Creativity and resourcefulness were prominent in giant lanterns recently produced by inmates from 14 detention centers in Negros Occidental supervised by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

With indigenous materials available to them inside detention centers and others provided by their wardens and jail guards, the inmates pooled their ideas to create giant lanterns as their “Christmas Project” this year.

Superintendent Samson Abaygar, BJMP provincial administrator, said he gave the go-signal for the inmates to make the giant lanterns because of its impact on their rehabilitation.

The sharing of materials and ideas among the inmates is an effective dynamic that will have a great impact on their relationship inside the jail, Abaygar said.

It was providential, he said, when a representative from Robinsons Place in Bacolod City informed him about the mall's giant lantern-making contest.

Abaygar said the inmates were excited when they were informed about the criteria – to showcase the best of your town and city.

Although they were given only 10 days to complete their lanterns, the inmates went about with their tasks with the dedication and diligence of skilled craftsmen, he said.

The BJMP Himamaylan produced a unique lantern which gave emphasis to the talaba shells (oysters) that abound in the city. The lantern from La Carlota City has dried sugarcane leaves in its design depicting the thriving sugar production in the city.

Abaygar said the inmates could have produced even more beautiful lanterns if they were given ample time to prepare for the contest. The lanterns on display at the mall are just a glimpse of the ingenuity of the inmates, he said.

More than a “Christmas Project”, Abaygar said the giant lanterns from the 14 BJMP detention centers is a message of love and a call for acceptance from the detainees. Expressed in every cut of the colored paper they used to wrap their lanterns is their plea for public forgiveness, he added.*NAB

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