Topic Four: Community Involvement in the
Rehabilitation and Treatment of
Criminal Offenders

Paper – Mr. R. Liwag, Undersecretary, Department of Justice,
The Philippines
Paper – Mr. K. Teramura, Professor, UNAFEI
Reaction – Mr. R. Cornejo, Media Proctitioner, the Philippines
Reaction – Mr. T. Basman, Secretary-General,
Philippine Islamic Council
Reaction – Mr. D. L.A. Jimenez, Chairman, Volunteers Against
Crime and Corruption, the Philippines

Please note that the following papers have not been edited
for publication. The opinions expressed therein are those of
the author’s. They do not necessarily reflect the position of
the departments or agencies that they represent.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION
AND TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS
ByMr. Ramon J. LIWAG
Undersecretary, Department of JusticeI.

INTRODUCTION

Crime prevention, in its widest sense, is any activity, public or private, that has the result of reducing
the incidence of criminal behavior.
Insofar as the corrections pillar is concerned, crime prevention refers to efforts that seek to change
the behavior of criminals so that they will not reoffend. It includes all activities designed to produce sociallydesirable results - healthier inmates, higher educational attainment, decreased dependence on illegal drugs,
and the like.

II.

THE COMMUNITY

Crime prevention occurs in several domains. One of these is the community. The community’s
participation in crime prevention represents the public’s acceptance of its shared responsibility with theofficial sector for crime prevention. It proceeds from the view that the root causes of crime such as
unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy are not within the control of any one component of the criminal
justice system. It is the responsibility of the community to help overcome these problems.
It must be stressed, however, that the community’s role in crime prevention only complements or
supplements the efforts of the State. For example, the job opportunity programs of the community must be
based on the skills the offender may already have or may have acquired while in prison. The community
would be hard put in setting up employment programs for offenders who are totally unskilled or who havenot acquired any training while in confinement.
In this regard, this paper will attempt to identify the role the community can play in crime prevention
by determining the rehabilitation and treatment programs being offered by the government, moreparticularly, by the Bureau of Corrections in its major prison facility, the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa
City, and by the Parole and Probation Administration.

III.

NEW BILIBID PRISONIn the year 2000, the New Bilibid Prison or NBP had an inmate population of 14,925. The inmatesof the said prison were provided with the following rehabilitation programs:
1. Education and Skills Training
2. Religious Services
3. Recreational Activities
4. Work and Livelihood Programs— 97 —

A.

Education and Skills Training
The NBP education and training programs consists of the following1:
a. Formal education - Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Small Entrepreneurship), high school andelementary education2;
b. Non-formal education or adult literacy - this seeks to give inmates numeracy, reading and writing
skills; andc. Vocational training.

Teaching at the NBP is handled by 11 teachers; 10 Clerks and Prison Guards who work as teachers;
and 75 inmates who act as teaching assistants. The teaching staff is under 2 supervisors.
Last year, a total of 4,246 inmates or 28.45% of the inmate population were enrolled in educationand training programs. 1,026 of them graduated.
NBP INMATE EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CourseEnrollees

Graduates% of graduates

Elementary

167

22

13.17

High School

369

44

11.92

College

236

7

2.97

3

Adult Literacy

2,836

665

23.45

Vocational

651

288

44.24

4,246

1,026

24.16

TOTAL

NBP VOCATIONAL COURSES4

1

2

3
4

5

Type

Enrollees5

Graduates• General Building Construction

23

13• Refrigeration/Air Conditioning

54

56• Radio Mechanic

64

35• Metal craft & Art Design1516• TV Mechanic (B&W)

34

21• Practical Electricity

70

33• Tailoring & Haberdashery

22

26• Shoemaking & Leather Craft

15

21

The Bureau of Corrections does not have formal educational programs in its other male penal institutions in Davao, Palawan, Oriental
Mindoro, Leyte and Zamboanga del Sur. It is, however, planning to open college degree programs in all of the penal institutions.
Negotiations are on going with Ateneo de Zamboanga for the setting up of a college program in San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.
106 inmates inside the NBP maximum security compound are enrolled under the College Assurance Program (module type). At theCorrectional Institution for Women, 38 female inmates are enrolled in the same course.
The number includes students carried over from the previous year.
The table shows more graduates than enrollees in some of the courses, The reason for this is that the column on graduates include oldenrollees.
The table show more graduates than enrollees in some of the courses, This is due to the inclusion of old enrollees in the column for
graduates.

— 98 —

• Wire & Décor

23

20• Auto Mechanic

85

39• Furniture & Cabinet Making

6

8

411

288

TOTAL

It would be worthwhile to note that only 576 medium and minimum security risk inmates wereenrolled in the NBP elementary and high school courses. Considering that around 23 % of national prisoners
have not gone beyond primary schooling, the number of enrollees in the primary grades and in high school
is disappointing. This is due mainly to the lack of schoolrooms and training facilities. As for the low
percentage of graduates in the elementary, high school and college courses, this is due to releases fromprison of student-inmates and course drop outs.
B.

Religious Services

Religious services are performed by a Chaplaincy Service manned by 2 government chaplains, a fulltime volunteer chaplain and around 300 religious volunteers. Last year, the service rendered the following
services to a pastoral congregation of 14,925 inmates, broken down as follows: 90% Roman Catholics; 8%,
Other Christian Denominations; and 2%, Muslims:(i) Worship - prayer (mass, bible services, fellowship), ministerial rites (baptism, wedding, funeral)and para-liturgical (devotional novenas, processions);(ii) Formation - catechetical, recollections, bible study, seminars; and(iii) Other services - literacy classes, scholarship grants, guidance counseling, medical referrals, skills
training, etc. (These services are given to both inmates and their families.)
The following is a numerical count of worship and formation services at the NBP during the monthof October 2001:
Type of Service

No. ofservices

No. of inmatesservedNo. of personnel
performing services

a. prayer

213

3,976

215

b. Ministerial

59

267

19

c. para-litugical

115

1,070

290

a. catechetical

58

1,710

277

b. seminars/conferences

6

281

14

c. guidance/counseling

46

200

14

d. others

183

2,439

630

680

9,943

1,459

1. Worship

2. Formation

TOTAL— 99 —

As for the “Other services” enjoyed by NBP inmates, these refer to the following:(i) Medical/Dental• Quarterly by the Seventh-Day Adventist• Monthly by the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service (PJPS)• Twice a year by Caritas Manila;(ii) Dental- Every last Wednesday of the month by an unspecified group at the Medium Security
Compound;(iii) Catarac Extraction - Twice a year by the PJPS;(iv) Artificial Eye - by an unspecified group for 40 inmates per year;(v) Eye glass refraction - per availability of volunteers(vi) Seminar on active non-violence in the Maximum/Medium Security Compounds at an unspecified
frequency;(vii) Peer counseling workshop by an unnamed group every Sunday at the Maximum Security
Compound;(viii) Others• Donation of coffins/casket• Religious Seminars and paralegal training by the Episcopal Commission of Prison Pastoral Care
• Hospital supplemental feeding
In a survey held last month of 22 religious volunteer organizations operating in the NBP, half said thatthey do not provide non-institutional services to inmates.6 As for the other half, 3 provide job placement
services; 1, housing assistance; 1, transportation facility and transportation fare; 1, livelihood and transportation
assistance; and 2, follow-up services. 3 did not specify the non-institutional services they provide.7

6

7

Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ; Bible Baptist Church; Caritas-PJDP-Servants of the Holy Eucharist; Christ Fishers of Men; Iglesia ni
Cristo; Jehovah's Witnesses; Jesus is Lord Church; Jesus Miracle Crusade International Ministry; Lighthouse Ministry; Christian
Fellowship, Inc.; Members of the Church of God in Christ Jesus Ground Pillar of Truth in the Phil.; NBP Bible Center; Sonlight
Ministries, Inc.
According to the Bureau of Corrections, Caritas Philippines, a faith-based organization, provide after-care services to released prisoners
in the form of job placement and livelihood programs “though the recommendation of (the) NBP Chaplaincy Office”. Scholarshipprograms are provided by the Philippine Jesuit Service to deserving children of inmates.

