Reflections on 4th International Conference on Transformative Higher Education Inside Prisons and Jails in the Philippines

An MCI leader, Lynnyth Aguilar, who just returned from the US Embassy's Summer Work and Study Program working in a law office in Texas and learning the US culture, recently attended the Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute's (SETBI)'s academic conference. Her reflections on the presentations were published in the Mindanao Times. She opens, "I had the privilege of joining the SETBI ‘s 4th International Conference on Persons Deprived of Liberty’s (PDL) Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry in Panabo, Davao del Norte State College, held from Oct. 9 to 11, 2025."

The article quotes from Mizell's opening remarks, “When you punish somebody, there must be something about rehabilitation, second chances, and that is the true purpose of the SETBI’s college Education Behind Bars.”

Also, Professor Emma Hughes, a Criminal Justice Professor from California State University, Fresno, "shared her experience with similar programs in the United States, such as her initiative 'Project Rebound,' which supports formerly incarcerated students in reintegrating into academic life." Besides other academic and government leaders offering their insights, two CEBB graduates who have returned to their communities spoke on the program's transformative effect on their lives and their restoration to their families and the workplace.

Having done her research, Lynnyth Valera Aguilar comments that in the wake of the highly successful College Education Behind Bars (CEBB), several colleges have replicated the program, aiming to offer second chances to the incarcerated through college degrees and rehabilitation. However, many other entities are jumping on the bandwagon ostensibly to seize ownership and thus to gain credit for the stellar initiative. Lynnyth skillfully refutes their claim, explaining the disservice they do to the program and to the founder, Dr. Aland Mizell. She explains, "The failure to give proper credit to an individual who has dedicated years of effort, time, and compassion to establishing such a transformative program is both disheartening and unjust."

Her article adds,"However, on the second day, one unforgettable and unexpected event happened during the conference—a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Davao Oriental, which was strongly felt in Davao del Norte while the sessions were ongoing."