Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING

Introduction

Today, no country is spared of COVID-19, and all countries are coming up with

novel drastic measures to checkmate the spread among their citizens. These include

border closures, suspension of flights, partial or total lockdowns and curfews, with

unbearable consequences on their citizens. In the Philippines, a state of emergency

was declared because Covid-19 constitutes a grave danger of unimaginable quantum,

which must be dealt with decisively without any delay (The Guardian, 2020a).

Curfew has been implemented as a restriction that more often used in natural

disasters, or to quell unrest, and has never been tested against a pathogen like the

virus. It requires people to be indoors during certain hours. With coronavirus infections

rising and a contagious new variant threatening to accelerate the pandemic, many

country has implemented a stringent curfew. Citizens nationwide are sequestered

indoors, and businesses must close down.

During the curfew time, no one was allowed to move except the medical and

nursing staff, police, and the armed forces. The government announced that these

nationwide curfews will enable epidemiological investigation teams to trace patients'

contacts and test them. Moreover, the complete curfew promotes social distancing and

minimizes the number of new infections.

While mathematical modelling can help evaluate the likely impact of different

strategies in implementing curfew, demonstration of efficacy comes when these

approaches are still debated to be implemented in the field. Therefore it is critically need

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to determine from local experiences of epidemic management which set of interventions

may be sufficient for the control of a SARS-CoV-2 epidemic while having the lowest

societal cost.

Due to this, the researchers became interested to conduct study to identify the

resident perception and level of acceptance on curfew hours during this pandemic in

General Santos City.

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to investigate the resident perception and level of acceptance on

curfew hours during this pandemic in General Santos City.

Specifically the researcher sought to find out the answer of the following

questions:

1. What are the resident perception about the implementation of curfew in General

Santos City during this pandemic?

2. What does the level of acceptance of the citizens of General Santos City

regarding city wide curfew?

3. Is there any significant difference in the extent the resident perception and level

of acceptance on curfew hours during this pandemic in General Santos City?

Theoretical Framework

Criminal rehabilitation is gaining popularity among many who are forward

thinking. Such forms of rehabilitation can help to reduce the number of repeat offenders

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who return to jail after being unable to adapt to life outside of jail. This can also help to

solve some of the more serious cases, such as sexual offenders who may continue in

their ways after being released, preying on women or children. Criminal rehabilitation

can help to solve the problem of overcrowding in most prisons. The criminal population

continues growing, as the death penalty has been abolished, and the state would need

to spend more on facilities to house criminals (Wright, 2007).

In California, inmates may get involved in a program known as “Joint Venture.”

The first joint venture opened in July 1991. Now, sixteen companies employ 500

inmates throughout the state prison system doing everything from raising pigs and

ornamental plants to manufacturing office furniture, stainless steel equipment, rubber

products, and electronic components. About 72,000 prisoners nationwide are employed

in inmate work programs, according to a 1998 Corrections Industry Association report.

An increase in positive inmate programming has proven to minimize institutional

violence because of decreased idleness. Inmates are involved in purposeful activities,

giving them a sense of being a part of the larger community. Programs such as this

have the potential for successfully transitioning inmates from prison to the world of work.

Helping to create success for inmates may involve a change in how prison culture is

allowed to dictate interaction at every level of institutional life. Many prisons are moving

toward a therapeutic model, foregoing the punitive approach as something that has not

worked.

In the Philippines, the Bureau of Correction has undertaken rehabilitation

programs to help an inmate lead a responsible, law abiding and productive life upon

release. Efforts shall be made to ensure an optimum balance between the security of

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the prison and the effectiveness of treatment programs. Inmate and public safety, and

the requirements for effective custody, shall, however, take precedence over all other

activities at all times and shall not be compromised. Rehabilitation and treatment

programs focus on providing services that will encourage and enhance the inmate’s

self-respect, self-confidence, personal dignity and sense of responsibility. Corrective

and rehabilitation services include religious guidance; psychotherapy; socialization;

health and sanitation; vocational training; mental, physical and sports development; and

value formation and education. Occupational and vocational training programs are

based on the needs of the inmates, general labor market conditions, and institution

labor force needs. An important component is on-the-job training, which inmates receive

through institution job assignments and work in Federal Prison Industries. The Bureau

also facilitates post-secondary education in vocational and occupationally-oriented

areas. Recreation and wellness activities encourage healthy life styles and habits.