— 100 —RELIGIOUS VOLUNTEER GROUPS THAT PROVIDENON-INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES
Name of Organization
Type of Service

C.

1. Amazing Grace Christian Ministries, Inc.

Not specified

2. Pan-World Blind Mission, Inc.

Not specified

3. Grace of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ Fell. Inc.

Not specified

4. Paaralan ng Buhay

Job placement

5. International Prison Ministries

Job placement

6. Christ Living Epistle Ministry

Housing

7. Episcopal Church in the Philippines

Transport facility & transportation fare

8. Church of Christ

Follow-up

9. Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM)- Catholic

Transportation & livelihood assistance

10. The Valley Cathedral Ministry

Follow-up

11. Asian Christian Charismatic FellowshipJob placement & transportation assistance

Recreational Activities

NBP inmates are encouraged to participate in various recreational activities to promote their physicaland mental fitness as shown in the table below:
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
No. of participants• Volleyball192• Basketball805• Badminton/table tennis

90• Scrabble/domino/chess90• Daily sunning

1,500

T OTAL

2,677

The type of recreational activities that are available is limited. They are also enjoyed by just 17.94%
of NBP inmates. In this regard, one can question the value of “daily sunning” as a recreational activity.
There is a tennis court inside the maximum security risk compound. However, only around 20 inmates playthere regularly.
D.

Work and Livelihood Programs

1,808 NBP inmates were employed last year in work and livelihood programs, 308 of them worked
in a handicraft-making factory of Samsung Philippines, a private business enterprise located inside theMedium Security Compound. 27 inmates were employed in NBP agro-industrial projects and 570 worked
as office orderlies/cleaners.
The number of NBP inmates who work as a mere 16.11% of the total inmate population. In thisregard, the skills acquired by inmates in the Samsung project appear to have little value in the job market
since the handicraft products they produce are only marketable in South Korea.
— 101 —

E.

Provision of Basic Needs of Inmates

P 280,506,954.87 was appropriated last year to meet the basic needs of national prisoners. Thistranslates to P 51.49 a day per Inmate, P 30.00 of which is for food.
BASIC NEEDS OF INMATES
Item

Cost

• Food ration for at P 30./day/365 days

P 264,191,238.30• Medicine at P 1.00/day/inmate

12,130,582.90• Laundry soap

1,353,483.67• Mosquito net

1,010,250.00• t-shirt• Blanket

1,681,50000• Sleeping mat• Gratuity of P 50.00 each for released prisoners

139,900.00

TOTAL

280,506,954.87

The per capita allocation for inmates is clearly insufficient to promote their physical well-being.
Moreover, there is acute overcrowding, around 28%, in the NBP. All of these lead to dehumanizing
conditions that make the social reintegration of the offender difficult to achieve.
F.

Parole and Probation Administration

Probation is based on the notion that the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders are better achievedin the community. Since the community is the center for legal, socio-economic and cultural changes anddevelopments, probation enables offenders to adapt more effectively to life outside prison. They areprovided with a network of relationships and a variety of real life situations that enable them to reacquireor improve their social skills.
G.

Volunteer Probation Aides

Under the Probation Law of 1976, as amended, a member of the community may be appointed as a
Volunteer Probation Aide or “VPA”. In practice, a VPA is matched with not more than 5 clients who areunder the supervision of a regular parole and probation officer. The volunteer performs his task by visiting
the clients at home or in the workplace. Also considered as a VPA is one who gives material assistance tothe PPA, such as medicine, office supplies, seedlings for tree planting activities, transport facilities andproviding a venue for group activities.
H.

Number of Volunteer Probation Aides

From 1978 to 1992, the PPA drew on the assistance of 2,077 VPAs nationwide. Today, the number
of VPAs has shrunk to 167 and they are only found in 8 Regions. The significant drop in the number of
VPAs has been attributed to the failure of the PPA to continue its practice of reimbursing the travelingexpenses of volunteers.

— 102 —REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF VOLUNTEER PROBATION AIDESRegion
• NCR
• CAR
•I
• II
• III
• IV
•V
• VI
• VII
• VIII
• IX
•X
• XI
• XII
• CARAGATOTALPrevious No. of VPAs
1978-1992
100
95
80
124
146
281
54
222
279
100
201
218
124
53
2,077

Present No. of VPAs
12
5
59
1
51
19
1
19
167

The VPAs helped supervise 3,509 clients or 3.78% of 92,859 probationers, parolees and pardonees.
There is, however, no correlation between the supervision caseload of Parole and Probation Officers and thenumber of VPAs providing assistance. The reason for this is that the volunteers do not have specific clientsassigned to them.
I.

Community Support

For the period from January to June 2001, PPA units nationwide utilized the services/support of 521
government agencies, 310 Non-government organizations and 211 individuals to meet the rehabilitationneeds of its clients.

Region
•I
• II
• III
• IV
•V
• VI
• VII
• VIII
• IX
•X
• XI
• XII
• CAR
• NCR
• CARAGATOTALPPA COMMUNITY SUPPORT (YEAR 2000)
GOs
NGOs
Individual
26
15
8
11
3
3
32
13
14
87
18
18
75
36
43
49
23
6
106
52
35
41
21
30
21
1
3
27
10
17
11
11
2
1
1
2
21
2
11
13
5
521
211
192
— 103 —

The monetary value of outside assistance, including cash contributions, received by the PPA
amounted to P 399,728.00 last year.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO PPA REHABILITATION PROGRAMS BY GOS,NGOS AND INDIVIDUALS (Y 2000)
RegionMonetary Value• CAR
P 35,000
•I
5,000
• II
• III
143,848
• IV
8,150
•V
26,245• VI
20,810• VII
39,156• VIII
7,215• IX
18,305•X
71,339
• XI
• XII
5,000
• CARAGA
12,600
• NCR
7,000
TOTAL
P 399,728
J.

