BY JENNA LUMBANG
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – In order to help inmates to gain direction and meaning for their life while in prison, the Pampanga Provincial Jail (PPJ) conducts regular non-denominational worship facilitated by different religious groups.
Edwin Mangiliman, provincial warden said there are different groups who offer religious services and provides religious activities for them such as fellowship and bible studies.
He said PPJ allows non-denominational worship to give chances to the inmates to practice or join a religion and for them to developed faith in God.
One of the areas in the PPJ was constructed to be a prayer room opens to all of them who want to practice their faith.
Further, Mangiliman said prisoners who become involve with religion develop positive outlook in life making them better person during their incarceration.
“Inmates feel better about themselves when they are involved in any religious activities. They find good ways on how to show repentance. They pray for their sin,” the warden said.
Another observation of Mangiliman is that there are less chaos in jail as compare before they got involve in religious fellowship.
He said practicing religion gives them peace of mind, some level of personal contentment and self-control.
“Religion helps change the behavior of the detaines. They learned to follow the principles and discipline taught to them by different religious volunteers. They developed self control that avoided confrontations and misunderstanding with fellow inmates,” Mangiliman explained.
Among the religious groups that visit the jail for religious fellowship services are the Iglesiya ni Kristo, Catholic leaders, and Born Again Christians.
