A to Z

Randel Latoza is the best Chief the Bureau of Jail Management of Penology (BJMP) never had. He is the best penologist the Philippines had ever produced. He passed away too soon, to the wildest grief and tremendous bewilderment of his family, friends, colleagues, and all the people whose life he transformed. Randel is a visionary. He envisioned a correctional system that is humane, just, effective, and corrupt-free. And he acted on those visions--- in 2015, he was a Warden of the Quezon City Jail Male Dorm, one of the most crowded facilities in the Philippines. He put together a team-- the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and his local staff, to develop an architectural design for the new jail. He then tapped me as a consultant and that was when I met him for the first time. With his instructions, our task was made easy-- he wanted the jail to be modern and top of the line, where it conforms to human rights standards, and it has the capacity to reform and rehabilitate its clients. His visions were presented to the City Government, which helped fund the construction of the new jail. This year would have been the final completion of the new facility. With his passing, he will never see what he has started. But every nook and corner of the jail will have Randel's imprints---it will be a reminder that, once, a great visionary walked the halls of the BJMP. Humbly, I say, the BJMP should name the new facility in his honor: Latoza Center of Excellence. Randel is a charismatic and effective leader. Running a mega-jail in the Philippines is the toughest of jobs. It is full of intrigues; one mistake and you are out. But he listens to people, even how lowly they may be in rank. He disciplines them if they commit infractions, but he does it in a loving and caring way. The inmate leaders talk about the dignified way he deals with them, showing them the big picture, so they can be empowered to keep the peace. I was always mesmerized by the conflict mediation strategies he developed in the jails that brought the gang leaders together. Indeed, jail officers and Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in any jail facility that he led, respect, honor and adore him. Jails that he led are teeming with innovative programs, new strategies, and new structures--because he unleashes the creativity of jail officers and PDLs alike. When he was transferred to a new post, PDLs and officers he left behind always shed tears. They wanted him for more. Randel is a loyal friend. He will help you when you are in need, no questions asked. He maintains his "babies", mentors them, inspires them, leads them. He develops relationships that last for decades. He is honest, he will tell you in your face what ails your character, but he does it in a humorous, loving way. He breaks you down, but he has an uncanny way to bring you up, whole. He is a friend like no other-- he is professional in his dealings but also knows how to engage you in a personal brotherly way. He calls himself A to Z. He tells everyone: Remove the beginning: "L" and the end: "A" in his last name Latoza, and it will give you "A to Z". That is what he says: "He will be with you from the Beginning until the End." That is his trait, his character, his identity, his destiny. For all the people he touched, he will be remembered from beginning until the end. He will be remembered for all the jokes and laughter he cracked. He will be remembered for all the words of wisdom he shared. He will be remembered for all the little and big things he freely gave to everyone. The memories will never end. And in his honor, we will live his visions. We will aspire to be good leaders. And we will always be loyal friends. Salute! Rest well, A to Z

This picture was taken Jan 20, 2023 when we donated the Risk Assessment tool that our team painstakingly created from 2015 to 2019 to the BJMP. A labor of love given freely.

As he says, this is just the beginning. In his honor, we will push his vision for the BJMP until its realization, until the end.