Halfway House

In 1997, the Philippine - Japan Halfway House began operating inside the NBP prison reservation in
Muntinlupa City. The project is a joint effort of the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation, the Nagoya West
Lions Club and UNAFEI, from the Japanese end, and the Asia Crime Prevention Philippines, Inc., theDepartment of Justice, the National Police Commission, the Department of Social Welfare and Development,
the Muntinlupa Lions Clubs and other non-governmental organizations on the side of the Philippines.
The facility served 176 clients from October 1997 to July 2001. The inmates’ stay ranged from 1 day
to 1 year and 11 months. 24.14% of the residents received vocational training.8 residents were released fromthe Halfway House are presently under parole supervision by the Probation and Parole Officers in the places
where they reside.9 80% are gainfully employed or were given livelihood projects by the Department ofSocial Welfare and Development 39 Halfway residents were transferred to the NBP Minimum Security
compound; 16 were expelled for violating house rules; and 4 escaped. At present, there are 16 residents in
the Halfway House.
Doubts have been expressed as to whether the facility is truly a “halfway house”. Since the Halfway
House is located inside a prison complex and its residents are still serving a prison term i.e. under guard,
the residents are unable to leave the facility and to mingle freely and to interact with free society. Moreproperly, the facility only serves as a separation center.10
8 22 received training in shoemaking. 13 in refrigeration and air conditioning. 5, in automotive mechanics; 1 each in carpentry andpractical electricity.
9 38 of the released residents are under parole supervision by Probation and Parole officers. All, except for 2, are unemployed. None of
the employed former residents were able to use the skills they learned in the halfway house.
10 Under Sec. 2, Art. XXV of the 1960 “Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners” of the Bureau of Prisons, a “national prisoner shall, 30 days
before his scheduled date of release, be transferred to the Separation and Placement Center for purposes of reorientation with the ways offree society, preparatory to his final discharge.” The NBP currently maintains a Separation Center where inmates stay from 1 day to 10
days before the date of their release. While there, the inmates are given guidance counseling.

— 104 —

IV.

OBSERVATIONS

Budgetary constraints have created big gaps in the institutional services that NBP inmates get. These
deficiencies are found in almost all of the vital inmate services. These include medical aid, food, clothing
and counseling services to help inmates improve their attitudes towards themselves and others. The
community has made substantial contributions in dealing with said gaps.
Similar gaps are found in the services available to released inmates and probationers. Among theseis the absence of government or government-supported halfway houses to ease their entry into open society
and assistance in securing employment, dealing with medical problems, education for their children,
counseling and housing. The PPA has plans to put up halfway houses. It had received pledges for the
donation of building sites for said purpose in 6 administrative regions. For lack of construction funds,
however, the PPA has been unable to act on the pledges.
Parole and Probation officers carry a heavy workload of 154 supervision cases a year. Since
Corrections has a low priority in the allocation of government funds, more VPAs should be recruited to easesaid workload. This will require the development of a volunteer resource development program either in thefield offices or in the PPA central office.
There is need to expand the use by the PPA of restorative justice principles in the treatment ofoffenders. It should enhance the involvement of its clients in more community service work, that is, inactivities that enable them to make amends to society, such as tree planting, cleanliness and beautification
projects. The PPA should also consider providing crime victims with greater participation in the postsentence and pre-executive clemency investigations conducted by parole and probation officers.

V.

CONCLUSION

The community gives ample support to the efforts of the New Bilibid Prison to promote the spiritual
growth and high moral standards of inmates. It has, however, not given enough attention to the needs ofinmates who cross over from institutional life to freedom. This is the most critical phase in the reformationof criminal offenders. This is the period when an ex-convict, whose need for emotional and material support
is most acute, is most vulnerable to suffering a relapse. Unfortunately, the community does not provide
enough programs and services to smoothen such transition. This is the area where the community has yet
to display its full potential. Considering that faith-based and community organizations have the trained
personnel with specific skills and access to large numbers of volunteers and material resources, they canplay a more expansive role in ensuring the successful re-entry and integration of ex-convicts into society.

— 105 —

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION AND
TREATMENT OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS
ByMr. Kenji TERAMURA
Professor, UNAFEII.

INTRODUCTION: SIGNIFICANCE OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN
CORRECTIONSCommunity involvement has been one of the important components of the criminal justice system inorder to achieve the successful rehabilitation and treatment of criminal offenders. Nowadays many
jurisdictions put much emphasis on support from the community in providing various services as well as inearning understanding on the difficult work involved in both institutional and community-based treatmentsof criminal offenders. The smooth reintegration into society and the through-care of criminal offenders
cannot be done without community involvement.
In view of this importance, the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators(APCCA) has repeatedly discussed the issue of community involvement. The 20th APCCA (2000) selected
the issue of community involvement in corrections as one of the agenda items and indicated the following
three major reasons were considered to be important for corrections incorporating community involvement:(i)‘Offenders must be released into the community when their prison sentence has expired andcommunity input is vital to improving the chances of their integration into society.’(ii) ‘An open relationship between the community and corrections is critical to increasing publicawareness and the role of correctional services.’(iii) ‘Volunteers and non-government organizations can be involved in the provision of valuable
services to prisoners and ex-prisoners.’
Although the above reasons are not necessarily exhaustive, community involvement assumes a vitalrole from the initial stage when offenders encounter the formal reactions of the criminal justice system tothe aftercare stage when they are truly re-integrated into society.
In a more broader way, Ms. Caparas, a UNAFEI participant, clearly demonstrated one of the excellent
criminal justice practices that incorporated community mobilization to strengthen four formally organizedcomponents in the Philippine criminal justice system: i.e., law enforcement, prosecution, courts andcorrections. Her paper (2000) emphasized the significance of close coordination and integrated strategies
among criminal justice agencies by maximally utilizing community involvement to further enhance bothcrime prevention and offenders’ rehabilitation.
This paper mainly examines the role of community involvement in Japanese corrections in order todeepen understanding on the current situations in Japan and to make a useful international comparison forenhancement of discussion in this session. Then, with reference to some relevant group workshop reports
prepared by UNAFEI International Training Course participants, this paper tries to clarify major problems
and their countermeasures in mobilizing community and indicate some suggestions in the field ofcorrections.

— 106 —II.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION AND TREATMENT OFCRIMINAL OFFENDERS IN JAPANIn Japan, all matters regarding corrections are within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Justice. The
Correction Bureau, an interior organ of the Ministry of Justice, has direct control over the correctional
administration concerning the institutional treatment of both adult and juvenile offenders. The noninstitutional treatment or the community-based treatment of offenders is under the administrative control of
the Rehabilitation Bureau of the Ministry of Justice. Both Bureaus closely cooperate with each other torealize a smooth transition from institutional treatment to community-based treatment. Community
involvement is one of the keys for both Bureaus to achieve better treatment and rehabilitation of offenders
and to keep closer collaboration between the two Bureaus.
This chapter firstly deals with the current situation of community mobilization in the field ofcommunity-based treatment. Next, community involvement in institutional corrections will be explained.
As referred above, the Japanese Corrections deals with both adult and juvenile corrections, this chapter
mostly covers the topics in adult corrections. Those in juvenile corrections will be briefly explained if they
seem worthy of a mention.
A.

