Leyte provincial jail showcases dancing inmates

PALO, Leyte - Dressed in tangerine t-shirts, the more than 150 inmates of the Leyte Provincial Jail (LPJ) here performed a festival dance which, according to a jail official, has boosted their morale.

LPJ Jail Warden Jose Repulda Jr. said dancing inmates is fast becoming a unique tourist attraction in the world. “The dancing inmates showed how the Filipinos value rehabilitation more than punishment,” he said.

Repulda siad the dancing activity was a big help to the inmates for it makes them busy and not to be bored inside the jail.

There are a total of 625 inmates in LPJ, with six of them females, 29 belong to the sick ward, 58 are trustees who assist, cook, guard and help in some office works in the jail. Most of the inmates have cases like crime against person and illegal drugs, Repulda added.

Joel Demillo, an inmate of the said jail, is the choreographer of the festival dance. According to Demillo, “it is not easy to choreograph people like them because most of them lack educational background.”

The purpose of the activity was to give leisure and joy to the inmates.

The activity also proves that even though they are in jail, respect, discipline and unity are still in them, said inmate leader Mario Marmita. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)