Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute (SETBI), University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) hold the 2nd International Conference on Inmates’ Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry on August 14-15, 2019 at the Social Hall of the USeP Obrero campus in Davao City.Centered on the theme “ Rethinking Rehabilitation: Community in Unity, Obstacles and Realities”, the conference gathered representatives from the five pillars of the Criminal Justice System, non-government organizations (NGOs), community leaders, academic leaders, criminal justice practitioners, and students.Researchers from different parts of the country and abroad as well personalities from the Bureau of corrections, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology , Dangerous Drug board, Philippines Drug Enforcement agency , City Anti –drug Abuse Council , selected USep faculty , students and other guests present their papers on the importance of education in the future development of the Criminal Justice System.
The tow days event, which highlights the role of transformative education in reducing recidivism, serve as an avenue for the researchers to share their experiences and findings of studies on prison-based education and other related topics such as drug addiction and rehabilitation.
In August 2016, USeP. SETBI, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) launched the College Education Behind Bars (CEBB) program—considered the first of its kind in the country. This allows Davao City Jail inmates to earn a degree from USeP while serving their prison sentence. In October 2017, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with SETBI for the possible nationwide expansion of the CEBB program. Dr. Aland Mizell, SETBI President and Dr. Danilo B. Pacoy, USep VP for Research, Development, and Extension delivered the welcome remarks. The University President Dr. Lourdes C. Generalao, also gave her message to the guests and participants.
Among the keynote Speakers who graced the event are Dr. Emma Hughes, Criminology Department Professor of California State University, United States of America who is also a professor, writer, and filmmaker is among the main speakers of the conference. Other speakers include the Secretary Catalino S. Cuy, Chairman of Dangerous Drugs Board who was represented by Ms Doris Dorigo; and Atty Behn Joseph O . Tesiorna, Assistant Regional Director of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA -faculty of CEBB, and a local media
The testimonies of successful former inmates turned students served as the highlight of the morning session. The keynote message and plenary presentation as well as sharing of experiences on education behind bars filled the afternoon sessions. It can be recalled that in May 2018, the SETBI and USeP organized the same international conference. The two institutions are partnered in the implementation of the College Education Behind Bars in Davao City Jail
