Former prisoners in the Philippines are rebuilding their lives as professional baristas through Ex-Preso, a mobile coffee business that provides employment, skills training, and opportunities to earn a living after incarceration.
Launched in July 2025 by the Philippine Jesuit Prison Service Foundation (PJPS), Ex-Preso has grown from a donated coffee cart into a livelihood initiative with four full-time baristas and 10 trainees as of August 2026.
The name combines espresso with the Filipino term for a former prisoner, reflecting the project’s mission to help formerly incarcerated Filipinos return to the workforce.
Participants receive hands-on training in coffee preparation, customer service, inventory management, and business operations. The initiative is connected to BaLAYA ni Lolo Kiko, an 18-month rehabilitation and reintegration program that prepares participants for independent living and employment.
Among its beneficiaries is Jhon Glen Wile, who entered prison at 17 and spent nearly two decades incarcerated. He earned a marketing management degree while imprisoned but struggled to secure employment following his release in May 2025.
“Gusto ko ng marangal at maayos na trabaho. Ayoko na bumalik sa loob dahil alam ko na ’yung dinaranas dun sa loob,” Wile told Delish Philippines.
Through Ex-Preso, Wile found an opportunity to apply his skills and gain practical work experience.
The coffee cart now serves customers at corporate gatherings, weddings, and community events. Its operations have reached Baguio, Tagaytay, and Iloilo, with a menu offering more than 20 hot and iced beverages.
On October 4, Ex-Preso participated in the Likhalaya Arts and Crafts Fair in San Juan City, where barista Mark Domingo shared his experience rebuilding his life through the program.
For former prisoners facing barriers to employment, Ex-Preso provides a direct path toward financial independence and community reintegration. Its continued operations demonstrate how vocational training and livelihood opportunities can help Filipinos build stable futures after serving their sentences.
