The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) paid tribute to the Manila City local government for its efforts to help persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to be productive citizens after their release and eventual reintegration into society.

It said the three-storey school building constructed inside the Manila City jail is a testament to the city government’s recognition of the importance of education to PDLs.

Spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia, in a statement, said “the Commission on Human Rights lauds the Manila City Government for investing in the education for persons deprived of liberty,”

"Prior to the construction of the school building, the PDLs had a modular learning set up within their jail cells. Under the new school, officers of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology who have teaching backgrounds will be supervising and monitoring the students’ classes from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.," De Guia said.

The P45-million facility, which opened last November, houses three classrooms that can each cater to about 60 detainees, a multi-purpose hall, and an office, she said.

Reports stated that of the 4,500 detainees at the Manila City Jail, 1,232 are enrolled in high school while 517 are in elementary. All are taught under the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System.

De Guia also said:

"As the lead agency in the Interim National Preventive Mechanism, the CHR consistently supports actions that will help improve the well-being and situation of PDLs.

“The construction of school for PDLs is in line with Rule 4 of the Mandela Rules or the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which provides that the period of imprisonment should 'be used to ensure, so far as possible, the reintegration of such persons into society upon release so that they can lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life.

"CHR is hopeful that more correctional facilities will follow suit and find ways to uphold a more human rights-based approach towards incarceration.”