Iloilo City—The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Western Visayas is urgently seeking additional jail facilities and guards to address the alarming 280 percent congestion rate in district jails across the region, as revealed by Jail Chief Superintendent Simeon Dalojo.
Despite the reduction in congestion from last year’s 340 percent, the situation remains critical. The BJMP Western Visayas currently manages 40 jail facilities housing 9,969 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), with 70-80 percent of them facing drug-related charges.
Chief Superintendent Dalojo admitted that the staffing level is critically low, with only 1,769 personnel managing 41 facilities. “We need a thousand more recruits to reach the ideal staff-to-inmate ratio for managing all our facilities,” Dalojo stated.
To accommodate the growing number of PDLs, the BJMP has ongoing repair and rehabilitation projects. Notably, a new BJMP facility in Leganes, Iloilo, will replace the current Iloilo City District Jail in Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City.
Additionally, a new jail facility is set to be constructed in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental.
The BJMP’s approach shifted from punishment to rehabilitation, emphasizing humane safekeeping and the development of PDLs through various programs and training for reintegration into the community.
BJMP Western Visayas has introduced livelihood skills training programs such as “Ink, Stitch and Thrive: Transforming Lives with T-shirt Printing and Apparel Crafting,” Paper Charcoal Making, and Livelihood Products for Sale.
The “Education Behind Bars” program has benefitted 3,192 PDLs, allowing them to continue their education from elementary to senior high school levels, while 58 PDLs are currently in college from January to June 2024.
Furthermore, the BJMP has aftercare programs in collaboration with various government agencies to ensure continued reform even after PDLs reintegrate into the community.
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