Today, March 9, the nation commemorates #PublicLibraryDay, a meaningful celebration spearheaded by the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) in collaboration with public libraries across the country. For the Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory (ICJMD), this year’s Public Library Day holds special significance as it highlights the transformative impact of its partnership with the Iligan City Library.
As part of this celebration, the Iligan City Library has generously donated books to ICJMD’s jail library today, bolstering the facility’s commitment to education and rehabilitation under its “Read Your Way Out” (RYWO) project. This initiative, launched in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the NLP, aims to promote personal development among Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) through accessible learning opportunities.
The RYWO project has revolutionized the jail’s approach to rehabilitation. With the establishment of Reading Corners in all 35 dormitories, PDL now have access to educational materials anytime. These corners complement the main jail library and address space limitations, ensuring a wider reach for the program.
The impact has been remarkable. From May to December 2024, 487 PDL earned Time Allowance for Studying, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM) credits specifically through library activities, representing a 771% average monthly increase compared to earlier figures. These provisions, along with Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), provide meaningful incentives for PDL to engage in productive and rehabilitative activities.
In January 2025 alone, the number of PDL earning TASTM credits rose to 239—an 82% leap from December 2024—highlighting the project’s growing success. JCINSP CARMELO A CORSAME, jail warden, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Iligan City Library for their unwavering support. “This donation strengthens our mission to promote education and rehabilitation among PDL. Books represent hope, knowledge, and a path to a brighter future,” Corsame said. He also underscored ICJMD’s ongoing book drive to further develop its library resources.
