Art For Inmates’ Freedom

Persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Tagaytay City Jail are making use of their time in detention to create works of art and give qualified and deserving fellow inmates a new lease on life.

Fifty-one of them have actually been freed since the program was started by Tagaytay City Jail warden Capt. Bryan Villaester two years ago. In earlier media interviews, Villaester disclosed that the idea came from one of the inmates who started painting to be productive.

In an interview with The Philippine STAR, he said the 51 PDLs benefited from the sponsor-a-release program as proceeds from artworks covered the bail for underprivileged but deserving inmates.

Under the program, the PDLs create artworks such as paintings, papier-mache, wood frames and other crafts, which are exhibited and offered to civilians.

Their paintings have different themes and are priced from P1,000 to P10,000.

The program covers not only the painters, but all those who are not capable of posting bail.

“(The beneficiaries) are those who cannot afford the P10,000 to P30,000 fine — those who really have nothing,” Villaester told The STAR.

For those convicted of drug-related crimes, Villaester said they should first undergo a drug rehabilitation program and pass a drug test.

“They will be released if they are no longer dependent on drugs because they will be dangerous if they use (drugs) outside jail,” Villaester stressed.

The beneficiaries should also manifest good conduct while incarcerated and participate in programs of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Aside from money for bail, inmates can also be given medicines through the funds raised from selling the paintings.

Villaester himself sponsored the release of two PDLs, after he saved P45,000 through a coin bank.

‘I’m excited to take this home’

A netizen, Regis Andanar (@RegisAndanar) posted a photo of the painting he bought from the city jail on Twitter on Nov. 30. It was retweeted 1,015 times and liked 5,072 times.

For all those interested, Andanar asked them to get in touch with Villaester. “He’ll be able to know what other paintings the BJMP (Bureau of Management and Penology) inmates have as well,” Andanar said.

“Ang gandaaaaaa,” commented a certain Jheppoy with a heart emoji.

On Sept. 24, Dreamland Arts & Crafts Cafe + BBB – Tagaytay posted on its Facebook page the livelihood paintings of the city jail.

“When you buy these livelihood paintings made by Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), you help them to cover bail/fine for their eventual freedom!” the café said.

“Let’s give these PDLs the second chance to live a normal life and a chance to reunite with their families! Be a blessing to someone’s life!” it added.

On. Dec. 2, the café also encouraged people to consider “something to hang on your wall or a gift” for the holidays and “be a blessing” to someone’s life.

Untapped art potential

Time behind bars apparently gives the inmates the opportunity to discover their talent, Villaester noted.

The warden said some inmates realize they can paint only while in jail.

As of now, there are 15 painters remaining in the city jail; the others have been released.

“We are showing the world that even behind bars, these PDLs can be productive and through art, we can communicate outside,” Villaester said.

Aside from the bail payments for the inmates, the program is also being used to improve the jail’s facility.

If not for the grills on the windows of the jail, the facility looks like an indie art space.

Paintings and other art pieces are scattered throughout the room.

“(Through art) they are saying, ‘hey, we are humans too with dignity, who have feelings and capable of changing for the better,’ ” Villaester said.

Villaester provided all the photos for this article.