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The Restorative Justice Program of Caritas Manila renders service to prisoners and the members of their families in all jails in the Archdiocese of Manila. The major activities are formation, paralegal assistance, and outreach. The program started in 1975 with the creation of the Commission on Prisoners' Welfare by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).
From 1978 to 1988, the inmates were organized into Pastoral Councils and were trained to become spiritual leaders. In subsequent years, the program expanded to include direct paralegal assistance to inmates for the speedy disposition of their cases. A network of partners was established, including the Ateneo Human Rights Center, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines which created a Paralegal Academy, and San Beda College which integrated the prison ministry into their social involvement program.
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The Binhi ng Pagasa Community, an association of released prisoners, was organized. Members were provided with sessions for continuing personal renewal and for livelihood training. The Interdiocesan Restorative Justice Ministry (IRJM) emerged in 2004 as a support program promoting healing rather than revenge and retribution.
Program staff and volunteer leaders have undergone training on restorative justice which was to be the "new face" of the ministry. In 2005, CM provided paralegal training and orientation on Restorative Justice Principles and Concepts for families of inmates. New paralegal volunteers were also recruited and trained in the program.
In June 2006, the Church's Inter-Diocesan Restorative Justice Ministry formalized an agreement with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology to work together to improve the living conditions and promote effective rehabilitation of detainees in Metro Manila jails. This allows paralegal volunteers of the Church to follow up cases and help facilitate the release of those proven innocent or those who have already served their time.
For inmates who stay in prison, the CM program conducts a skills training program. They are taught how to make candles, detergent, and herbal soap, among other skills. The inmates are also offered courses in personhood, which includes values formation and family life seminars. |
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