Manila Bulletin
Philippines
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Restorative justice model backs jailed mothers, women returnees
Philippines
National
Restorative justice model backs jailed mothers, women returnees
Restorative justice model backs jailed mothers, women returnees
By Trixee Rosel
Published Jul 10, 2025 10:12 am
At A Glance
- BJMP and Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) are pushing a reintegration model anchored on restorative justice.
- The initiative focuses on supporting women returnees and mothers deprived of liberty.
- The Reintegration through Restorative Justice (RUJ) framework was launched during a national conference held on July 8–9, 2025, in Quezon City.
- RUJ promotes anti-stigmatization advocacy, community-based reintegration, and localized research.
- Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen called for institutionalizing restorative justice in jails and communities.
- Over 100 BJMP personnel joined workshops on applying restorative principles in detention and reintegration.
- Informal justice mechanisms in the Bangsamoro region were highlighted as reintegration models.
- CCAA plans to pilot the RUJ framework with BJMP within six months.
Nicole Angelie Policarpio, Program Manager of Climate Conflict Action (CCAA), presents the Reintegration through Restorative Justice (RUJ) framework during the second day of the National Conference on Restorative Justice held on July 9, 2025, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. The framework advocates trauma-informed reintegration for women returnees and mothers deprived of liberty. (Trixee Rosel/MB)
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has partnered with peacebuilding organization Climate Conflict Action Asia (CCAA) to promote a reintegration framework anchored on restorative justice, focusing on the unique needs of women returnees and mothers deprived of liberty.
Unveiled during the National Conference on Restorative Justice held from July 8 to 9 at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, the initiative seeks to reform detention and post-release programs by addressing stigma, trauma, and social exclusion.
Nicole Angelie Policarpio, Program Manager of CCAA, introduced the Reintegration through Restorative Justice (RUJ) framework — a multi-level model developed through engagements with conflict-affected communities, former rebels, and detainees.
The framework addresses long-term psychosocial and socio-economic challenges faced by individuals, particularly women, rejoining civilian life after incarceration or armed involvement.
“Women returnees often carry double the burden — not only are they stigmatized as ex-combatants or detainees, but their children are also denied access to schools and basic services due to guilt by association,” Policarpio said.
She noted that many women who have been released from detention or who surrendered to authorities are rejected by their families and communities, harassed, or presumed to still be involved in extremist activities.
Others, however, have managed to rebuild their lives with support from livelihood programs, trauma-informed care, and guidance from local leaders.
Policarpio said the RUJ framework includes anti-stigmatization advocacy, community-based reintegration planning, and localized research on restorative practices.
These pillars, she emphasized, are essential to breaking cycles of violence and resentment, especially among children raised in isolated or excluded households.
BJMP is also expanding its custodial and post-release programs by integrating restorative justice into services such as education, legal aid, and paralegal support.
In his keynote address, Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen expressed strong support for institutionalizing restorative justice, calling it a system that offers “pathways to healing” that are often absent from the formal justice process.
On the second day of the National Conference on Restorative Justice, held on July 9, 2025, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City, Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen delivers a keynote message urging the justice sector to embrace restorative practices that promote healing, dignity, and reintegration. (Trixee Rosel/MB)
“Justice cannot be reduced to punishment — it must repair relationships, acknowledge harm, and promote dignity,” Leonen said, backing efforts to embed restorative approaches in jails and communities.
Over 100 BJMP lawyers and jail officers took part in workshops during the two-day conference to explore how restorative principles can be applied in detention management and reintegration, particularly in conflict-affected areas such as parts of Mindanao.
Informal and traditional justice systems in the Bangsamoro region were also showcased as models for community-based reintegration.
Panelists take part in a discussion on restorative justice during the second day of the National Conference on Restorative Justice held on July 9, 2025, at Luxent Hotel in Quezon City. From left: Atty. Tricia Clare A. Oco, Executive Director of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC); Ms. Chontit Chuenurah, Director of the Office for Bangkok Rules and Treatment of Offenders, Thailand Institute of Justice; Nicole Angelie Policarpio, Program Manager, Climate Conflict Action (CCAA); Prof. Moctar Matuan (Ret.), Marawi State University; JSINSP Marc Francis Bauya, Warden, BJMP Trece Martires City; and Nikki Philline de la Rosa, Trustee and Senior Adviser, CCAA (facilitator). (Trixee Rosel/MB)
Formerly known as International Alert Philippines, CCAA leads national efforts on peacebuilding and reintegration through climate-conflict analysis and grassroots dialogue.
It plans to formalize the RUJ framework with BJMP through pilot programs and policy support within the next six months.
With increasing support for trauma-informed justice and inclusive reintegration, the conference underscored a broader shift in the country’s justice system—from handing down sentences to rebuilding lives as part of national peace and recovery efforts.