🧍‍♂️ Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm: Palawan’s Open-Air Prison with a Purpose

"A prison without walls, where freedom begins with reform" 

When I first heard about Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm back in high school, I thought it was the harshest jail in the Philippines. But when I finally visited, I was stunned. It’s unlike any prison I’ve imagined—no towering fences, no barbed wire—just open fields, quiet workshops, and prisoners calmly going about their day.

🌾 "It felt more like a village than a prison. A farm of second chances."

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🏛️ History of Iwahig Prison

📜 Puerto Princesa has been a place of exile since the Spanish regime.

🇺🇸 But it was during the American colonial period that Iwahig Prison was formally established—to accommodate inmates who couldn’t fit in Bilibid Prison in Manila.

Today, Iwahig stands as one of the most progressive penal institutions in Asia, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment.

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🚶‍♂️ How It Works

There are two main prisoner classifications here:

🔐 Maximum Security: Inmates with long-term sentences stay within a secured compound.
🆔 Minimum Security: Inmates with short sentences can freely roam the farm wearing ID cards with numbers for identification.

🌱 They participate in vocational programs such as:

• 👨‍🌾 Farming
• 🐟 Fishing
• 🌲 Forestry
• 🛠️ Woodworking and handicraft making

🧶 “I saw beautiful crafts, keychains, and even furniture—all made by inmates who chose redemption through creativity.”

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🛍️ Souvenirs with a Story

Along the roadside is a small souvenir shop called “Shawn 1225”, where you can buy handmade products crafted by inmates:

  

🎁 Handicrafts, wallets, bags, wood art, and more
💸 Affordable and supports inmate livelihood
📷 Some items even come with the name or number of the person who made them

💬 “I bought a handcrafted key holder—I still carry it as a reminder that even in confinement, beauty can be created.”

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🧭 Visitor Experience

🕊️ There’s no entrance fee, and visitors are welcome. From other travelers’ stories (and my own), you might even be guided by a low-risk inmate during the tour.

It can feel uneasy at first, knowing your guide is an inmate—but trust me, you’ll likely come out with newfound respect for the system and the men inside it.

📸 Iwahig's low buildings, rice fields, and simple huts paint a surprisingly peaceful picture.

👨‍👩‍👧 “Some prisoners even have their families living nearby—it’s a place of transition, not just detention.”

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📍 How to Get There

Address: Brgy. Iwahig, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
🛺 Transport: Ride a multicab going to Iwahig (₱50.00)
🕗 Entrance Fee: None
👕 Tip: Wear light, respectful clothing and bring cash for souvenirs

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✅ Travel Tips

✔️ Come in the morning or late afternoon for better weather
✔️ Be polite and respectful to inmates and staff
✔️ Support the souvenir shop—it goes directly to inmate welfare
✔️ Don’t take photos without permission
✔️ Keep an open mind—this isn’t your average prison tour

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💚 Why You Should Visit

Iwahig isn’t just a prison—it’s a social experiment in rehabilitation. A powerful stop for those who want to understand how second chances can look and feel.

You’ll walk away with more than just a souvenir. You’ll carry a story—one of hope, humanity, and healing.

🧭 “It’s not just a place to visit. It’s a place to reflect.”

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📣 Heading to Puerto Princesa? Add Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm to your itinerary. 🎒
 💬 Have you visited a place like this before? What were your thoughts?
📲 Share this blog with someone who loves offbeat, meaningful travel experiences.

🌾 Because the best destinations are the ones that change your perspective.