Institution libraries carry a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, magazines,

newspapers, and reference materials.

Significance of the Study

By nature and purpose of this study, the results or findings of the study will bear

significant contributions to the following:

Jail Personnel. The study will serve as an eye opener for them to know the

importance of livelihood program in the life of inmates, and to know that they can

provide possible solution to the identified problems encountered in the implementation

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of livelihood program. This will also help them to provide solution on the identified

problems encounter in implementing of livelihood program.

Inmates. The study will help them to realize that the livelihood programs of jail is

helpful in rehabilitating inmates, through the work programs of jail and they could be

able to develop skills and talents that they can apply when they are already back to the

community.

Other Researchers. This study provided baseline data needed for further study

and acquire more knowledge in conducting research, put in practice what they had

learned in their subjects and develop their communication skills.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will look into the extent of influence of livelihood program and

reformation of inmates of General Santos City Jail.

This study was only limited to the inmates of General Santos City Jail who will be

chosen through simple random sampling. The responses of the respondents were

treated with statistical analysis such as frequency, percentage and correlative

coefficient.

Definition of Terms

Rehabilitation Program – This term refers to an emending or an emendation,

rebuking or punishing. In this study, it refers to the program given by the bureau of

corrections to the inmates.

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 Livelihood Program – This term refers to the subsistence or employment

of prisoners while serving their offenses. In this study, it refers to the project extended

by the government to help uplift the financial status of the people in the community.

Prison Farm - is a large correctional facility where hard labor convicts are put to

economical use in a 'farm', usually for manual labour, largely in open air, such as in

agriculture, logging, quarrying, etc. Its historical equivalent on a very large scale was

called a penal colony.

Inmate – a person confined in jail or prison to serve a sentence after a conviction

by a competent court or authority. Also referred to as convict.

Length of Service – This refers to the duration of time or period of existence of

an inmate inside the Bureau of Corrections. In this study, it refers to the time served

inside the jail.

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 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Foreign Literature

In California, inmates are involved in a program known as “joint venture”. The

first joint venture opened in July 1991. Now sixteen companies employ 500 inmates

throughout the state prison system doing everything from raising pigs and ornamental

plans to manufacturing office furniture, stainless steel equipment, rubber products, and

electronic components. About 72,000 prisoners nationwide are employed in inmate

work programs, according to 1998 Corrections Industry Association Report. An increase

in positive inmates programming has proven to minimize institutional violence because

of decreased idleness. Inmates are involved in purposeful activities, giving them a

sense of being a part of the larger community (Dunhill, 2006).

Ludhiana, under a unique initiative of Central Institute of Post-Harvest

Engineering and Technology,(CIPHET) prisoners are being empowered to earn

respectful livelihood in food processing sector. Initiated in Ludhiana central jail, the

training program has gained popularity and soon the inmates of five more jails will be

imparted training by the CIPHET. Rehabilitation of prisoners after they complete their

sentence is always a big issue for both government and society. This could only be

ensured by providing them respectful opportunity to earn their livelihood. Aiming at this,

CIPHET has started a series of training programs in food processing from month of

January this year. So far five programs have been conducted. ‘This included processing

of groundnut for milk and curd, tomato puree manufacturing and bottling technology,

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processing technology of guava bars, RTS beverages, powder making technology of

ginger, garlic and onion, value added meat products (Raj, 2010).

Dr R.T Patil, Director, CIPHET said that lot of manpower is available in the jails of

Punjab and potential of it could be utilized for developing food processing industry. He

said that CIPHET would be providing complete training and support to prisoners who

would like to set up industry after they complete their sentence. A lack of sustainable

livelihood causes vulnerability to criminal behavior. In countries or regions where

income is unevenly distributed and social justice is inadequate, the crime rate is higher

and marked by more violence, for example in agglomerations and the suburban areas

of big cities often referred to as slums(Patil , 2010).

For some prisoners, especially those that have spent years or decades of their

lives locked up, getting out comes with a mixture of overwhelming joy and anxiety.

They often want to start over, but don’t know how to achieve that. They need

somewhere to live, to work. They need counseling, but have limited resources. Some

prisoners are released with only the clothes on their back, $10 to $200 and a bus ticket

to the state line. Life on the outside can be a huge challenge — so hard that many

prisoners fail at it and end up back behind bars before long. Basic tasks like not

knowing how to use a metro card instead of tokens to ride the subway, or making a

phone call on a smartphone instead of a pay phone can seem insurmountable.  

