In an effort to strengthen the spiritual and character development of correctional inmates, the Second Chance Foundation (SCF), in collaboration with Badan Pengelola Masjid Istiqlal (BPMI), organized the Pesantren Kehidupan program at the Tangerang’s Pemuda Correctional Facility, Class IIA, from November 4th until November 6th, 2025. The program was attended by 100 inmates, who enthusiastically participated in a series of learning sessions over the three-day event.

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Nurturing Awareness, Faith, and New Hope

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The Pesantren Kehidupan program was designed as a comprehensive platform for spiritual and moral guidance for inmates. Through a variety of sessions — including religious lectures, practical worship lessons, and a hands-on workshop on Islamic funeral rites — participants were encouraged to deepen their understanding of Islamic values, reflect on repentance, and foster spiritual awareness as the foundation for personal transformation.

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The first day began with an official opening ceremony attended by representatives from SCF, BPMI, and the Tangerang Youth Correctional Facility. The event opened with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by welcoming remarks from each representative and a symbolic handover of social assistance to the correctional institution.

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As the program progressed, participants attended thematic learning sessions under the topic “Seeking Knowledge: A Call to Obedience and a Path to Salvation”, along with lessons on Faith, Islam, Ihsan, and The Attributes of Allah and His Messenger. The sessions were conducted interactively through lectures, discussions, and quizzes to encourage active engagement and participation.

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Learning Life’s Values Through Practice and Experience

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The second day was dedicated to taqarrub (spiritual closeness) to Allah, followed by in-depth lessons on mahḍhah and ghairu mahḍhah worship, emphasizing the importance of performing acts of worship correctly and consistently. Beyond theory, participants also took part in a series of competitions — Musabaqah Tilawatil Qur’an (MTQ), Hifzhul Qur’an, and Qira’atul Kutub — which provided a platform to showcase their talents and build confidence in reciting and understanding the Qur’an.

 

On the final day, the focus shifted to Islamic funeral management training. Participants learned the proper procedures for washing, shrouding, performing funeral prayers, and burying the deceased according to Islamic teachings. This session became one of the most memorable moments of the entire program, offering participants a deeply spiritual reflection on the meaning of life and death.

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Collaboration to Build Hope

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This initiative stands as a testament to the strong collaboration between social organizations and religious institutions in supporting inmate rehabilitation and transformation. Second Chance Foundation remains committed to delivering programs that not only focus on developing practical and vocational skills but also emphasize character building and spirituality — preparing inmates to reintegrate into society with renewed values and positive spirit.

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Through the synergy between SCF, BPMI, and the Tangerang Youth Correctional Facility, the program was successfully carried out with great enthusiasm and meaning. It is hoped that the participants will apply the knowledge they have gained and become positive agents of change in their communities upon release.