Tacloban City (November 10) – In connection with the National Correctional Consciousness Week celebration, the Parole and Probation Administration Region 8 recently conducted a five-day Therapeutic Community Modality training at the Biliran Provincial Jail.
The training was made possible through the sponsorship of the Provincial Government of Biliran under the leadership of Governor Rogelio Espina who visited the jail during the training. Governor Espina, during his visit distributed three kilos of rice to each of the 87 inmates of the Biliran Provincial Jail. Moreso, Governor Espina pledged to give basic toiletries, slippers and lechon for the Christmas Party of the inmates.
Governor Espina also positively responded to the request by the inmates for the concreting of the sunning area which they also utilize for group activities such as sports. The good governor also informed the inmates of the possible assistance they can avail of from the Provincial Government such as the “Manukan” (poultry) livelihood program and scholarship program for the inmates’ children.
Biliran Parole and Probation Office headed by Chief Probation and Parole Officer Ma.. Beverly D. Ampo initiated the conduct of the training on October 27-31, 2008 and the same was participated in by about forty-two inmates, Ms. Janette Avorque, PPA Regional Information Officer, said.
The Therapeutic Community Modality is the treatment model used by the Parole and Probation Administration – Department of Justice, in the rehabilitation of clients. This could also be applies to other individuals who have behavioral problems. It focuses on the aspects of behavior management, psychological or emotional, intellectual and spiritual, and vocational and survival.
For this year’s National Correctional consciousness Week celebration, PPA-DOJ adopted the theme of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines for Prison Awareness Sunday, “Pag-ibig Mo: Tanglaw, Gabay at Lakas Ko.”
The theme enhances the Agency’s concept of the Restorative Justice paradigm that moves beyond the punishment and addresses the primordial need to seek humanity in the wrongdoers. Rather than measuring how much punishment must be inflicted, Restorative Justice measures how many harms are repaired and prevented. (PIA 8)