That’s why programs that help inmates re-enter society are critical. From state to

state, re-entry programs vary. Not all states have them. And different branches of the

criminal justice system have different ways of addressing re-entry, frequently leaving

former inmates with few lifelines to help the rehabilitation process. But programs like

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these are trying to make a difference, starting from when an inmate is first incarcerated

and following through to those initial hours when an ex-inmate is released and to the

months that follow as they work to get their lives back on track.

In Louisiana, the state’s Re-Entry Court program allows the state’s younger

inmates who qualify to learn a trade — from plumbing to welding to culinary arts. It also

provides them with hours of classes on anger management and communication. The

state has also launched regional re-entry programs offering similar services to inmates

in local prisons. Louisiana has the highest incarceration rate in the U.S. While officials

say they have seen a decline in the prison population in the last few years, it’s not clear

just how much the re-entry programs in particular have contributed to that lower rate.

Incarceration rates are affected by a myriad of laws, people, social issues and

programs. But officials are still hopeful that they’re making a difference. 

In California, San Quentin Prison — one of the largest prisons in the country — is

offering college-level education to inmates through the Prison University Project,

the largest in-prison college program in the California prison system. Indeed, a 2013

study from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service found that in-prison college

education programs did effectively lower recidivism rates. It also found that inmates who

completed a college-based education program while incarcerated stayed crime-free

longer than those who did not participate in the program.  Opponents say that such

higher education programs in prison are not a proper use of taxpayer dollars. But

advocates like Jacobs say the programs are “transformative” for inmates when they are

released.

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 Prisoners hoping to receive college education may get a boost from the federal

government soon. According to the Wall Street Journal, President Barack Obama plans

to restore federal funding in the form of Pell Grants for inmates to take college courses

in prison, part of his larger interest in reforming the country’s criminal justice system.

A National Research Council brief prepared from The Growth of Incarceration in

the United States, a 2014 report studying trends in mass incarceration in the U.S,

details the difficulties that prisoners face upon re-entry — lower earnings, denial of jobs

or work licenses, an inability to vote, and ineligibility for public housing, student loans,

food stamps and more. Once released, the ex-offender is in dire need of support and

encouragement.

Former inmates in Washington state have found that support at Pioneer Human

Services, which provides a full suite of programs to thousands of ex-offenders annually.

This includes treatment for substance use disorders, housing, job training, job interview

training, apprenticeships, employment and, where appropriate, help getting their driver’s

licenses and voting rights back.

Local Literature

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Manual(2007) one of its

objectives is to provide Livelihood Services-Development of work values, individual

worth and dignity, emotional cantharid and enhancement of individual creativity.

( Chapter 2, Rule 15,pp.134-135).

In a recent Association of Government Information Officers (AGIO) 7

Forum, BJMP-7 Assistant Regional Director for Operations Supt. Bartolome Sagadal

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said that “we hope to make our jails as one of the production centers for economy and

entrepreneurship.”Sagadal said that furniture making, basket making, fashion

accessories, and jewelries are most of the projects inmates are involved in. He added

that there are also private firms that partnered with them by providing materials to the

inmates and forming assembly production area in the jails.

Sagadal emphasized that the livelihood program for inmates intends to give them

hope, contrary to the belief that there is no future for individuals like them.Sagadal

stressed that with this initiative, the perspective of the inmates as to their worth and

usefulness is already changed. Aside from the livelihood program, BJMP 7 also offers

other services to inmates in the jails in Central Visayas to include: paralegal services to

sleeping cases; religious and guidance counseling; improvement of the communication

and relation to the community among others (Sagadal, 2014)

In Cebu, inmates at the Talisay City Maghaway Detention and Rehabilitation

Center are set to get livelihood program and trainings from the Technical and Skills

Development Authority for them to maximize their time and learn new skills while

serving their sentence. Jail Chief Inspector Felife A. Montejo said he already requested

TESDA to provide skills training and evaluation to the inmates and recommended

welding, carpentry, and housekeeping.

The rehabilitation division of Quezon City Jail has a wide range of livelihood

projects that tap into that talents and skills of inmates. The aim is for these talents and

skills to be developed further. From paper-maches to artificial flowers and from repairing

watches to running a beauty parlor, livelihood projects in Quezon City Jail evolve with

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the talents and skills of inmates. The output of products depends on the number of

inmates who participate in the program.

