Ten persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory (QCJFD) were released from detention during the facility’s "Freedom Jail" initiative, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said on Friday, Aug. 1.

QCJFD warden Chief Insp. Lourvina Abrazado said the initiative is part of the BJMP’s heartwarming celebration of second chances granted to the PDLs.

She noted that each released PDL received an artisan kit, which is a livelihood starter package designed to support their reintegration into society and empower them to begin a small business or craft-based livelihood.

Abrazado encouraged the newly-released PDLs to embrace the new chapter of their lives with hope and determination.

He also assured that the rights of the PDLs under the QCJFD’s supervision are protected with the conduct of regular informative seminars.

Recently, the QCJFD’s Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) led by Jail Officer 2 (JO2) Marisheil Pias and JO1 Abeguil Yañez conducted an informative lecture on the "Nelson Mandela Rules for Persons Deprived of Liberty."

The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners establish essential guidelines for the humane treatment of prisoners and are aimed at ensuring their dignity and rights.

It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on Dec. 17, 2015 and is known as the Mandela Rules in honor of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, who was a symbol of the struggle for human rights after spending 27 years in prison.

Abrazado stressed that the activity specifically informs the PDLs about their basic rights and the standards of care and protection they are entitled to, even while in detention.

She noted that the lecture provides the PDLs insights about the principles of on-discrimination, rehabilitation and respect for human dignity, "values that Nelson Mandela himself lived by."

Abrazado noted that the program forms part of the QCJFD’s continuous efforts to foster a rights-based approach to jail management, empowering PDL through education and active engagement.

On the other hand, Abrazado said security and safety measures for the PDLs and jail personnel were up in the midst of the heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon and recent typhoons in Metro Manila.

"This proactive measure ensures the safety of PDL, staff, and the overall security of the facility. The entire jail team remains on high alert, ready to respond to any emergency and implement disaster response protocols when necessary," he said.