Inmates Have Their Own Story

On a Sunday morning, I chauffeured my wife, together with some of her classmates in Masters of Arts in Psychology in Xavier University, t...

On a Sunday morning, I chauffeured my wife, together with some of her classmates in Masters of Arts in Psychology in Xavier University, to one of the Jail and Penology institutions here in Cagayan de Oro City. 

When we arrived in the area, my wife together with her classmates went inside the penology. I was told to wait to outside the gate as they will be counseling or processing some female inmates. 

As I have nothing to do inside, I go back to my past time - to read a book. Minutes later, i noticed few people arrived in front of the gate. I ask one of the jail guards why they were there. I was told that they were having a "dalaw". Sunday is a designated day for inmates' friends, relatives of loveones to visit them. They patiently lined up outside the gate. Almost all of them brought something including food.

As the number of people who waited outside the gate increased, some questions lingered in my mind. Like
1. Who are they visiting? Is it a son, daughter, mother, father, relative or friend?
2. Who are visiting them? Is it a son, daughter, mother, father, relative or friend?
3. Are all inmates have their "dalaw" also? 
4. What are their charges? What are the reasons behind?
5. Are their cases still pending? Are they convicted?
6. If their cases are still pending, are they represented by fair and competent counsel?
7. How long they've been in this penology? Is it longer than the sentence they will be serving?
8. If convicted, is justice really served to them?
9. Are these inmates in the proper care and management of the said penology?
10. Are their rights still respected while in the penology?

Sunday have been known to be a family day. These people (dalaw) chose to spend it in the penology even for a short span of time. Their "dalaw" may not be always there for them but they bring courage and hope. 

One thing for sure, these inmates still has dignity and rights worthy of respect. They have thier own story. We may not be like them but sometimes we are also inmates in our own convictions and decisions in life.

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