History

When formed in 2003, Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. made a commitment to advocate for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons detained. Setting programs focused on improving and preservation of the quality of life for those persons temporarily incarcerated.

Through the help of MCKS Charitable Foundation, Inc. and of very generous benefactors, HLAF is able to pool resources to provide immediate relief to the worsening conditions within the jails.  HLAF donates medicines and crutches to different jails in order to help the inmates in their Health Problems.  HLAF also donates Exhaust Fans to different jails to alleviate the heat within the jails and tarpaulins for the use of jails in alleviating the conditions of the facilities.

HLAF also conducts medical-legal mission in jails to identify inmates with grave illneses which the foundation will help to facilitate their release for medical purposes.

hlaf_pics » IWP » Exhaust Fan (21)

The Detainee's Notebook is a 16-page notebook written in simple Filipino that is given to all the inmates. It serves as their personal “case” diary where necessary information regarding their personal and case profiles is recorded.

The notebook is updated every after court hearing in order to show important developments in the inmates’ cases.The project’s objectives are

1. To come up with a reference material that shall guide the inmates in the dispositions of their cases and;
2. To come up with a “one stop shop” material that shall help interested parties in tracking the developments in inmates’ cases

These objectives are being sought to attain the following goals:

1. speedy disposition of the inmate’s case;
2. empowerment of the inmates so that they actively participate in the development of their cases and;
3. integration of the activities of the different pillars of the Criminal Justice System.

This program is being implemented by the FOUNDATION along with the BJMP, Public Attorney’s Office, Parole and Probation Administration, the Commissionon Human Rights and the Supreme Court.

This program was completed through the help of USAID and The Asia Foundationl.