“Dinggin ang panawagan ng mga kapatid sa bilangguan sampu ng kanilang mga kaanak na nais na Makisilong sa isang sulok ng iyong puso”

THE PLIGHT OF THE PRISONERS

Prisoners and detainees suffer more than they have to, mainly because society believes that they should suffer for offenses committed personally or in connivance with others.  Prisoners are regarded undeserving of concern and protection.

The prevalent societal attitude of apathy has tolerated the sorry plight of prisoners manifested in the following:

Subhuman living conditions. Inadequate daily food allowance, inadequate beds, toilets and other sanitary facilities, lack of basic services. The budget allocated by government is always too small for the basic needs of prisoners.

Human rights violation. Solitary confinement is still practiced and corporal punishment prevalent. prisoners are subjected to other acts of humiliation that clearly violate their human rights.

Slow judicial process. Many suspects, not yet found guilty, are already detained while awaiting hearings and sentence that take months and years. The injustice is greater when they are found not guilty as charged.

- Lack of rehabilitation program in penal institutions due to inadequacy of funds.
- Failure of government to provide facilities and services to prisoners with special needs, namely, the mentally ill, the handicapped, the  very  young, the old and the sick.

THE PRISON SOCIETY: Who Are They?

The Prison Society includes:

Prisoners and detainees

Those sentenced to imprisonment and those under preventive detention.

Released Prisoners

Those who have served sentenced, those under parole or conditional pardon, and those who have obtained probation

Dependents

Family members of prisoners presently detained, incarcerated or released (who are heads of families) as well as other people dependent of the latter’s talent, time and energy

Prison/Jail Employees

Those who work as prison staff members in government service

Prison Volunteers

Individuals and organizations that come to the aid or serve the interests of prisoners, inspired by the spirit of volunteerism

Together, they make up the Prison Society and suffer with the prison inmates the effects of incarceration.

ECPPC BRIEF HISTORY

On March 25, 1975, the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines received a letter-petition from the inmates of the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Metro Manila. In that letter, they enumerated their problems and sorry condition and expressed their desire to improve the plight of their fellow prisoners throughout the country, including their families.

It was a plea for help.

In response, the CBCP formed that year the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care. And henceforth it became the agency of the CBCP charged to promote that total development of the members of the prison society.

The ECPPC pursues this objective through the organization of Volunteers In Prison Service who will implement the Integrated Pastoral Program for the Rehabilitation of the Prison Society.

SPECIFIC FUNCTION

The Commission on Prison Pastoral Care: shall study and evaluate all matters pertaining and related to the members of the prison society in general, and recommend to the Conference such other issues that may require its decisions; shall generate public awareness of the plight of the prison society and encourage active involvement in prison apostolate through formation and promotion activities; shall foster closer collaboration and cooperation with all the members of the tri-sectoral society for a more problems; shall initiate, implement and support activities and measures which promote and help in the development of the members of the prison society and those working for them; shall undertake activities for the financial support of the programs and projects of an integrated pastoral plan for the total development of the prison society; shall assist in the organization of Volunteers in Prison Service (VIPS) offices and units in the dioceses.

Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care
c/o CBCP-ECPPC
470 General Luna Street, Intramuros
Manila 1002
Tel/Fax no: 527-4059

E-mail Address: ecppc@yahoo.com

1. CBCP-ECPPC BISHOPS

Chairman   : Bishop Pedro D .Arigo
Vice            : Bishop Edgardo S. Juanich
Treasurer   : Bishop Manuel C. Sobreviñas
Member     : Bishop  George B. Rimando
                   Bishop Artemio Rillera

2. CBCP-ECPPC STAFF

Exec. Secretary    :  Rodolfo S. Diamante
Accountant           : Angelito Cariaso
VIPS Coordinator   : Gerard Ian Bernabe
Pastoral Program Officer:
                                 Michael V. Bartolome
Cashier: Rolando Arriola
Office Assistant:  Dolly Pangilinan

3. Consultants/Resource Persons

a) Auditor/Finance: Juliet B. Rafael
b) Publicity/Promotion : Cesar Banaag / John Nelson Tan
c) Volunteer Organization: Alfonso S. De Ocampo/ Gerard Ian Bernabe

PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

ECPPC’s CURRENT MAJOR THRUSTS

1. Promotion and Organization of Volunteers in Prison Service in various dioceses to deliver meaningful rehabilitation program for the prisoners (As of October 1999 we have about 67 volunteer units all over the country)

1. Continuing Advocacy of Enlightened Legislations that promote and serve the Christian values and attitudes towards offenders. (The ECPPC spearheaded the formation of the Coalition Against Death Penalty)

1. Establishment of Linkages and Partnerships with groups, agencies and organizations involved in prison.(The ECPPC is a founding member of the Philippine Action for Youth Offenders)

1. Sustained Program for ECPPC Staff and Volunteers towards the deepening of their commitment and understanding of the prison ministry to better deliver services needed to promote the interests of the prison society. (The ECPPC conducts special projects for correctional employees and volunteers)

INTEGRATED PASTORAL PROGRAM FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE PRISON SOCIETY

WORSHIP PROGRAM
Liturgical
Baptism
Holy Eucharist or Mass
Penance-Confession or Reconciliation
Sacrament of the Sick
Para-Liturgical
Bible Service, Prayer Meetings, Meditation, Spiritual Readings,
Visit tot he Blessed Sacrament, Holy Hour,
Novena, Rosary, Procession, Way of the Cross
Paraphernalia
Altar, Candles, Missalettes, Vestments, Missal
Music
Choir
Musical Instruments
Songbooks

FORMATION PROGRAM

Catechetical
Religious Instruction-doctrine, moral, scripture, liturgy,
Spirituality
Seminars/Conferences
Bible, Papal Encyclicals, Vatican II Documents, Personhood,
Family life, Sexuality, Community life; Delinquency, Correction,
Drug Addiction Pornography, Factionalism or Regionalism
Leadership, Vocations, Personality Development, Restorative
Justice
Recollections
Library
Media
Press releases/articles
Documentary films/slides
Radio broadcasts      

SERVICE PROGRAM
Legal
Reviews, revisions, amendments, proper implementation of laws
Appeals, complaints, follow-up of cases
Petitions for clemency or amnesty
Socio-Economic
Job training & placement
Self-employment, Loan Assistance
Medical/Dental Aid
House Visitation
Stamp Aid Program