Community Involvement in Community-Based Treatment in Japan

There are several types of community involvement in the rehabilitation of offenders. In terms ofoffenders, the Rehabilitation Bureau introduced the ‘Community Participation Program’ in 1992 as an
educational measure for juvenile offenders to broaden their perspective of society, and not as a punishment
by depriving them of liberty. The effects of the program include:(i)to develop client’s sense of responsibility as a member of society and enhance his sense of selfesteem;(ii) to know different types of people in the community and learn their way of life and value sense
as an identifiable role model; and(iii) to learn how to develop sound interpersonal relationships with others.
The program is categorized into these four groups:(i)Community service in social welfare institutions such as for the elderly or physically disabled
people in the community,(ii) Work experiences on farms or in public areas,(iii) Observation tour of historical spots, public facilities or construction areas, and(iv) Recreational activities such as skiing, soccer, cooking, fishing and camping.
In some cases the juvenile offenders engage themselves in the practices together with other young
persons from the community. In this program, the community gets involved in the rehabilitation of offenders
by arranging the community programs, receiving offenders to the programs, giving advise to the offenders,and building constructive relationships between offenders and the community.
Other forms of community involvement are an active participation of volunteers in the rehabilitation
process. The rehabilitation system in Japan has been characterized by the extensive participation ofvolunteers, which is collectively named the participatory model.1

1

As of 31 December,1999, volunteer visitors (1,964) and chaplains (1,835) were working for both adult and juvenile correctional institutionsin Japan. In community-based treatment, as of 1 April 2000, about 49,000 volunteer probation officers (VPO) and other numerous groups
cooperate in the rehabilitation of offenders such as Big Brothers and Sisters Association (BBS) (6,053, this body is solely utilized forjuvenile corrections), Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid (WARA) (202,345), and Cooperative Employers (4.606).

— 107 —

Important characteristics in the participatory model include:(i)

Various types of community involvement are available so that many people can participate intheir activities according to the individual interests and circumstances;(ii) Good communication and collaboration among the volunteer organizations;(iii) Initiatives of the public while government promotes systematization and assists further
development; and(iv) Policy’s emphasis on grass-roots deterrent power of crimes in the community.
The following section describes, among many, volunteer probation officers (VPOs)2 who act asgovernment agents in the rehabilitation services; the juridical persons for offenders rehabilitation services
approved by the Ministry of Justice; and other volunteers who contribute to the prevention of crime andrehabilitation of offenders such as the women’s association for rehabilitation aid, big brothers and big sisters
association, and cooperative employers.
1. Volunteer Probation Officer (VPO)
Since the enactment of the Volunteer Probation Officer Law in 1950, approximately 50,000 persons
have served as VPOs throughout the country. According to the Offenders Rehabilitation Law, a VPO is
expected to assist the Professional Probation Officer (hereinafter called PPO) and make up for inadequaciesof the latter’s work under the supervision of the director of the probation office. Of the VPO’s rehabilitation
aid activities, the most important is supervising and assisting probationers and parolees assigned to him/her,while keeping close consultation with the PPO.
Legally, the VPOs are defined as non-permanent officials of the National Government and are entitledto the benefits of national compensation when any bodily injury is inflicted on them in the performance of
their duties. However, they are not paid any remuneration for their services. The Government may pay
only the total expenses incurred in discharging their duties, or a part thereof. As in any other fields ofvolunteer work, what constantly motivates VPOs is a sense of mission and gratification from helping others.
As for the recruitment of VPOs, the Volunteer Probation Officer Law requires VPOs to be:(i) evaluated highly with respect to their good character and conduct in the community;(ii) enthusiastic and sufficiently available to work;(iii) financially stable; and(iv) healthy and active.
To recruit VPOs, the directors of the 50 probation offices prepare a list of candidates based of theinformation gathered from various sources in the community. In effect, the list reflects to a great extent theopinion of representatives of the VPOs’ Association. Further screening is made by a VPO Screening
Committee, an advisory committee to the Ministry of Justice that is established in 50 locations
corresponding to probation offices. This committee consists of representatives of the court, prosecution, thebar association, correctional institutions, probation and parole services, other public commissions in thecommunity and learned citizens. The candidates who successfully pass the screening process are thenappointed as VPOs by the Minister of Justice.
2

A growing number of countries in the world have also become interested in volunteer involvement in offenders rehabilitation and haveintroduced the VPOs system. Japan introduced probation before World War II. However in the Asia-Pacific region, probation was only
introduced recently in most of the countries; for example, in 1976 in the Philippines, 1979 in Thailand, 1985 in Papua New Guinea, and1989 in the Republic of Korea. Existing volunteer systems in the world can be divided into two groups:a) Volunteers who undertake most of the duties of probation officers (e.g. Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Papua New Guinea andRepublic of Korea)b) Volunteers who assist Probation Officers while the Probation Officers themselves always carry out their official duties (e.g. thePhilippines, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka)— 108 —

The term of service of a VPO is two years with the possibility of re-appointment. In practice, mostof them are re-appointed repeatedly for a number of years and receive periodical training programs assistedby the probation offices because the duties of a VPO requires long-term experience with much knowledge
and skill about the treatment of offenders.
The activities of VPOs are classified into two categories: Rehabilitation Aid Activities and Crime
Prevention Activities. The VPO rehabilitation aid activities include:(i) to supervise and assist the probationers and parolees assigned to the VPO;(ii) to conduct environmental adjustment soon after an offender is committed to a correctional
institution until the pre-release stage to enhance an earlier discharge and better adjustment after
release;(iii) to locate a probationer or parolee who has moved to the VP’s residential area with or without
permission and take over their supervisory casework; and(iv) to conduct preliminary investigation for a candidate for pardon.
Both probation and parole supervisions are conducted through the close collaboration of the PPO and
VPO. While the professional probation officer is involved in the case as a specialist in the treatment ofoffenders, the VPO works as a neighbor to the offender, assisting them on behalf of the community. The
volunteers are assigned on the basis of their place of residence to one of 901 Rehabilitation Areas of thecountry. They are guided by a PPO in charge of the rehabilitation area. VPOs have formed a VPOs’
Association in each area. Every VPO is affiliated with one such association depending on their residence.
Leaders of VPOs’ associations form organizations at prefectural, regional and national levels, which playroles in facilitating better VPO activities by means of training, awards and other services.
The advantages of the VPO system, as generally acknowledged among practitioners, can besummarized as follows:(i)

Since both the VPO and the parolee live in the same community, a parolee can make immediatecontact with a VPO (immediate contact).
(ii) The VPOs can provide the offender with various social resources and useful information about
the community to help them rehabilitate in the community (social resources).
(iii) The VPOs find themselves in a more advantageous position in bringing about a change in the
public attitude towards the offender and in mobilizing social resources (practices based oncommunity needs).
(iv) The offender and their relatives look upon a VPO as a neighbor, rather than as a representativeof the government. As a fellow citizen, s/he can demonstrate purely fraternal concern about thewelfare of the offender and even intervene in the offender’s family relationship more smoothly.
Experiencing such a relationship with the volunteer undoubtedly helps the offender regain theirself-respect and identify themselves with law-abiding culture; since most offenders have neverpreviously experienced such warm concern for them (close relationship).
(v) VPOs live continuously in the community, and therefore, can establish relationships on a more
continuous basis. A PPO sometimes fails to keep close relationships because s/he needs totransfer to other offices every two or three years. Furthermore, even after the expiration of theparole period, private relationships between the offenders and the VPOs may continue in theircommunity, and the VPOs may provide them with various services even though there is no legal
requirement to do so. This continuation of providing services may contribute to therehabilitation of offenders (continuous support).
(vi) A VPO can provide more flexible services as s/he is not bound by regulations and working hours
as much as regular staff (flexibility of services).
However, the VPO system itself is not immune from several problems. Some arise along with the— 109 —

changes in our society. The following are examples of major problems that the VPO system has been
facing:(i)

