It was another sweltering day in Iligan City, and Raffy sat in the corner of the male dormitory, a weathered notebook open on his lap. The lines on his face told the story of years spent behind bars, but his eyes gleamed with newfound hope as he animatedly arranged colorful blocks of code on a small computer screen. “Before this, I never thought I could learn something so modern, so relevant,” Raffy shared, a smile creeping across his face. “Scratch has shown me that I still have a future waiting for me out there.”
Raffy is one of ten Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) at the Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory (ICJMD) who recently completed a course on Visual Programming using Scratch. This initiative is part of the “Behind the Bars” Program, a groundbreaking effort led by the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) in partnership with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Region X (BJMPRO-X). Through education and skills training, this program offers PDL like Raffy the chance to reclaim their lives and prepare for reintegration into society.
Rehabilitating Through Technology
The Visual Programming course, conducted on March 25, 2025, by the College of Computer Studies under the guidance of Prof. Alquine Roy Taculin, introduces participants to the basics of coding through Scratch, a beginner-friendly platform. Designed to foster creativity and critical thinking, the course marks a significant leap for PDL who have had limited access to technology. Prof. Taculin explained, “This course is more than just an introduction to coding. It’s a lifeline—a chance for these individuals to build a foundation for their future.”
For Raffy, the program wasn’t just about acquiring technical skills. It was about hope. “Learning Scratch was like unlocking a door I never knew existed,” he said. “Now, I can see beyond these walls.”
Hands-On Skills for a Better Tomorrow
In another corner of ICJMD, the hum of conversation mingled with the occasional crackle of wires being tested. This was the scene at the Basic House Wiring course, also held on March 25, 2025. Facilitated by Prof. Roque Requino of MSU-IIT’s College of Education, the program trained twenty PDL in the fundamentals of electrical wiring over a 40-hour curriculum. By the end, participants were not only certified to perform basic wiring jobs but also equipped with the confidence to pursue careers in this field.
“This course gives PDL the tools they need to create opportunities for themselves,” Prof. Requino remarked.
For Vheejay, a participant in the program, the experience was transformative. “I never thought I could learn something so practical,” he said. “Now I have a skill that can support me and my family when I leave.”
Reclaiming Dignity Through Sports
Rehabilitation at ICJMD isn’t confined to classrooms and toolkits. On March 21, 2025, the facility’s basketball court became a space of renewal as twenty-five PDL took part in a basketball officiating course under MSU-IIT’s “Reclaiming Freedom through Sports, Dance, and Exercise” initiative—also under the “Behind the Bars” program. Organized by the Physical Education Department, the course was a unique blend of physical activity and mental discipline.
For many participants, like Mark, the program was about more than mastering rules and regulations. “On the court, I felt like I was part of something bigger,” he shared. “It reminded me of what teamwork and respect feel like.”
A Program of Possibilities
These courses are just a glimpse into the comprehensive “Behind the Bars” Program, launched in November 2023 to provide PDL with pathways to personal and professional growth. Renewed in February 2025 through a Memorandum of Agreement, the program includes offerings like English Literacy, Financial Literacy, Painting, Soap Making, and more. Each course is tailored to address the diverse needs of PDL, fostering not just skills but also self-expression and self-worth.
JCINSP CARMELO A CORSAME, city jail warden, sees these programs as a lifeline for PDL. “The ‘Behind the Bars’ Program is proof that rehabilitation works when you invest in people. It gives them the tools to rebuild their lives and, more importantly, the belief that they can.”
Conclusion: A Second Chance at Life
The Iligan City Jail-Male Dormitory may be a place of confinement, but through the “Behind the Bars” Program, it has become a space of transformation and hope.
For individuals like Raffy, Vheejay, Mark and countless others, the program is not just about acquiring skills—it’s about reclaiming their lives, one lesson, one wire, and one game at a time. It’s a reminder that even within the most unlikely walls, the seeds of renewal can take root and thrive.
