Leyte: College classes have started inside the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) for 60 persons deprived of liberty (PDL), giving them an opportunity to pursue higher education while serving their sentences.

According to Philippines News Agency, instructors from the local government-run Abuyog Community College (ACC) will conduct classes inside the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) facility for inmates selected to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. ACC president Clemelle Montallana stated that the program is a continuation of the prison's education initiatives following the establishment of its junior and senior high school programs.

"This is not part of our regular load, but we are doing this to help our PDLs. This is a four-year degree program, but we aim to complete this in three years since there are no semestral and Christmas breaks," Montallana told the Philippine News Agency.

Correction Officer 2 Noli Ann Billo, LRP acting deputy superintendent for reformation, said BuCor and its stakeholders will support the education program by providing learning spaces and materials. Billo mentioned that applicants were required to have at least five years remaining on their sentences to ensure continuity in the program, with priority given to PDL in maximum security.

The 60 PDL, who comprise the first batch of the program, attended an orientation, marking the start of the first semester. Of the 60 enrollees, 57 are graduates of the Department of Education's Alternative Learning System. Most are over 20 years old, while some senior citizens are also among the students.

Billo noted that the program is the first college education initiative implemented by a prison facility under the BuCor. A similar program is offered at the New Bilibid Prison through a private organization. The free college education program at the LRP is also supported by the local government unit of Abuyog and the Commission on Higher Education.