VPOs as laymen are likely to deal with their clients according to personal or inherent views thathave been established through their personal experiences. This may result in a wide differencein the treatment of offenders from one VPO to another. Although treatment methods should be
individualized, such partial treatment, resulting in partial disposition should be minimized inorder to ensure that every probationer and parolee gets the same benefit from probation andparole supervision.
(ii) The average age of VPOs tends to become older year after year. At present, the average age of
VPOs is more than 60 years. On the other hand, more than three-fourths of the clients are under
20 years of age. The generation gap may disturb smooth communication and invalidate positive
influence. Also, VPOs used to be easily recruited from among those who had a good reputationin the traditional community. However, it has been difficult to recruit VPOs in urbanized areas
because there are few qualified residents in this regard (e.g. new comers are not well known in
the new community).
In mobilizing community maximally in the community-based treatment by VPOs, backup policies
should keep up with changes and needs in our society. In 1999, the Amended Volunteer Probation Officer
Law was enforced to strengthen the following points:(i)

Community organizing and networking activities for crime prevention and the mobilization ofsocial resources are defined as major activities of VPOs;(ii) The VPO’s association is defined as a public organization certified by the Law, to which every
VPO is affiliated without exception depending on their residence; and(iii) Cooperation of municipal governments with VPOs and VPO associations is emphasized in the
Law.
The VPO association’s roles as “a supply base” for VPOs’ rehabilitation activities and “an advancedbase” for crime prevention are supposed to receive full attention under the new Law. Specifically, theseaffiliations play an important role in the maintenance of mutual solidarity, the development of abilities (skills
development training) and the co-ordination of efforts and resources, as well as crime prevention activities.
2. Juridical Person for Offenders’ Rehabilitation
The Law for Offenders Rehabilitation Services (1995) established the juridical person for offenders
rehabilitation in the form of a non-profit organization for offender rehabilitation services such as (i)accommodating offenders in halfway houses (Shelter Aid Services), (ii) providing material aid (Temporary
Aid Services), and (iii) financially supporting other rehabilitation organizations under the supervision of aprobation office (Liaison and Assistance Service). As of 1 April 2001, juridical persons for offenders’rehabilitation run 101 adult and juvenile halfway houses in Japan. Services (ii) and (iii) indicated above areprovided by the Rehabilitation Aid Association.
All of the 101 halfway houses are run under the authorization of the Ministry of Justice. Amongthem, 5 hostels accommodate only juveniles, 22 hostels are only for adults, and 74 hostels are for bothjuveniles and adults. Additionally, 91 hostels accommodate only men, 7 hostels only women, and 3 hostels
both men and women. The total capacity of the halfway houses is some 2,300 individuals with each facility
averaging from 10 to 110. While most residents work daily outside of the halfway houses, those deemed
unfit for outside employment are provided jobs at workshops available in some halfway houses. There is a
total of 526 employees nationally; an average of five per facility. Among them, 163 employees (at least
one in each hostel) are in charge of the treatment of offenders and most are appointed as VPOs concurrently
The national government supervises and provides financial support to the halfway houses. In 1999,— 110 —

halfway houses received approximately 76 percent of their budget from the national government.
In this connection, some countries/regions in Asia (e.g., Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea) haveaccumulated their rich experiences in this field. Other countries have introduced recently such intermediate
measures (e.g., the Philippines for adult prisoners), while others have not.
Among many problems the halfway house should address are the growing number of aged inmatesat halfway houses, lack of financial stability, difficulty of recruitment of staff and unfavorable reactions fromthe community.
3. Rehabilitation Aid Association
Rehabilitation Aid Associations represent another type of juridical persons for offender rehabilitation
services. There are 68 such associations throughout the country, at least one in every prefecture. They
contribute to rehabilitation services in two ways. One is to provide temporary aid such as meals, clothing,
medical care and travel fares to offenders experiencing difficulties in their daily lives. The other is toprovide liaison and assistance services to persons and organizations working in rehabilitation services, suchas halfway houses, VPO associations and other volunteer organizations. They accomplish the latter by
providing subsidies, textbooks for training, tools and materials for crime prevention activities, and educating
the public on crime issues.
4. Other Volunteer Organizations
In addition to VPOs, there are other private organizations that are not directly involved in thetreatment of offenders, but give much support to the community-based treatment of offenders. Probation
Offices and Regional Parole Boards support and guide the following first two organizations.
Firstly, the Women’s Association for Rehabilitation Aid (WARA) is an autonomous group that
conducts crime prevention activities in the community and helps offenders rehabilitate themselves bymaking use of their experience as women and mothers. For example, it organizes crime prevention meetings
for residents, including junior high school students and material support to VPOs, halfway houses and Big
Brothers and Sisters (BBS) groups. Also they visit inmates in correctional institutions and encourage themto rehabilitate. Currently, more emphasis is placed on supporting young mothers who are at a loss forbringing up their children.
Secondly, the Big Brothers and Sisters (BBS) Association is an organization of youths who befriend
delinquent youngsters and discourage their delinquency. Regardless of educational or occupational
background, any person aged from 17 to 30 capable of befriending delinquents, with a proper understandingof their problems and needs, can be a member. There are 578 associations, some of which are certified asuniversity clubs. Their activities include organizing sports events, doing volunteer work in the homes ofaged people, doing group work outdoors and talking about their life and future. Their activities are
conducted based on entrustment by probation offices, the Family Courts, child consultation centers, local
police, etc.
Finally, Cooperative Employers help offenders or juvenile delinquents by offering stable employment
in spite of their criminal history. However, in recent years the number of Cooperative Employers tends tobe decreasing because of economic recession.

— 111 —

Cooperative Employers by Occupation ( as of 1 April 2001)
Occupation
Construction
Manufacturing industry
Service entrepreneur
Wholesaler, retailer
Constructor of electricity, gas and water supply
Transportation
Agriculture, forestry and fishery
Mining industry
OthersNumber
2,330
804
411
247
164
152
57
10
430

Total
Source: Rehabilitation Bureau, Ministry of Justice
B.