And one of the effects of livelihood program believed by Montejo that this

program can provide new trainings and skills to inmates that they could use to provide

income from their families. He stated also that, through the livelihood programs inmates

can develop skills to become more productive and it can also help them to ease their

boredom and avoid acquiring vices inside jail (Saludar, 2014).

According to Espinocilla, the members' skills have improved in such a short span

of time that they are now able to turn whatever size of scrap cloth they have into a

usable item. The inmates automatically get half of the income from the sale of the

finished product, while the remaining 50 percent is split between MIGCO and the BJMP

(30 percent goes to the cooperative's capital while 20 percent goes to the educational

and rehabilitative programs organized by the BJMP's Inmates' Welfare

Division).MIGCO's Solar Power Bulb Project, which it has been doing in partnership with

My Shelter Foundation, has been chosen out of 160 international entries as one of the

five finalists in the 2012 Ashden Awards.

The sprawling New Bilibid Prison to the south of the Philippine capital is known

for holding the country's most notorious and hard-core convicts. But perhaps what is

less known is that fashion has recently found itself a place inside the 551-hectare

compound here. Every Tuesday, around 40 inmates from the maximum-security section

would sit face-to-face with one of Manila's haute couture designer to learn how to bead

and hand-paint fancy evening gowns and formal attire. When their skills grew mature,

each participating inmate was paid anywhere from 100 to 500 pesos per gown,

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depending on the intricacy of the design and the time to finish it. The originality, the

quality and craftsmanship of the painting of these gowns have attracted so much

attention from the fashion world. The Fashion Creativity workshop is a part of the

livelihood programs aimed at preparing the inmates for a life once they finished serving

their sentence. There are various programs including education, sports, industry,

spiritual growth, agricultural, vocational and alternative learning tailored to meet the

demand of 22,000 inmates serving their terms in New Bilibid, the country's largest

prison facility. The inmates are given a second chance and their dignity is restored

through the harnessing of their talent and staying productive. Giving them a second

chance is better than locking them up. The fashion design initiative makes them proud

again, and be responsible. It is the feeling of restored dignity, self-esteem and pride in

one's work that gives inmates the greatest achievement of the Fashion Creativity

Workshop (Quinones, 2009).

Livelihood Program for inmates is set to become an earning opportunity as well

as a means to contribute to the inmates having a healthy mind occupied with creativity

and productivity. Besides developing handcrafting skills also taught life

skills – to exercise their power of choice and to become productive and responsible

members of society. The inmates are learning that committing a crime and ending up in

jail isn’t the end of it all, realizing that they have the right and responsibility to make and

have a great life for them (Lifeline, 2006).

 The Bureau offers a variety of inmate work programs, from agricultural to

industrial. The purpose of the inmate work program is to keep the inmates busy, and to

provide them money for their personal expenses and their families as well as help them

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acquire livelihood skills, in order that they may become productive citizens once they

are released and assimilated back into the mainstream of society.

      Different prison and penal farms provide institutional work programs for inmates. At

the Davao Penal Colony, inmates work on the banana plantations of Tagum

Development Company (TADECO) which has a joint venture agreement with the

Bureau. Similarly, the vast tracts of land at the Iwahig Penal Colony are developed and

tilled by inmates to produce various agricultural products, thereby generating income for

the Bureau. The Sablayan Prison and Penal farm also provides agriculture and

aquaculture programs for inmates.

      Along this end, the Bureau under the present Director has encouraged agricultural

and industrial production by providing farming implements, tractors, fertilizers and other

inputs in order to sustain this area of rehabilitation for inmates.

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 Chapter 3

METHODOLOGY

This chapter discusses the research design, locale of the study, respondents and

sampling used and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

This study is an evaluation on extent of influence of livelihood program and

reformation of inmates of General Santos City Jail.

The descriptive method of research was used in this study in order to

determine the respondent’s level of satisfaction on the rehabilitation programs of the

Bureau of Corrections.

The descriptive method is considered the most appropriate inasmuch as the

standard insight of the inmates are determined to reflect their reformation on the

rehabilitation programs inside the city jail.

