensive discussion of pertinent topics. In view
based on their insights and observations. of the conversational tone, the candidate may feel
In this study, the researchers conducted an more comfortable expanding on techniques and
interview with the jail warden specifically about the
experiences that will highlight the traits that make the programs resulted to transition in changing the
life of an offender.
SUPERORDINAT SUBTHEMES
E THEMES RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 Engagement in a
Inmates’ experience specific reformatory Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
on the program reformation programs
implementation of  Adjustment in the
reformation environment Livelihood Program
programs  Insights about the
management’s Engagement in a specific reformatory
implementation of program. The first respondent of this study,
programs hereinafter referred to as Inmate 1, is engaged in the
 Perception of the Livelihood Program since the year 2011 and
inmates’ regarding according to him, being under the program helped
Evaluation on the the efficacy of him deal with the great amount of environmental
efficacy of the reformation shift when he was committed in the herein subject
programs programs national government institution as it took him some
time in order to accept that his liberty was
 Relevancy of
temporarily taken away from him. As inmate 1 stated:
implementing
“Masaya po kasi po may nagtuturo po samin
reformation
sa mga programang yon. Masaya po kami
programs as a form
habang gumagawa po.”
of restorative justice
 Positive changes in
Insights about the management’s
an inmate’s behavior
implementation of programs. According to him, he
Benefits of  Skills and knowledge transforms pieces of paper into ships and other crafts
reformation acquired in the which he greatly enjoyed most importantly. He
programs program likewise added that the agony was lessened with the
 Application of help of his fellow inmates as well as the effective
learning as a means implementation of the reformation program he is
productive living engaged into. He even said that he is earning money
them a good fit for the position. with the help of the livelihood program that he is
In order to determine the impact of engaged in and according to him, the jail guards, the
reformation programs in the lived experiences of jail warden and other personnel from the Bureau do
inmates at BJMP- Imus, the researchers formulated not treat them as prisoners but as people who needs
questions concerning the point of view of the primary to be reformed.
respondents relating the efficacy of implementing
such programs. Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Furthermore, during the interview, the jail
warden answered questions with regard to the Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
behavior of inmates in the course of their efficacy of reformation programs. Acceptance of his
participation in a particular reformatory program and current situation helped him to escalate his
how they try to engage and interact with their co- knowledge and skills while inside the jail. Positively,
inmates. He also answered the problems encountered he was able to cope-up to the changes in his
in surroundings and he has adapted the nature of his
the implementation of the said programs and the work as a means of productive living. Inmate 1
areas of improvement when it comes to order and explained it along the lines of:
regulation.
On the other hand, the researchers asked Benefits of reformation program
the Penology expert relating to the benevolence of
putting offenders behind bars just for the sake of Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior.
reforming them; the efficacy of such programs Despite of the lack of educational attainment, Inmate
throughout the entire span since it was implemented; 1 shares that every endeavor in life requires passion
and a certain case in which the implementation of and dedication; it means that you always have to put
your heart to let things flow in one accord and see
things as an opportunity to rebuild oneself and turn it
into something that can help him live as sustainable
as possible as well as decent normal life.
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Educational Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. As an inmate who participated under
BJMP’s Educational program, the second
respondent was able to surpass all his fears and
failures inside the management. Through
Alternative Learning System (ALS), he graduated
in the year 2013 and is proud that he is able to use
what he learned despite being detained.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. It is because of these
programs that he learns how to communicate with
other people; he practices his skill from vocational
schools and he is able to prove that there is no such
thing as being late when it comes to learning.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. Thus, it also
provides opportunities for other inmates to continue
their learning; considering that majority of them are
high school graduates, studying is a privileged vested
to them since it won’t cost a dime.
Benefits of reformation program
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior. It
can be inferred that learning is a continuous process,
it has no boundaries, it has no ends, and it is a craved
for people who are in dire need to unravel
knowledge. As a matter of fact, it encapsulates that
the concept of education is universal; it does not
require any good standing or experience, all it needs
is unwavering interest. It is because of these
programs that he learns how to communicate with
other people; he practices his skill from vocational
schools; and he is able to prove that there is no such
thing as being late when it comes to learning
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Religious Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The third respondent in this study,
hereinafter referred to as Inmate 3, is engaged in
Religious and Spiritual Activities and is in charge of
heading the same. His duty is to manage and monitor
the activities being implemented under the said
program. He is being charged for violation of
Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) but claimed that all of
the evidence found were planted.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. Inmate 3 tells us how
the impact of Religious program transformed his life.
