CATBALOGAN, Samar – October 31 is Sunday, and it is celebrated nationwide as “Prison Awareness Sunday.”

This information about the celebration is contained in advertisement stickers pasted in door panels and walls of the ‘Bulwagan ng Katarungan” building here which houses that three salas of the Court of First Instance (CFI), Branch Nos. 27, 28 and 29.

The announcement came from the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippine (CBCP), Intramuros, Manila.

The announcement carries other proverbial maxims, like – “Hamon sa Pagkakalugmok: Pag-asa.”

Another says – “Challenging Despair. Creating hope.”

It also calls on society to – “Stop Execution and Abolish Death Penalty.”

It also calls on everyone to – “Lobby for and advocate a Comprehensive Juvenile Justice System,” and to “Work for Justice that Heals.”

There were many citizens here who expressed their favor for the Prison Awareness Sunday celebration.

But other than expressing their endorsement of the celebration, there were those who would like that a government agency should spearhead the celebration, undertake activities like the holding of a public forum where different speakers would talk on varied aspects of the celebration such as the different principles that it advocates.

Another suggested the holding of the radio or TV program in order to have a further audience reach.

Another citizen advocates that the religious and other groups should also advocate for a more expeditious resolution of because in court because – justice delayed is justice denied.

Another said that it is agreed that all of those who are in prison are convicted of crimes. Nevertheless, they are still human beings who need our understanding, sympathy and compassion. It is good that they are extended the prison awareness Sunday, a day when every one can think of them with sympathy.