As a restorative justice initiative, the Social Entrepreneurship Technology and Business Institute (SETBI) promotes rehabilitation and reconciliation over punishment. Instead of warehousing individuals, prisons should cultivate environments that foster transformation, allow for amends, and ease reentry into society. 
In 2015, Dr. Mizell was dismayed by the overcrowded conditions, the long confinement, and the wasted lives behind bars. Some had been struck in there, averaging 6 to 10 years, despite being presumed innocent, yet none used their time productively. Feeling compelled to respond to their plight, That’s when the founder of this first College Education Behind Bars inside Davao city
Jail, in 2016 Dr. Mizell conceived of first College Education Behind Bars in Davao city , this is a first of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. Dr Mizell & Attorney Cariaga, decided to build an actual building with their own money inside the Davao city jail and partner with the university of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) and the BJMP to offer college degrees to redeem the PDLs time and to prepare for reentry as well careers. Beside education the enrollees, they decided to incorporated recovery and rehabilitation pre-requisites partnered with Ataneo de Davao to ensure PDL were equipped to make life choices. This is a first of its kind in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
SETBI’s approach centers on holistic transformation: improving prison conditions and providing equal access to quality education to prepare persons deprived of liberty (PDL) for successful reintegration and to enhance community safety.The 4th Annual International Conference on Transformative Education for Successful Re-entry was held October 9–11 at DNSC, bringing together educators, correctional staff, judges, social workers, NGOs, and students under the theme “Restorative Higher Education: Strengthening Movements, Building Futures.” SETBI founder Dr. Aland Mizell gave the statement of purpose, and keynote speaker Dr. Emma Hughes from California State University, Fresno, spoke on the importance of prison education and bridging higher education with the carceral system. SETBI graduate Rodolfo Tubio shared how education helped him transform his life after 22 years in prison.
The conference celebrated ongoing replication of the CEBB model, now present in 11 BJMP regions. Presenters from institutions like MSU shared strategies for welcoming formerly incarcerated students and expanding access. Despite a 7.4 magnitude earthquake on the second day, the event continued with campus tours and discussions on forming new CEBB partnerships.
SETBI’s annual conference is more than an academic gathering—it is a space for collaboration, dialogue, and reform. Past keynote speakers include Dr. Baz Dreisinger (Prison-to-College Pipeline), Dr. Mneesha Gellman (Emerson Prison Initiative), and Attorney Sean Addie (US Department of Education), with Dr. Prospero J. De Vera III, 11th the Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education CHED, contributing his expertise at the 3rd conference.SETBI also launched the Southeast Asian Alliance for Higher Education Inside Prisons and a dedicated journal to advance its mission. These efforts aim to reshape carceral education and demonstrate how partnerships and purpose-driven work can transform lives and systems.