He narrated that he used to be a non-believer of any
religion until he was detained inside the premises of
BJMP. Formerly, he admitted his stubborn refusal to
listen to the word of God from his relatives knowing
that he does want to engage in any religious
organizations.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. Inmate 3
personally evaluates that the government is fulfilling
its duty to reform them into better individuals and to
mold them into law-abiding citizens. Furthermore, he
considered religious counseling and other religion-
based programming an important aspect of reforming
prisoners like him. He expressed his delight to be a
religious coordinator inside the prison, having an
opportunity to see a set of hope inside a secluded area
like prison, he said that his stay in jail gave him a
chance to be more connected to God, and seeing
himself becoming a better person day by day.
Benefits of reformation programs
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior.
He said that his fellow inmates gained direction and
meaning for their life from the practice of religion
while in prison. They felt that God will provide a
direction to go in life, one that is better than their
present psychological or physical condition. Religion
also provides hope for the inmates hope to reform
from a life of crime, and from a life of imprisonment.
He even feels that being incarcerated is the "Will of
God" and that full acceptance of this will is essential
to being faithful in one's religious belief. He feels that
practicing religion gives them a “peace of mind,”
which means having some level of personal content.
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Health Program
 Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The fourth respondent of this study,
hereinafter referred to as Inmate 4, is engaged in the
Health activities and heads the same as a Chief Medic
under the supervision of a registered nurse and
belongs as well in the Religious and Spiritual
Program. He is being charged for violation of
Sections 5 and 11 of RA 9165 (Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and he then
mentioned that he was arrested on Father’s Day of
the year 2016.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. Being involved in
religious program also helps him to know God and
inexplicably cannot put into words how his life has
transitioned positively. To him, he considers BJMP as
a place for rehabilitation and reformation; its nature
inculcates the changing of life through processes that
can mend weariness and solitude. Learning from your
mistake is insufficiently ineffective, what should be
the grounds for change can be best obtained from
reformatory programs.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. He realized that
life does not end just because you got imprisoned. It
is up to you on how you will deal with the situation
and learning how to socialize and build friendships
towards other inmates because good relationships are
one of the things he values the most and as stated by
him, he was able to improve it more during his stay
for almost two years in the city jail. Considering that
he is engaged under Health program, he said that he
is able to help those inmates who are calling for their
health concerns such as coughs, colds, and skin
diseases specifically itchiness and scabies.
Benefits of reformation programs
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior.
He turned his stay in jail as a way of developing
himself to be a law abiding citizen and acquire skills
and knowledge that he can use upon his release. He
then added that there is so much learning aside from
giving medications and caring one's health and
expressed his appreciation to the health care program
that BJMP – Imus continues to offer to them. He also
learned how to adapt in the changes in the
environment by means of choosing the company of
people that would encourage everyone in order not to
feel inferior and alone. As stated inmate 4:
“Siguro, piliin mo rin kung sino yung
pakikisamahan mo. Nasasaiyo rin naman
yun eee, unang una may pagiisip ka na,
kung anong encourage ng mga kasama
mo, kung ayaw mo ayaw mo, kailangan
may sarili kang paninindigan at tsaka
wag ka makakalimot sa kanya dahil sya
lang ang makakatulong at sa kanya
walang imposible.”
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Sports and Recreation Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The fifth respondent of this study,
hereinafter referred to as Inmate 5, is engaged in the
Sports and Recreation Program and likewise heads
the same. His duty is to organize games of various
kinds through small tournament between his fellow
inmates in order for them to enhance their skills and
to improve their strategic thinking skills.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. According to him, being
engaged in this specific reformation program helped
him overcome homesickness and having the
opportunity to head the program made so much
impact of him as he likewise gets to help his fellow
inmates to improve themselves and to help build
good relationships with others as they are the ones
who could understand each other more than other
people as they somehow share the same struggles,
difficulties, feelings and situations. This program did
not just help him but also the whole community as it
provides them happiness despite of the circumstances
of their individual lives.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs.
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. Despite the
absence of his family, he is spending his time
productively so that amusement and entertainment
can set-aside anxiety caused by familial separation.
According to him, reformatory programs are
necessary because it helps develop an inmate’s well-
being and also a way to loosen up on the mundane
concerns that may result to stress and depression. The
key is always productivity. Inmates have to use their
time wisely and effectively while being deprived of
their freedom inside BJMP.
