The Educational Journey of Persons Deprived of Liberty in Alternative Learning System at Lucena City District Jail: Basis for a Localized Guidance Counseling Program

Education has an important role in rehabilitation, yet Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) often face barriers in accessing quality learning opportunities. In the Philippines, the Alternative Learning System (ALS) provides a flexible second-chance education program for marginalized groups, including those in detention. While ALS has been widely studied in community learning centers, little is known about how incarcerated learners experience it in local jails. This study explored the lived experiences of PDLs enrolled in ALS at Lucena City District Jail to understand how they handle challenges, sustain motivation, and find meaning in learning while behind bars. Using a phenomenological design, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 12 purposively selected PDLs. Thematic Analysis was followed to capture themes for each research question and across contextual (environment, curriculum, resources), subjective (emotions, aspirations, beliefs), and interactive (peer and teacher relationships) perspectives. Findings revealed that PDLs perceived ALS not merely as an academic program but as a transformative process that restored dignity, strengthened resilience, and rekindled hope for reintegration. Despite systemic challenges such as a lack of separate rooms for classes, longing for families, and challenging subjects like Math and English, PDLs drew strength from family aspirations, prayer, and peer/teacher support. Their narratives confirm that resilience was cultivated through persistence and relational bonds with peers, turning deprivation into instances for personal growth. The study concludes that ALS in jails should integrate a localized guidance counseling component to address the psychosocial needs of PDL learners. In that way, ALS could enhance rehabilitation, reduce reoffending or recidivism, and prepare incarcerated individuals for successful reintegration into society.