4,608

%
50.1
17.4
8.9
5.4
3.6
3.3
1.2
0.2
9.9
100.0

Community Involvement in Institutional Treatment in JapanThe Japanese institutional corrections also widely makes use of volunteers and private organizations
in supervising offenders and helping them reintegrate into the community. Firstly, volunteers are vigorously
involved in religious services, counseling, teaching both academic knowledge and technical skills.
Secondly, prison labor is also supported by a style of public cooperation, which stabilizes and promotes thesmooth running of prison labor. Thirdly, when the inmates participate in extramural activities, volunteers
provide such valuable opportunities as helping disabled people, working experiences in the community, etc.
Finally, VPOs consistently contribute to enhance early-release of prisoners as well as to assist rehabilitation
and reintegration of offenders from the time of admission to the time of their successful return to thecommunity.
1. Volunteer Participation in Various Educational Programs: Prison Chaplains, Volunteer Visitors, andOther Agents
Educational programs in Japanese penal institutions mainly include orientation at the time ofadmission and release; academic training for helping those inmates who have not completed compulsory
education up to junior high school to earn a diploma; correspondence including courses for those who wish
to receive higher education at the senior high school or college/university level; living guidance including
special group treatment programs by offence typologies, individual/group counseling, lectures. All of these
programs are carried out not only by the prison staff but also with the assistance of volunteers from outside.
Extramural curricula are also provided in terms of community services such as cleaning parks, attendance
at local recreational events, visits to factories, and taking examinations outside the prison to obtain various
kinds of qualifications and licenses.
2. Volunteer Visitor System
Prisoners have a wide variety of problems and personal concerns. Life guidance and counselingservices are quite important programs in order to solve such issues. Also they often look for hobbies thatwill cultivate their lives. Such inmates’ needs are better assisted by outside volunteers who have abundant
knowledge and experiences. In view of such needs, the Volunteer Visitor System was established in 1953
to enhance correctional treatment. In recent years, about 2000 Volunteer Visitors are actively involved inproviding and supporting various prison programs indicated below.

— 112 —

Volunteer Visitors by Occupational Field (as of 31 December 1999)
Service Field

NumberReligion
Education
Literature
Rehabilitation
Commerce & Industry
Social Welfare
Law
Others
Total

%

334
357
284
234
124
65
98
468

17.0
18.2
14.5
11.9
6.3
3.3
5.0
23.8

1,964

100.0

Contents of Assistant by Volunteer Visitors (as of 31 December 1999)
Contents

NumberCultureIndividual Counseling
Hobbies
Family Guidance
Vocational GuidanceAftercare GuidanceReligious Guidance
Judicial Guidance
Others
Total

%

8,853
6,621
5,000
2,133
1,481
1,683
1,008
457
3,211

29.1
21.8
16.4
7.0
4.9
5.5
3.3
1.5
10.5

30,447100

Source: Correction Bureau, Ministry of JusticeIn recent years, special group treatment programs for inmates such as stimulants abusers, traffic
offenders, sex offenders, violent offenders, etc. have been studied intensively to further enhance inmates’
rehabilitation. In such intensive programs, volunteer visitors are increasingly contributing in-class lectures,group discussions or counseling, etc.
3. Chaplains
Since the Constitution of Japan stipulates the separation of the State and religion as a corollary of thefreedom of religion, the Government is prohibited to employ prison chaplains as government officials.
However, with the voluntary cooperation of priests who are registered at each institution, inmates canreceive religious guidance from their own sects upon request. Religious services provide them with mental
and moral support through cultivation of religious sentiment. In 1999, some 1,800 volunteer chaplainsprovided about 20,000 religious services for inmates including foreign inmates. For both volunteer
chaplains and volunteer visitors, national and prefectural level associations are organized with the close
collaboration of the Correction Bureau.

— 113 —

4. Prison Industry: CAPIC and Prison Camp Programs
Well functioning prison industry is one of the important features of Japanese corrections. Prison work
is compulsory by law for those sentenced to imprisonment with labor, who account for the majority (99%)
of convicted prisoners. Through prison work, inmates acquire working habits as well as occupational knowhow and skills. There can be little doubt that working hard in the daytime helps to raise the morale ofinmates and to maintain discipline. In FY 2000, the daily average population who participated in prison
industry was about 46,000 and its annual revenue was about 10.3 billion yen.
As with the operation of the prison industries, due to the unavoidable budgeted curtailment forcorrectional services, the Prison Industry Cooperation Division was set up within the Japanese Correctional
Association in 1983. Since then, this third sector agency has been providing the raw materials necessary
for the operation of prison industries and turned over working funds for the materials. Prison products
distributed by this agency have the brand name of ‘CAPIC’, which has a good reputation with many
Japanese citizens thereby enhancing the positive understanding of the general public toward offender
rehabilitation.
As with the management of open camps, there are two modes of management: i.e., one form of prison
camps are managed directly by the State, in the other, prison camps are managed through the cooperationof private sectors in the free society. In the latter type of prison camps, inmates may commute everyday
from the prison to the prison camp outside (a kind of daytime-leave), or they may stay at a dormitory
attached to camp (a kind of overnight-leave). One of the examples is Oi Ship-building Dockyard Camp,established in 1961, attached to Matsuyama Prison. The Dormitory, where prisoners and prison officers live
together, is managed through self-governed activities among the residents. The prisoners commute everyday
to Ohi Dockyard, where prisoners and other ordinary workers work together. The dockyard is managed andowned by a private company.
5. VPO as one of the Catalysts to Enhance the Through-Care of Offenders
The rehabilitation of prisoners is most enhanced when both the institutional treatment programs andthe aftercare programs are well arranged and appropriately implemented in accordance with each offender’srisk and needs. A smooth transition from the institutional treatment to the community-based treatment is
the key to achieve an effective reintegration into society. In view of inmates’ smooth reintegration into
society, correctional programs place a special emphasis on the parole of inmates.
Although the Penal Code provides only two requirements for parole eligibility: (i) the prisoner has
served one-third of his sentence for a determinate sentence or 10 years for a life sentence; (ii) s/hedemonstrates a state of reformation, these are regarded as only necessary conditions for parole application.
In practice, a classification committee organized in each institution meets at least once a month even
before the eligibility date for parole to decide whether to submit an application for parole to the Regional
Parole Board (RPB). The most important criterion in evaluating qualification for parole is a low probabilityof recidivism. To examine this probability, the committee takes into account numerous factors such as
behavioral, personal and social factors, factors related to the present offense, a release plan and community
resources. For such substantive arrangements, correctional institutions collaborate with relevant probation
offices in order to successfully achieve early-release and well-planned supervision and aftercare services
from the time of admission. VPOs strenuously support this process in assisting an environmental adjustment
for each inmate.
The following diagram shows the process of how the environmental adjustment is conducted. Firstly,
as soon as an inmate is committed to a correctional institution, based upon the initial classification andtreatment planning result, the institution provides a classification summary that includes the person’s— 114 —

physical and psychological characteristics, employment plans and his/her family’s name and address
to the probation office which has jurisdiction over the prospective place where s/he would like to live.
At this moment, usually, the PPO entrusts the duty of social inquiry to a VPO living near the inmate’s
family. The VPO must visit immediately the prospective place to determine the feasibility of an
inmate’s return there. The VPO tries to eliminate any negative factors in cooperation with family
members. Such adjustment efforts continue until an inmate’s release date subject to the discovery ofa more suitable return location. When no family is available, similar efforts are directed towards
finding an appropriate employer, friend, halfway house, or other resource person or agency.
Without the VPOs’ assistance, most of the environmental adjustment cannot be achieved. In
recent years, about 95 percent of parole applications are approved by the RPBs and 60 percent of thetotal inmates are successfully released on parole, in which the VPO serves an indispensable part andpartially contributes to prevent the correctional institutions’ overcrowding in the backdoor step.
During inmates’ incarceration period, the VPOs often visit or write to them and encourage theirrehabilitation.

