The Dancing Inmates

For Filipinos, music and dancing is said to be a way of life, even to those behind bars. The Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) is a maximum security prison in Cebu, Philippines. The center is run by Warden Byron F. Garcia, and its inmates are either facing trial or are serving sentences for crimes ranging from shoplifting, to murder and rape. He initiated the idea of exercising as an enjoyable way of keeping the prisoners mentally and physically fit.

The inmates monthly performance is also a way of a non-violent approach to rehabilitation and eventual reintegration. Garcia also wanted the music workouts to be a way in which to break down gang factions amongst prison inmates. He claimed that his prison showed that negative inmates could be turned into positive individuals, through the concept of a "revolutionized penology".

In 2007, Garcia posted several videos of his inmates' performances on YouTube, a video sharing website where users can upload, view and share video clips. He uploaded them in hopes of inspiring other prisons to learn from the experience. The clips became some of the most talked about in cyberspace.

I really like this rehabilitation concept much as i like their monthly dance performance. Training the inmates how to make bags and other handicrafts and teaching them how to dance as part of their rehabilitation should also be implemented around the country.

I really admired the effort of Warden Garcia, kudos to you Sir. Their dance routine is also my way of exercising inside my computer room.