PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — In a quiet yet deeply moving observance, persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Puerto Princesa City Jail marked the Feast of Poong Jesus Nazareno on Friday, January 9, proving that faith can endure even behind prison walls. Far from the massive crowds and long processions seen on the streets of Manila, the celebration inside the jail was marked by silence, reflection, and sincerity.

Holding lit candles, the PDLs gathered before a small image of the Poong Nazareno, offering prayers that spoke of hope, repentance, and the desire for inner strength. For many of them, the act was not just a religious ritual but a personal moment of reckoning—a pause to reflect on their past, their present confinement, and the possibility of a transformed future.

According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the observance forms part of ongoing programs that emphasize spiritual guidance and overall well-being among PDLs. These initiatives aim to support moral recovery and rehabilitation, reinforcing the belief that reform does not begin solely through punishment, but through guidance, reflection, and renewed purpose.

The scene raises a broader conversation about the role of faith and spirituality in the justice system. While incarceration serves to hold individuals accountable, moments like this suggest that spiritual support can be a powerful tool for change. In a society that often defines people by their worst mistakes, such acts of devotion challenge us to consider whether redemption and personal growth should be central to rehabilitation efforts. As candles flickered inside the jail, one question quietly emerged beyond the prison walls: if faith can survive in confinement, are we doing enough to allow hope and transformation to follow once freedom is restored? (Larawan: JO3 Joefrie Anglo, IO-BJMP MIMAROPA / Facebook)