Cebu approach creates buzz at prison officials' conclave

Manila: The prisoner rehab scheme adopted in Cebu province that received global attention after videos of "dancing inmates" appeared on the internet has piqued the interest of penitentiaries abroad.

According to Pedro Noval, director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for Central Visayas, South Korea, Chile, Ecuador and Cambodia have evinced interest in modelling their prison systems on the Cebu example.

Noval said the Cebu Provincial Government's management of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Centre (CPDRC) had earned praise for its innovative approach to prisoner rehabilitation and reform at a recent convention of prison officials that attracted delegates from around the world.

Noval was quoted by the state-run Philippine News Agency as saying that, out of the 12 countries that participated in the convention, Manila was among five delegates chosen to present a paper on best practices in the rehabilitation of inmates.

Keen interest

"It was only the Philippines that presented an innovation at work. Other countries such as Ecuador, Chile, and Cambodia have asked for copies of my video presentation and text," Noval was quoted as saying by the report.

Noval said the CPDRC's unique approach is rooted in instilling a "culture of discipline" among prisoners through dance and music.

CPDRC's tactful approach had been highlighted in a dance-exercise routine by some 1,500 prisoners. The synchronised exercise was viewed by five million viewers on the popular YouTube website in August alone.