In the first week of May 2020, we launched the Community Bail Bond program. In partnership with the jail wardens and their officers, the Public Attorney's Office and Non-Governmental Organizations, we identified low risk, first-time, non-violent and bailable offenders as potential participants for the program. We then bailed out these individuals, coordinated with their local courts, and developed an integrated supervision mechanism where we make sure that they attend court hearings, participate in community based rehabilitation programs, be employed, and they will not engage in new offenses.
We raised bail money through our Bayanihan Crowdfunding Program where friends and supporters who heeded our call shared their resources. We are also fortunate to have lawyers and law students who volunteered their services for free to our program. Finally, we have NGO partners in the jail and in the community who provided transformative services to the participants.
Thus far, there are 16 individuals referred to our program, of whom, six had been interviewed and approved. Of the six, three had been successfully bailed out and fully reintegrated to their respective families and communities. Three more are expected to be released in the next couple of days.
Through our program, the government has now saved PhP 5,250.00 as of May 31, 2020. This is computed by adding the amount budgeted per day (PhP 70 for food) times the number of days since release from jail for every individual released. These savings will increase as days go by and as long as their cases are not terminated. Additionally, these individuals are now back to the community and actively engaged in their livelihood, thus healthily contributing to the economy. On top of that, we reduced jail crowding which is a very big problem afflicting our correctional facilities, especially in the time of the COVID19 pandemic. Finally, we minimized their exposure to the criminogenic jail environment leading to better reentry to the society as responsible members.
But this is just the beginning. I envisioned that more Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) would be referred to our program soon. I envision that many people will be restored to their liberties and dignities. When we, as a community, show our compassion to the less fortunate members of our society, we offer them a hook that they can use for their transformation. In the long run, this will benefit all of us in terms of lower rates of recidivism and increase sense of public safety.
Walang tutulong sa Filipino kundi kapwa Filipino.
If you are willing to support us through Bayanihan Crowd Sourcing:
If you are a lawyer/law student/ paralegal volunteer and wish to help:
If your NGO is willing to partner with our program:
If you want hear more about the program, download and listen to this link:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12btn7PSb-dBG___Mwl_d-un1Hlu3KH02t8yuOnk1cBg/edit?usp=sharing
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