Benefits of reformation programs
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior. As
the organizer under Sports and Recreation program,
the need of implementing this reformatory program is
more than just a pastime to them. It helps develop a
different kind of mindset which creates self-
confidence and self-esteem through their engagement
in such activity. In his evaluation under reformatory
programs, he reiterates that participation through
socializing can help an inmate’s mental stability in
overcoming stress and frustration. He also makes
collaborations with the female inmates so that
inmates of both genders could participate and enjoy
their time.
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Cultural Entertainment Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The sixth respondent of this study,
hereinafter referred to as Inmate 6, is engaged in the
Cultural Entertainment and chose to engage in such
due to his passion to dancing as he sees it as a way of
expressing himself. The management choose him
because he is already a choreographer before he was
detained inside the premises.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. The activities and
regular performances he was able to participate in
helped him understand life even more and the things
he tend to forget when he was still a free individual.
Being under the said program with the help of the
management of BJMP – Imus, Cavite, he was able to
accept the situation he is in at the moment and
learning to trust God and the process as he go along
the journey.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. Since he is already
a choreographer before he is detained inside the
premises of BJMP, the sixth respondent under
Cultural program is able to use his talent to entertain
other inmates during special events. Instead of being
in the state of nothingness, he uses his skill in order
to manage his adjustment to an environment
unknown to him before. As a matter of fact, his
objective in life is no longer bombarded by other
unnecessary things since his stay in BJMP created a
direction to keep him going. He appreciates the
management’s implementation of reformation
programs considering that he is able to draw near to
God and at the same time rediscover the things that
slipped from his fate when he was outside the
premises.
Benefits of reformation program
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior.
According to him, he is grateful for being able use his
talent in dancing through sharing it to others by being
a choreographer when there are events or programs
inside. In addition, he stated that his imprisonment is
more of self-discovery and appreciating life the way
he never did while he was outside the prison.
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Livelihood Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The seventh respondent of this study,
hereinafter referred to as Inmate 7, is engaged in the
Livelihood program and finds the same as therapeutic
as it offers activities that help ease her current
situation and for her to decipher more about life. She
explained that she did not have a hard time dealing
with the enormous transition from her previous life to
her current life in prison. According to her, her whole
experience so far inside the Bureau served as an eye
opener as she was able to contemplate about how she
lived her life back then and she was able to notice the
things she tend to forget while being engulfed with
freedom, thinking that it is absolute.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. Inmate 7 added that
survival inside the prison rests upon one’s notion of
acceptance and understanding about the prime
purpose of the law and the government which is to
reform them through various reformation programs
being implemented in the Bureau.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. She explains that
her life inside BJMP is far different from her initial
impression; that she does not experience any
untoward incident that left her traumatically afraid.
The management, along with other inmates,
considers them as a family without any disparity and
self-serving conditions. As a matter of fact, she is not
treated as an inmate who needs to be punished
severely because of her penal violation; she is a
human being detained in an isolated area, given the
opportunity to change and grateful enough to
contemplate that chances are given to those who seek
it.
Benefits of reformation programs
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior. As
explained by her, prison is not a kind of hell for
criminal offenders. It intends to reform them rather
than punish them or segregate them from the greater
community. It removes them from the temptations
that had driven them to crime and to provide each of
them with time to listen to their conscience and
reflect on their deeds. She likewise developed better
perception about the concept of reformation inside
the prison and with regard to its prime purpose of
inmate reformation and re-establishment of the
character and reputation of a person.
Inmates’ experience on the implementation of
reformation programs
Educational Program
Engagement in a specific reformatory
program. The eighth respondent of this study is
engaged in the Educational Program offered by the
Bureau who recently passed the Alternative Learning
System (ALS) and is now taking up the Beauty Care
Services course under the Technical Education Skills
and Development Autority (TESDA). She views
education as one of the primary notch of an
individual in order to survive and contribute to the
society and her imprisonment does not bar her from
obataining her education. Through the aid given by
the Bureau and with a strong character and
unbeatable determination she developed during her
stay so far, she was able to pass the final examination
for her to obtain a diploma through the Alternative
Learning System.
Adjustment in the environment. With the
enormous shift of the living environment, it was
never easy to adapt but according to her, you must
have the will to help yourself otherwise, the
reformation programs being offered by the Bureau
will become futile.
Insights about the management’s
implementation of programs. It is with these
programs that she was able to realize the things she
had taken for granted such as her time with her
family, the value of money, and her unstable
relationship with God. She believes that her stay
inside BJMP gave her the lessons that she was
blinded before and took it as an inspiration to turn her
pain into power.
