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Thursday, July 06, 2006
Inmates make good money
By Minerva B. Gerodias
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
Inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) are not only making their own soap and uniforms, they are also producing quality native bags that are being exported.
Aside from learning livelihood skills while in detention, they not only earn money for themselves and their families, they also add income to the Cebu Provincial Government.
Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia said he found out about the talent of some inmates by accident.
In one surprise inspection the officials found that the mats issued for inmates’ use were made into bags, placemats and vases by the prisoners while killing their time inside the facility.
This prompted Garcia to look for an exporter to tap the CPDRC for its labor needs.
Now, Ferimar Export is the client of CPDRC. At least 400 inmates earn about P45 for every bag they make.
The Capitol is getting 20 percent of the total income from the livelihood program.
Aside from bag making, the inmates are also making soap, which Capitol buys and gives these back for the inmates’ needs.
Each bar of soap is bought at P6.25 by Capitol, which also distributes these every 15th and 30th of the month.
Because there are also sewers among the jail’s 1,600 inmates, the Provincial Government also thought of producing their own uniforms.
The CPDRC has four sewing machines used to make all the inmates’ uniforms. Some prisoners also serve as cutters, while others do the printing of the shirts.
Sewing machines
Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia ordered the purchase of high-speed sewing machines for CPDRC to improve the T-shirt making business inside the jail.
One sure market is the CFI Cooperative, which is being run by the governor’s mother, retired judge Esperanza Garcia.
As early as now, CFI ordered 10,000 T-shirts to be distributed to their members.
Next month, during the Capitol’s annual agricultural-trade fair for the Province’s anniversary, the CPDRC will have a booth where products of the inmates will be sold.
Aside from soap, T-shirts and handicrafts, they will also be selling vegetables harvested from their garden at the back of the jail.
Byron said the inmates deposit their earnings at the CFI Cooperative through their custodian, who keeps records of each inmate’s money.
Jail rules prohibit inmates from keeping money inside.
Visiting relatives are allowed to withdraw the money from CFI. All they do is sign the withdrawal slip.
Choreographers
Another aspect of the inmates’ daily lives inside the jail is the “discipline” they show during their morning and afternoon physical fitness activities.
Every day, the more than 1,600 prisoners gather and dance to the tune of “Nanggigigil,” “YMCA” and “In The Navy.”
A choreographer was hired for this. Byron admitted it was not easy to train them. “But you just have to be mean to tame the mean.”
After almost a month of practice, they finally perfected the choreography and will be showing this to the governor on July 17.
Aside from the dances, the inmates also march like police officers in pass-in review.
They are divided into platoons. Every week, the jail management chooses the best platoon and award them with soap, toothpaste and other items for hygiene.
This way, each inmate is encouraged to cooperate and give his best.
Minor detainees, on the other hand, are given chocolates and “Milo” every morning for cooperating in the daily exercise.
Pio Romarate, a former policeman who has been in jail for six years, said that the activities inside the CPDRC make them forget that they are prisoners. (MBG)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 6, 2006 issue)
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