ARMED WITH a nursing degree, Sr. Insp. Herminigildo Rivera, could have taken the popular route of moving abroad, earning green bucks, and living a comfortable life. Instead, he chose the road less taken.

Rivera, currently warden at the Batac District Jail (BDC), belongs to MMSU BS Nursing batch 1994 which posted a one hundred percent passing rate in the board exam. For two years after his graduation, he worked as a volunteer nurse at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMMHMC).

In 1996, he learned that the BJMP needed personnel, preferably nurses, so he applied and was trained to become a police officer. Rivera related that nurses are prioritized for prison jobs because they possess \"TLC or tender loving care\" which is important in dealing with inmates.

While his pay as jail officer certainly does not compare with what he could receive from a job overseas, Rivera says nothing beats the feeling of being able to lend a hand in a person’s way to rehabilitation and reintegration to society. Occasionally, the warden also gets to practice his original profession when inmates fall to illness.

He said that since nurses are trained to deal with people, they are respectful of inmates. He further said, \"Kung ano ang ipapakita mo sa kanila, ganun din ang ipapakita nila sa yo.\" (They reciprocate whatever you show them.)

CHR staff Ernesto Dongael lauds Rivera’s administration because ever since the latter served as warden of Batac, many improvements have been made such as provision of additional electric fans to the inmates, better living conditions, and more opportunities for growth. The warden, who is good at networking and linkaging, was able to acquire a computer set and entertainment appliances from donors. Having worked at the MMMHMC, he also has access to medical and dental services for the inmates.

Rivera had also been assigned as jail officer in Pangasinan, La Union, and in Laoag City. At BDC, he supervises 68 inmates (five of whom are women) and 13 officers. Most of the inmates’ cases are murder, rape, and possession of illegal drugs.

BDC has five nurses, one mechanical engineer, one forester, and one environmental scientist who are all alumni of MMSU.

They are busy preparing to transfer to the new jail site in Magnuang which covers 3,500 sq. m. with five cells.

Dr. Violy Alonzo, member of the MMSU jail visiting team and former professor of Rivera, called the warden by his nickname ‘Hermie.’ Alonzo recalled that Hermie was a gentleman in college and was among the top students in his batch. (Ma. Angelica O. Salas)