Inmates at Mamburao District Jail in Occidental Mindoro are learning to make traditional Filipino snacks as part of a rehabilitation program that will equip them with skills for life after incarceration.

The training program, run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), seeks to foster self-sufficiency and reduce reoffending by teaching practical, marketable skills.

The culinary training involves inmates preparing homemade snacks that are sold within the jail.

The program not only provides a small income for participants but also instils values of teamwork and entrepreneurship.

In a country where prison overcrowding and limited rehabilitation resources are persistent headaches, such programs are seen as vital for supporting inmates’ reintegration into society.

Joefrie Anglo, BJMP Mimaropa information officer, said: “These programs give inmates hope and practical skills they can use after release. By learning a trade, they gain a sense of purpose and a pathway to a better future.”

One participant, referred to as Kristine to protect her identity, shared how the program has impacted her.

“The income I earn helps cover my daily needs, so my family doesn’t have to worry about me,” she said.

The Philippines’ prison system, overseen by the BJMP for pre-trial and short-sentence detainees, houses thousands of inmates, many of whom face uncertain prospects upon release.

Rehabilitation program like the Mamburao culinary skills training is an answer to global calls for humane correctional practices that prioritize reform over punishment.

Photos: courtesy of BJMP Mimaropa