Baseline Study on the Philippine Penal Conditions: Nurturing a Human Rights Based Approach to Penal Management ·······································································································································································································································• the minimum, there should be areas for educational, spiritual, livelihood and sports/recreation activities. These areas must be independent and separate from inmate housing. In terms of personnel , correctional staff must receive proper training and education o n the factors related to criminal conduct and the approaches to overcome offending. Rehabilitation o fficers must be knowledgeable in matching inmates' needs and program offerings and must be adept in administering the programs. In terms of resources, the rehabilitation units of the correctional facilities must be provided with sufficient operational funds to keep the programs running. . '· ..·· ..................................................··.. Inmate programming based on Mandela Rules Rehabilitation/resocialization programs [Rules 4, 88, 89, 91-94, 96-108) Prisons should offer education, vocational training, work, and any other assistance needed for the purpose of rehabilitation/ resocialization and reintegration. This reflects the primary purpose of imprisonment to protect society and reduce recidivism. To be successful such programs should be individualized. Prisons should recognize the key role staff play in the rehabilitation of prisoners . Program Characteristics Work [Rules 40, 96-103) Servitude, slavery or requiring prisoners to work for the personal or private benefit of any prison staff is prohibited. Any work should be useful for a prisoner's job prospects after release or be remunerated, and take place in safe and legal conditions. Prisoners must not be employed in a disciplinary capacity. Inmate programs must be theoretically guided. That is, new programs that are introduced must be assessed on how it can actually improve inmate behaviors. The specific activities in the programs must be delineated on how it will address inmate criminogenic behaviors. Currently, there are many programs introduced in penal facilities without sound theoretical guidance. "Dancing inmates," "Inmates got talent" and other contests, while popular, a re not necessarily rehabilitative. Additionally, programs must be evaluated based on efficiency. Some programs negatively affect the inmates. For example, "basketball tournaments" among inmates had been a source of gambling in most jails and prisons. It is not a coincidence that jail and prison riots happe n after a "sporting event." Meaningful activities [Rules 4, 23, 64-66, 105) Providing meaningful activities supports prison management as well as the mental health and rehabilitation of prisoners. Opportunities for sport should be provided and at least one hour per day of outdoor exercise permitted. A prison library must be available and prisoners should be allowed to practice their religion . Education [Rule 104) As education plays an important role in preventing recidivism, learning opportunities should be provided to prisoners. Classes offered should be of the same level as the community education system and available to all prisoners. For illiterate or young prisoners, education is compulsory. Source: Short Guide on the Nelson Mandela Rules, Penal Management Reform, 2016 This is not to say that "Dancing inmates" and "sports events" should be totally disallowed. These activities may be allowed as long as there are clear and w ell stated reasons for w hy these programs are introduced. These disparate programs must : be integrated to form a unified set of programs. The correctional facility must have a complete list ·•···· ••········•••• ·······••••·······•·••••·········• of programs that is offered, the type of inmates who will undergo the programs, the duration of the program, and the amount of GCTA that can be awarded upon successful completion of the program. Programs must also have a clear curriculum and syllabus. Non-Governmental Organizations. Religio us Groups and other service providers that wish to collaborate in the inmate programming must be assisted in developing the curriculum or syllabus of the programs they are offe ring. . .. Inmate programs must be modular, with a beginning and ending dates, so that the amount of GCTA credits can be properly computed. Programs can run for one month, three months, six months. and 31