Prison Computer Literacy Project, Philippines
Project Summary
The Las Piñas City Jail in Manila, Philippines, conducts an “Alternative Learning System” (ALS) program for inmates, providing them with the opportunity to complete their high school education while serving a sentence.
Part of this education program included an “E-Learning” module where inmates are taught basic computer skills. However, the program did not have a single computer. Due to the lack of equipment, only a few candidates were successful in passing the exam.
In early 2012, Voice of a Child worked with a local non-profit, AMURT Philippines, and provided funds to purchase a complete computer system along with a desk and chair.
Subsequent visits to the jail showed that the computer was put to great use by the inmates. The first batch of High School graduates was the first group to be taught the use of the computer. Today, they assist the jail staff in typing jobs. Many of those who have finished serving their sentences can succeed in life because of the new craft that they have learned while incarcerated.
News article describing the effectiveness of ALS:
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/starweek-magazine/2019/08/25/1946264/education-behind-bars
Contributions and Impact
In May 2012 Voice of a Child donated funds for AMURT Philippines to purchase a complete computer system with a desk and chair. The intent was to improve the computer knowledge of the inmates and to help improve the number of inmate students awarded the equivalent of a high school diploma.
In July 2012 AMURT Philippines reported that the computer system donated by VOC has been used to instruct student inmates on e-mail communication and word processing applications. They have been taught how to create email addresses and to correspond using this medium allowing them to keep in touch with the outside world. Typing tutorial applications have also been installed and used to improve students’ typing skills. Some students have become sufficiently proficient to now assist the jail staff in secretarial work. As the program develops, additional computers would enhance the development of advanced computer skills.
