Twenty-two detainees at a district jail in Oriental Mindoro received training Tuesday on enrolling in the government’s Social Security System (SSS), a laudable effort to help incarcerated individuals plan for their eventual return to society.

The session, conducted by SSS officials at Naujan District Jail, demonstrated how inmates can maintain active memberships and accumulate credits through family members or designated representatives while serving time.

The program addresses a gap often overlooked in correctional facilities: preparing detainees for financial stability after release.

Most of the 114 inmates housed at the facility face sentences under three years or await trial outcomes.

“Planning for tomorrow shouldn’t stop because you’re confined today,” said Jail Officer 3 Joefrie Anglo, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Mimaropa’s information officer.

Participants learned enrollment procedures, payment protocols, and claims processing for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

The system allows continuous contribution records through third-party payments, ensuring coverage remains intact during incarceration.

One unnamed participant welcomed the program, saying the program offers hope for preparing their future despite current circumstances. He urged continuation of similar programs for fellow detainees.

SSS membership provides crucial safety nets that many returning citizens lack, potentially reducing recidivism by offering financial security pathways unavailable through informal employment common among ex-offenders.