Locale of the Study

As one of the five pillars of the Criminal Justice System, the BJMP was created

to address growing concern of jail management and penology problem. Primarily, its

clients are detainees accused before a court who are temporarily confined in such jails

while undergoing investigation, waiting final judgement and those who are serving

sentence promulgated by the court 3 years and below. As provided for under R.A. No.

6975, the Jail Bureau is mandated to take operational and administrative control over all

city, district and municipal jails. 

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 The study was conducted at General Santos City Jail, located at Lanton,

Barangay Apopong, General Santos City, where the inmates serve their punishment or

sentence. Inmates were classified into minimum, medium and maximum punishment.

The researcher focuses only on the inmates serving the minimum punishment for

security reasons.

Research Instrument

The researchers prepare the draft of the questionnaire and submitted to

the adviser and research professor for the revision and improvement. The questionnaire

was based also on the literature and study presented in chapter one. In the

process of reviewing the literature, the researchers stumbled upon instrument which fit

purposes of the study. In the problem changes in these ready: made instruments are

demanded and have to construct the instrument itself.

Questionnaire checklist. The questionnaire was the main tool used by this study

in data gathering. Questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of series of

items and other prompts for the purpose of gathering information from the

respondents. This tool used by the researcher because it

does not require much effort like verbal or telephone surveys and it has standardized

answer.

Interview. The interview technique used to complement the gathering of the data

for the study. Interview provides information which may be confidential

Respondents and Sampling Used

The researchers will use a probability sampling procedure in choosing the

respondents. Particularly, the simple random sampling using the Slovin’s formula.

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Random respondents will be chosen at General Santos City Jail including 15 jail guards,

20 female inmates and 25 male inmates.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher will observed the following procedure in data gathering:

A. Asking permission to conduct the study. The researcher will write a letter to

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Administrator asking permission to

conduct the study inside the jails’ jurisdiction.

B. Analysis and interpretation of data. The researcher will gather and analyzed

the data gathered using the appropriate statistical tools.

Statistical Treatment of Data

The researcher will use the frequency distribution (percentage distribution) and

the computation of the weighted average mean (WM). These statistical tools will be

used to come up with the summary of the results of the survey. Thus, these results will

be tabulated and interpreted according to the problems of the study being identified.

Formula for WM:

WM = Zwf

Where:

WM = Weighted Average Mean

W – Weight assigned to each response

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F – Frequency of responses to a specific item

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 REFERENCES

The Guardian: Teargas, beatings, and bleach: the most extreme Covid-19

lockdown controls around the world: Violence and humiliation used to police coronavirus

curfews around the globe, often affecting the poorest and more vulnerable. 2020a;

(Accessed 13 May, 2020). 

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 SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE

RESPONDENT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

NAME: _____________________________________________________ (Optional)

Directions: Kindly read and check the rating which corresponds to your personal
opinion.

GENDER:
Female

Male

AGE BRACKET:

18-25 years old 26-35 years old 36-50 years old over 50 years old

STATUS:

Single Married Widow/Widower Separated

HIGHEST EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT:

Elementary Vocational/Technical Courses

High School College

Read carefully the question before answering it to avoid erasures.

I. Write your answer on the space provided and make sure to write the number

only accordingly.

5- Excellent 4- Very Good 3- Good 2- Fair 1- Poor

A. Extent of Influence of Livelihood Program

Indicators

ITEMS 1 2 3 4 5
A. Skills
1. I am able to learn new skills that

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 incorporate with my ability
2. Through technical trainings for
example carpentry, building and
construction, tailoring I can make
myself to be self-reliant after jail.
3. Livelihood trainings help me to be
more flexible to nurture my skills
4. Livelihood program thus consider my
skills and abilities and how they may
fit a particular occupation that will
help me development my ability
5. Being creative and innovative; the
ability to see solutions
B. Attitude/behavior
1. I was able to mingle and share ideas
from other inmates
2. I am more sociable than before
3. Because of the programs inside the
prison I have more self-control
4. I am now capable of decision-making
towards work
5. I am more God fearing individual and
a family loving person

B. Reformation of Inmates

Indicators
1 2 3 4 5
ITEMS
1. Livelihood Program will help me to earn to
support my needs.
2. I can develop skills through livelihood
programs experience.
3. Livelihood program can give me hope in
getting possible employment after release.
4. Livelihood program will help me to ease
boredom.
5. Livelihood program will help me to avoid
vices inside the cell.
6. I am able to provide for our family’s needs
even we are imprison.

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