BJMP inmates now into making coffins

March 10, 2017

After teaching inmates to do arts and crafts, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has an idea to help them fight boredom and make them earn a living: making coffins.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno said prisoners of the Manila City Jail are doing brisk business in selling coffins which they made while in the confines of the jail facility.

“We really have to be creative in thinking of ways on how we can rehabilitate these detainees while they are in the jail bureau’s custody. Coffin-making is one of the things that BJMP has introduced lately, and inmates are getting good money out of it,” said Sueno.

A brainchild of BJMP Director Chief Superintendent. Serafin Barreto, Jr. and Manila City Jail Warden Superintendent Gerard Bantag, the Affordable Coffers with Personalized Touch program was launched for in preparation for their release from the custody of the BJMP.

The price ranges from P4,600 to P6,000 depending on the design and materials that are used.

Some designs MCJ inmates have made are coffins painted with the camouflage of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). And there are also Frank Sinatra and Hello Kitty- inspired coffins.

Barreto said they encourage visitors and guests of inmates to act as marketing agents so they can earn. DMS