Learn about our history, purpose, and values
Our Story
Our History
Tracing the Roots
The Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS) was established in 1994 when the Society of Jesus recognized the prison service that was started by Fr. Victor Labao at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City as an official apostolate of its Philippine Province.
Its involvement inside the National Penitentiary was initially pastoral and sacramental in nature. Active engagement in the ministry, however, led Jesuit priests and volunteers to also work in whatever program and service that could best help in the holistic development of the inmates.
Serving as an NGO
In 1995, hence, PJPS was enlisted as a non-stock non-profit organization at the Securities and Exchange Commission. As the institution slowly evolved as it responded to the needs of the prison community, the organization was re-incorporated in 2007 as there was an increasing need to be more organized, structured, and formal. This helped PJPS to be more effective in the development work inside the national penitentiary. It was also a move to step up efforts to raise funds that will ensure the financial sustainability of the organization and the continuation of its programs.
In 2012, the organization was accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as Social Welfare (community-based) Agency. Later in 2018, DSWD issued a Certificate of Accreditation to PJPS for having satisfactorily complied with the First Level standards in the implementation of community-based programs and services for children, youth, inmates, families and communities.
Our Purpose
Empowering Inmates
As a non-government organization, the main purpose of PJPS is to provide service to the corrections community, particularly the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa City. The Jesuit priests work hand in hand with volunteers, benefactors, and Bureau employees towards alleviating the condition of inmates, advocating reforms, and empowering the inmates in preparation for future reintegration to society.
With the help of generous benefactors and partner institutions, PJPS is currently able to provide health care and help with the paralegal needs of the inmates, implement various spiritual and pastoral formation programs to the prison community, provide scholarship to the children of inmates, and conduct other services that attempt to help in the total rehabilitation of inmates and their families.
Vision
Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation, Inc. (PJPS) envisions a society where persons and families affected by incarceration rebuild their lives, rekindle hope, and restore their dignity through healing, reconciliation, and meaningful reintegration into the community.
Mission
The PJPS accompanies Persons Deprived of Liberty, Persons Restored to Liberty, their families, and the whole prison community through psycho-spiritual formation, compassionate mentoring, and community support rooted in the Jesuit mission.
Our Values
Core Values
To share the transforming love and mercy of God and reflect the Ignatian spirit of the ministry,
PJPS adopts five core values:
1. Cura Personalis
We honor the dignity of every person by caring for their spiritual, emotional, social, and human needs.
2. Faith that Does Justice
Rooted in the Gospel, we serve with a faith that seeks justice, mercy, and the restoration of dignity for those marginalized by incarceration.
3. Walking with the Excluded
We walk with persons and families affected by incarceration as companions on a journey of healing, growth, and transformation.
4. Hope and Transformation
We believe that every person is capable of change and renewal. Through formation and empowerment, we help individuals rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.
5. Synodality
We carry out our mission in partnership with volunteers, benefactors, institutions, and communities, working together to promote reintegration and social transformation.