Evaluation on the efficacy of the programs
Perception of the inmates’ regarding the
efficacy of reformation programs. As stated by
Inmate 8, she sees imprisonment as a chance to
restart and seek spirtual redemption. In the Bureau,
they fixated on projects that are demonstrated to their
loved ones, to themselves, and to the law abiding
world with which they sought to identify that they
were fundamentally “good people” with prosocial
aspirations. Typically, they aimed to better
themselves through education, by learning skills, and
by going on drug/alcohol awareness or anger
management courses and to contribute to a wider
notion of social good. Religious program likewise
alters their fundamental beliefs and overall lifestyle
Benefits of reformation programs
Positive changes in an inmate’s behavior.
Inmate 8 accepts her current condition and is able to
stand on her own, stronger than she could have ever
imagined. Based on her insights, life is all about
setting a positive standing; she teaches that one
should not agitate to the current of life as we let God
be in control of everything. She said that reformation
programs help her to become an individual who
accepts defeat in life; that God allows such
circumstances to happen to test whether or not how
firm enough are we going to stand on our faith.
CONCLUSION
To encapsulate this research study, this
mainly tackles about the lived experiences of inmates
under the jurisdiction of Bureau of Jail Management
and Penology – Imus, Cavite with regard to the prime
purpose of the law and the government with respect
to imprisonment of an individual; which is to reform
him as a person so that he will be able to be a law
abiding citizen upon his release and to contribute
more to the society through the application of the
knowledge and skills he obtained and learned while
in the custody of the Bureau.
This study also provides deeper analysis of
each of the situation of the inmates to clear and
enlighten the public with the most common
misconception that imprisonment and punishment are
congruent and do come hand in hand. This study talks
about how an inmate’s life has changed and improved
through the help of the reformatory programs being
implemented in the premises of BJMP – Imus,
Cavite. This study also talks about the effective and
humane management and implementation of the
reformation programs as a requisite in order to
materialize the abovestated purpose of the law and
the government.
The conclusion to this study lies in the
affirmative as the lives of the inmates changed and
improved through their participation in the
reformation programs they chose to engage in as
discussed in the previous chapter. It is evident that
their lives and dispositions have improved and
according to them, their engagement in the
reformation programs present in the Bureau equipped
them with knowledge and skills that they will
definitely apply once they are released. Most
importantly, they were able to understand the prime
purpose and intention of the government with regard
to their imprisonment and did not perceive their
experience as a punishment but rather a journey to
their reformation as an individual.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the conclusion of the study, the following
recommendations are suggested:
1. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
(BJMP) in Imus, Cavite should strengthen the
Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP)
as a foundation in the enhancement of behavioral and
social transition. The implementations of such helps
the inmates rediscover valuable skills and knowledge
through a community that aims to empower their
productive and educative capacity.
2. The Alternative Learning System (ALS) should be
a means to fortify the need to promote educational
progress regardless of any standing. It should, at all
costs, advocate the necessity that learming is a
priviledged vested to everyone which can
consequently be a material to useful application.
3. The government is recommended to provide
employment opportunities for inmates who are
release from imprisonment. In such sense, it would
not be much of a struggle for them to find a job
where they can maneuver their skills without being
disregarded because of their record.
4. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
(BJMP) in Imus, Cavite is recommended to provide
additional facilities for inmates where they can find
themselves at ease in the participation of various
reformatory programs.
5. It is recommended for future researchers to study
the lived experiences of inmates as a way of being an
advocate to everyone that incarceration is not a form
of punishment. With that being said, students can
voice-out the concerns of the inmates regarding the
efficacy of the programs inside the management.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to
the management of Bureau of Jail Management in
Imus, Cavite especially Jail Warden Marlo J. Ymballa
and Inmate Welfare Development Officer Mary
Grace Baliber for giving us privilege of conducting
this study inside their premises and to the eight
inmates who truthfully and openly shared their
experiences and answered our questions. Their
statements and lived experiences are the foundations
of this study that solidified our purpose.
We likewise extend our gratitude to our thesis
adviser, Atty. Mark Brian R. Celestino for guiding us
in conducting and writing this study. His efforts,
guidance and comments are very much appreciated
despite of his busy schedule.
We likewise thank our professors Ms. Raizza R.
Corpuz and Mr. John Dionisio for their guidance.
We thank our family, friends and colleagues who
supported us in our pursuit of breaking one of the
common misconceptions present in the society.
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