BANGUED, Abra -- The Diocese of Bangued and the Provincial Government of Abra sponsored the 26th Prison Awareness Week from October 21 to 27 at the Abra Provincial Jail (APJ).
The week-long celebration was kicked off by a motorcade around the Bangued Town Proper. It was followed by various activities including friendship games, seminar on human rights, family day, singing contest and parlor games.
Various organizations and institutions also conducted their outreach program in the form of gift-giving to the inmates as an early Christmas delight spearheaded by Villa Coronet, the Diocesan Youth Ministry(DYM), Holy Spirit Academy of Bangued (HSAB), the Divine Word College of Bangued (DWCB), the Catholic Women's League (CWL), and the Mother Butler Mission Guild (MBMG).
A medical mission was also sponsored by the Abra Medical Society and the DWCB - Health Sciences Department and Mission Club.
In gratitude, the 123 inmates had a special presentation during the culmination day to entertain the different groups and individuals who went to celebrate with them. The inmates performed modern dances and swayed the pallook (Tingguian dance) to the tunhe of the gongs.
In her message, OIC Jail Warden Julie Ann Bello emphasized that no one is above the law thus penalty must be served to whom it is due so that justice may always prevail. She also appealed to the community that the inmates need most a discrimination-free community with sense of belongingness.
Vice Governor Rosario Bersamin also said, "It is normal to commit mistake and anyone violates laws or commits a crime deserves to be reformed in order to be able to return to his normal life."
“And in the process of reformation, the person needs guidance, acceptance, and real understanding from his family and community,” Bersamin added.
Meanwhile, Bello bared in an interview that of the 123 inmates detained in the APJ, only one is female and five minors. These minors, aged 15-17 years olds will be transferred soon to the Bahay Pag-asa Rehabilitation Center located a few meters away from the APJ.
Tto prepare the inmates in their eventual release from the jail, the APJ in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Alternative Learning Systems program of the Department of Education continue to provide non-formal schooling and capability-building to the inmates. At present, there are 16 inmates enrolled in the ALS Program for livelihood. (Maritess Beñas/with Ginalyn Brosio)