Xavier Solda

Deputy Director, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines

The Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory (ZCJMD) in the Philippines presents a compelling case study of correctional reform aligned with the Nelson Mandela Rules, offering valuable insights for prisons worldwide. 
This culturally-diverse facility, operating in a resource-constrained environment and at the epicenter of terrorism-related cases in the southern Philippines, has implemented innovative, cost-effective strategies that respect prisoners' dignity, promote rehabilitation, and strengthen community reintegration.
The Justice Bilis Zamboanga Project, launched in 2023, tackles systemic inefficiencies through digitalization and enhanced stakeholder communication. This initiative reduced the jail population by 15% and decreased disease-related deaths by 24%, directly supporting Rules 11, 13, and 15 of the Nelson Mandela Rules. The pioneering Digital Transparency Board provides real-time case information to 2,430 inmates, reinforcing the right to information (Rule 54) and supporting mental health (Rule 61).
ZCJMD's comprehensive approach includes establishing the BJMP's first Islamic school and a Physiotherapy Services Clinic, ensuring access to essential healthcare (Rules 24-35) and religious instruction (Rule 65). The Connecting Families Project and e-Dalaw facilities have increased family contacts by 30%, aligning with Rule 58 on maintaining family ties.
By prioritizing transparency, rehabilitation, and community engagement, ZCJMD has achieved significant improvements in prisoner well-being and operational efficiency. This scalable model offers evidence-based strategies adaptable to diverse settings, providing a roadmap for correctional facilities worldwide to implement the Nelson Mandela Rules and create more humane incarceration systems, even in challenging environments.

Marie Louise E. Engracial

Deputy Chief, Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism Center Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Philippines

Ms. Marie Louise E. Engracial holds the position of Intelligence Officer 5 and currently the Deputy Chief for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism and Counterterrorism Center of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in the Philippines where she leads the development and implementation of peacebuilding, P/CVE and counterterrorism programs to transform the drivers of radicalization and vulnerabilities of affected sectors, like jails and prisons. She represents the BJMP in various national and international consultations and serves as alternate representative to the Philippine National Action Plan on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PDL with terrorism related cases and Violent Extremist Offenders Cluster). Prior to this position, she served as Human Resource Management Officer (HRMO) of the agency and Researcher/Statistician. During her stint as HRMO, she led the implementation of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) in the agency which aimed to improve human resource systems, competencies and practices into a level of excellence at par with global standards.

Martin Perfecto

National Program Officer, UNODC, Philippines