Davao del Sur State College (DSSC) is proud to announce its participation in the 3rd International Conference on Transformative Education for Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs), hosted by the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) from October 9 to 11, 2024.

This conference, organized in collaboration with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute (SETBI), gathered leading experts in education, criminal justice, and social reform.

Under the theme "Beyond Barriers: Reconnect and Rebuild," the conference focused on the pivotal role of educational programs within prison systems in supporting the successful reintegration of incarcerated individuals into society.

DSSC presented several significant research studies that highlight the institution's commitment to empowering PDLs, including:

• "Exploring the Training Needs among Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in Digos City District Jail Female Dormitory," by Carlo A. Magonalig, Queenie Lyn G. Almerez, and Edralyn Catubay-Lastra.

• "LIFE behind Bars Program: Enhancing Self-Worth of PDLs through Sining ni Ate sa Loob ng Rehas," by Almerez and Cherry Corpin.

• "LIFE behind Bars Program: Transforming Lives of Women Deprived of Liberty through Livelihood, Innovation, Arts and Literacy," by Queenie Lyn G. Almerez.

• “Education Behind Bars: The Learning Experiences and Support Needs of Persons Deprived of Liberty,” by Amelie E. Trinidad.

• “Beyond Bars: The Unyielding Dreams and Aspirations of Women in Digos City Jail,” by Harih G. Lopez.

• “e-DalawMoPlus: Web-based Scheduling System for Inmate Visitation with Video Conferencing,” by Ruvenjay M. Caputolan and Rhea May L. Perito.

• “The Past, Present, and Future: PDL Narratives as Bases for Extension Services,” by Siverlyn M. Camposano.

• “Life Outside Bars: The Lived Experiences of Stigma and Transformation among Former Drug Dependents in General Santos City,” by Sheruel G. Matalandang a DSSC faculty, and Mary Rose Becodo for Mindanao State University - General Santos City.

DSSC representatives engaged with international and local experts sharing best practices, with keynote speakers from esteemed institutions like the Emerson Prison Initiative and the U.S. Department of Education. The conference also spotlighted DSSC’s dedicated efforts to provide college education to incarcerated individuals, featuring testimonies from former students who have benefited from these transformative programs.