Classification
Summary

RP
R

Prison / Juvenile Training School

Report(Recommendation)

Probation office
Report(Recommendation)

Classification
Summary
PRO/VPO

Family, Guarantor, etc.

After conditional release, the assigned VPO starts supervising the offender. The VPO keeps in touchwith the offender and his family by means of mutual visits and interviews generally twice a month or so.
The VPO submits regular progress reports on each offender to the probation office every month. When theparole officer thinks it necessary, judging from the information from the VPO or the offender’s family, s/heinterviews and supervises the offender as crisis intervention. Such a supportive relationship continues until
the parole supervision is successfully terminated and s/he resumes a self-sustaining and law-abiding life asa community member.

III.

CONCLUSION: WHAT SHOULD BE SOUGHT FOR THE BETTER COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT IN THE REHABILITATION OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS?

As briefly described above, Japanese Corrections, both in the community-based treatment and theinstitutional treatment of criminal offenders, have incorporated community involvement to achieve thethrough care of them. Close coordination and collaboration among all the agents who are involved inoffender rehabilitation is the key in effective mobilization of community.
However, some UNAFEI International Training Courses indicated major obstacles when we mobilize
the participation of the public: e.g., lack of public interest, security risk for both formal agencies andcommunity members, difficulties in securing qualified and skilled helpers, shortage of the budget to meetthe needs of the community volunteers, insufficient community support from community for specific groups— 115 —

of people who are in need of intensive intervention, etc.
The following are some of the suggestions that might enhance the further discussions in this seminar:
1. Differentiate Our Clients from Offenders’ Risk and Needs and from Conditions of his/her
Circumstances
When we introduce community assistance to offender treatment, we should reconsider theimportance of proper assessment of offenders’ criminogenic needs and risk and the properclassification for the most appropriate treatment selections is underscored. An appropriate
assignment of community assistance should be differentiated in terms of levels and qualities ofservices of the individual needs and risk.
2. Engagement of the Media and Promotional Strategies should be arranged to raise publicawareness.
The difficult work of corrections is often invisible to the general public. Although correctional
authorities have tried to enhance public awareness through various campaigns, needs on thecommunity involvement change year by year. Both long-term and short-term strategies finely
tuned with current practices, their problems and needs must be publicized openly toward thecommunity to incorporate sufficient assistance and understanding from the community.
3. Coordination and Cooperation Correctional Agencies and Volunteers should be further enhanced.
In order to secure the consistency and continuity of treatment, relevant agencies have to keep
good coordination and cooperation. The same thing is also applicable for community
mobilization. Community involvement may be maximally utilized when the related agencies
share and better coordinate volunteer activities. Offender’s rehabilitation is the product ofcollaboration among all the relevant members in both the criminal justice field and community.

References
Andrews, D.A. (1999). The Importance of the Appropriate Management of Risk and Reintegration
Potential. UNAFEI Resource Material Series, 54, 261-270.
APCCA (2000) Agenda Item Three: Community Involvement in Corrections. Record of the 20th APCCA.
(www.apcca.org/pubs/20th)Caparas, D.L.A. (2000). Participation of the Public and Victims for more Fair and Effective Criminal Justice
Administration in the Philippines. UNAFEI Resource Material Series, 56, 241-258.
Correction Bureau (1999). Correctional Institution in Japan Tokyo: Correction Bureau
Correction Bureau (2000). Current Situations in Corrections Tokyo: Correction Bureau
Khan, M.Y. et al. (1998). Early Release of Prisoners to Facilitate Their Reintegration into Society: The
Actual Situation, Problems and Countermeasures. UNAFEI Resource Material Series, 54, 391413.
Ministry of Justice (2000). White Paper on Crime Tokyo: Ministry of Justice.
Murege J.M.. et al. (1998). Rehabilitation and Correctional Programmes in the Community to Prevent
Recidivism by Discharged Prisoners; The Actual Situation Problems and Countermeasures.
UNAFEI Resource Material Series, 54, 391-413.
Odongo J.I., et al (2000). The Participation of the Public and Victims for More Effective Administration in
the Treatment of Offenders. UNAFEI Resource Material Series, 56, 300-324.
Rehabilitation Bureau (2000). The Community-based Treatment of Offenders in Japan. Tokyo:
Rehabilitation Bureau.

— 116 —

REACTION
By
Mr. Rod CORNEJO,
GMA Network, the Philippines

Two influential members of the Filipino community are the church and the media who make up what
is popularly called “Civil Society.”
I appear before you with two hats: that of an executive of a broadcasting organization known as GMA
Network. And that of a volunteer in a church jail ministry known as Prison Fellowship Philippines.
The Philippine media industry, aware of its power to mould public opinion and consent, has amandate not only to provide news and entertainment but also to engage in community work in the name of
public service. For this reason, two of the country’s largest TV networks have each established a foundation
to do humanitarian work.
GMA Foundation, of which I am a director, is the humanitarian arm of our company. Its work is
focused in the promotion of education, health and the rights of the child, among others.
As Assistant to the President and head of Community Relations, I represent our Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and the company in a number of government and non-government agencies, foundations
and cause-oriented groups to manifest our concern for the community and our partnership with government
in nation building. Since our Network is a private commercial station whose goal is to make money, andbecause my job is not to make money but to serve the community, I have been dubbed the “conscience” ofthe company.
Prison Fellowship Philippines, of which I am a director, is a Christian Ministry to the jails. Its
primary mandate is to help prisoners find new hope during their incarceration and to give the prisoners
opportunities to acquire skills and means of livelihood that will enable them to start a new life upon theirreturn to the folds of society. Prison Fellowship defines its work as an act “moved by the love of God” to
set the captives free. Free from guilt and hatred, free from hopelessness and helplessness, free from thebondages of spiritual bankruptcy.
This is the thought I hope to leave with all of you, partners of the community pillar. The spiritualside of the community which believes in the goodness and power of God which upholds the Christian
principles on justice and mercy, repentance and restoration, salvation and eternal life.
This is no wishful thinking or fanciful preaching. I have seen hardened criminals change for the better
because they have found new hope and purpose in Christ. This is further evidenced by the generally
peaceful atmosphere in the national penitentiary and local jails made possible by the teachings and charitableacts of church organizations reaching out to the prisoners and their families. This is rehabilitation work in
its truest form.
We, Filipinos, should be thankful for our freedom of religion which has encouraged our prisons to beopen to teachings about God. Most, if not all, of the prison officials I know welcome church work inside
the prisons as this serves to promote peace and harmony.
Through the media, the public is made aware of the transforming power of faith in the prisons. While
many members of our society may remain skeptical about criminals becoming saints, most of you— 117 —

representing the pillars of our criminal justice system recognize the positive contributions made by religionsin the rehabilitation of the prisoners. If you agree, say Amen.
I thank God for my job which brings me not only to the palaces of the powerful but also to the pitsof the powerless. My work in the media and in the prisons has allowed me to see man’s capacity to hateor to heal, to destroy or to restore, to be greedy or to be generous, to be selfish or to be selfless, to do evilor to do good.
Where does the transformation begin? When man begins to love and fear God.
The Holy Bible teaches us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. I believe this is thewisdom we seek for in this four-day seminar. May God grant it to us.

