Engaging the Lived Experience in Criminal Justice Reform

The Philippine criminal justice system is most often examined through the lens of its institutions—law enforcement, courts, jails, and prisons. Yet, one of its most important sources of insight remains largely unheard: the lived experiences of those who have passed through it. Persons once deprived of liberty carry with them a deep, unfiltered understanding of arrest, detention, incarceration, release, and reintegration—an understanding that no report or statistic alone can fully capture.

This May 11, PRESO, Inc. together with 6 other organizations, shall hold the 1st National Conference of Persons Restored of Liberty (PRLs) seeks to change this narrative.

This pioneering gathering places formerly incarcerated individuals at the center of national dialogue. It recognizes that their stories are not merely personal accounts, but powerful forms of evidence—revealing systemic gaps, unintended consequences of policies, and opportunities for meaningful reform. From the realities of overcrowded detention facilities and prolonged pretrial detention, to the hidden barriers in release processes and the enduring challenges of reintegration, these lived experiences illuminate the human impact of the justice system in ways that demand attention and action.

Recent studies and field-based observations have underscored critical issues across the corrections continuum:

The emergence of informal systems and survival mechanisms within congested facilities;

Procedural inefficiencies and documentary barriers that delay release and burden families;

Gaps in structured reintegration support that leave individuals vulnerable upon return to society;

The continuing challenge of access to justice, including bail, legal representation, and timely case resolution.

While reforms are being introduced—such as evidence-based approaches in probation and parole—these efforts must be grounded in the realities of those they aim to serve.

This conference therefore serves a vital purpose: to bridge lived experience and policy reform.

Participants will engage with narratives from PRLs, each reflecting a stage of the justice journey—from arrest and pretrial detention, to incarceration, release, and life after prison. These testimonies will not only surface systemic bottlenecks but also offer practical, experience-based solutions. By bringing together policymakers, justice sector practitioners, civil society, academia, and international partners, the conference fosters a shared space for reflection, dialogue, and collaboration.

More importantly, the conference redefines how society views those who were once incarcerated. It advances the idea that individuals are not permanently defined by their past offenses, but are capable of restoration, contribution, and leadership. In doing so, it promotes reintegration not as an afterthought, but as a central pillar of a just and humane criminal justice system.

The significance of this conference extends beyond the event itself. It aims to:

Elevate PRLs as legitimate stakeholders in justice reform;

Inform policies with grounded, human-centered perspectives;

Strengthen partnerships across sectors to support reintegration; and

Inspire a broader cultural shift toward dignity, inclusion, and second chances.

Ultimately, the 1st National Conference of Persons Restored of Liberty is more than a gathering—it is a movement. It transforms individual stories into collective insight, and collective insight into actionable reform. By listening to those who have lived through the system, we take a critical step toward building a justice system that is not only effective, but truly humane.