— 118 —

REACTION
By
Professor Taha M. BASMAN
Philippine Islamic Council

Assalamu Alaikum. May peace be upon everybody during this very important occasion centering on
community involvement in the criminal justice administration. We know that this forum is being held at avery appropriate time when our communities are struggling to be at Peace with ourselves and with all othermembers of society – “Ramadhan” for the Muslims and “Christmas” for the Christians. Our spirituality
during these Holy days can effectively reinforce our determined effort to curb criminality in all corners of
the world.
The papers read by Justice Undersecretary Ramon J. Liwag and Professor Kenji Teramura present alucid picture of the unique position of the Community Pillar in the Criminal Justice System. While thecriminals abuse and offend this particular sector, the Community goes beyond “turning the other cheek” and,in fact, strives hard to rehabilitate and treat its abusers and offenders. What can be more noble than thisgesture! The statistics and relevant information contained in both papers confirm this situation to be realand not merely an obsession.
I agree with Undersecretary Liwag that, “the community’s participation in crime prevention
represents the public acceptance of its shared responsibility with the official sector for crime prevention. It
proceeds from the view that the root causes of crime such as unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy are notwithin the control of any one component of the criminal justice system. It is the responsibility of thecommunity to help overcome these problems.”
Perhaps, an inclusion of data on the specific effects of the community effort, if plausible, such as a
reduction in criminality through the years, can pave the way for creative initiatives for more pioneering
activities on the part of the community to make the re-integration of the offenders smooth and effective.
My concern on this matter is influenced by the observation that in both societies (the Philippines and Japan),
despite the active involvement of various groups and individuals in helping the inmates cross over smoothly
from institutional life to freedom, one can not be assured of a decrease in criminality.
I cannot dare venture to disagree substantially with the observations, analyses and proposals presented
by our speakers. They are acknowledged experts on the subject matter. However, due to the sudden upsurgeof one type of criminality which is now seriously hounding the whole world – from Zamboanga City to
New York and Jerusalem – it behooves us to include a non-sense discussion of “terrorism” and otherrelevant issues for the community to effectively counter such menace. Since this particular criminality does
not value human lives, of both the perpetrators and the victims, there is a need for an objective discussionof the subject matter, either in this forum or in another occasion which deserves priority attention among
Governments, peace advocates, and religious leaders. It must be noted that the “terrorists” have found an
effective counter to hi-tech and sophisticated armament of the authorities, by using a very primitive andsimple strategy – suicide bombing.
In the proposed discussion, an “interfaith dialogue” is needed to address all the concerns of the sectors
affected by the menace. For this purpose, such dialogue must have the following features:
1. It must be held in an environment of mutual respect among people of different faiths;
2. It must aim at mutual understanding – understanding the Muslim as a Muslim and the Christianas a Christian. It seeks to explore our respective faiths, coming to know what we as Muslims or— 119 —

3.

4.
5.
6.

as Christians believe and hold dear, what we practice as peoples of prayer and spiritual discipline,
how we live our lives and the role of religious and moral guidance in that living, the way we holdour sacred books, the worries that we have as Muslims and Christians about our children, the lifeof our communities, the life we live as peoples of faith. That mutual exploration does not proceed
in a spirit of debate or even apology;
It is not just talking together but may also involve praying in each other’s presence. It may
involve reading the Scripture of the other and seeking the help of the other to understand its
message;
It is essential that we listen to our partners in dialogue deeply and in “their own terms;”
It is a way of meeting one another across the similarities and difference of our religious andcommunities – but the similarities should be highlighted; andIt must be regular and supported by both the community and the government.

In a nutshell, the points raised by both speakers, and the proposal to counter terrorism and similar
crimes, must become our guidelines in charting the present and the future thrusts of our efforts at crime
prevention.
Thank you.

— 120 —

REACTION
By
Mr. Dante L.A. JIMENEZ
Chairman, Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, the Philippines

It is not true that I am not comfortable with the topic of rehabilitation. Our organization is where victims
come and we have to bind ourselves against the perpetrators of various crimes and these are heinous crimes.
When we talk of rehabilitation, sometimes it becomes our second priority. What is important to us is to capture
these people who inflict harm to many victims of crimes including corruption.
Let me react to the presentation of the Honorable Ramon J. Liwag with regards to community
involvement and which is a perception in the government service. I think while we just complement, as
community, the government’s role which is the principal implementor of the criminal justice system (CJS)
particularly in the rehabilitation of prisoners. This is the problem facing now our government that thecommunity is taking the second lead – the background. It has to be a “partnership.” Also, I would like tofocus on volunteerism, we have the Probation Law of 1976, as amended. The problem there is that a memberof the community maybe appointed as a Volunteer Probation Aide (VPA). It is better to remove maybe. It
has to be a requirement. Because here, when we say maybe, everything will depend on the budget. Pleasetake note that the presentation concluded that the main problem of our rehabilitation is budget constraints. We
have to take note of the tremendous reduction of volunteers from 2,077, 1978 to 1992 precisely because hemade mention of non-payment or reimbursement of expenses of volunteers. There lies again the problem ofbudget.
There was also a presentation of halfway houses which is my first time to have heard of it. I am
wondering why there had been doubts as to its viability. Well in fact, the presentation of Mr. Kenji Teramurathat in Japan, they have many halfway houses. There has to be a lot of discussion on this so that the successof halfway houses must really be given utmost consideration.
The presentation of our friend from Japan is well elaborated and I need not expound further or react on
this because our concern in Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) is the problem of our present
penal system, the implementation of laws here in our correctional system. In fact, I requested the organizers
if I could participate here so I will be able to share with you the problems of victims who come to our office.
The question is how to rehabilitate our jail wardens?
It is really the reality that I would like to mention here and I think Mr. Liwag here knows that the New
Bilibid Prison (NBP) is really a big problem. We victims really have to visit our prisoners there. We shouldhave a jail watch. We have to check the killers of our loved ones. There was a time where you heard or learn
from the newspapers that there were three prisoners who were released because of fake release orders. Thisis something that has to be looked into. Because unfortunately, one of the convicts there was the killer of mybrother, Carlito Aguilar. I am still waiting for the report of the NBP what happened to the investigation of the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). I understand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) through the officeof Mr. Liwag do not have the latest information and I have to go to the NBI.
My dear friends we in the community really must involve all pillars of the crminal justice system,
particularly the Corrections Pillar. It is quite unfortunate that our focus is more on the following-up of cases
which are staying so long in various law enforcement agencies. But I say, though we are victims of convicts
we believe that they really have to be rehabilitated and re-accepted to the community. Lastly, we have toimplement all our laws regardless whether these laws are really very harsh.
Congratulations again to the organizers, Arigato!
— 121 —