QUEZON CITY, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) who oversees the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) says that the congestion rate in jails run by the BJMP is now at 457%. Meaning, a jail that is supposed to house 10 inmates has 46 people crammed inside it.
“Our problem now is our budget for the construction of jails is not being raised,” DILG Undersecretary Jesus Hinlo said.
The department will ask the Budget Department and Congress for additional funds so they could build bigger jail facilities.
However, the department also wants a revision in the rules on where to build the jails.
“We need to coordinate with the COA because we can only build jails on land owned by the BJMP,” explained Hinlo.
They also want to resolve the shortage in the number of jailguards.
Ideally, the jailguard to inmate ratio is 1 is to 7 but it is now at 1 is to 47.
During transport of inmates to courts or hospitals, 1 jailguard must guard a single inmate, however, the present situation is 1 jailguard is looking over 17 inmates.
“That is why some are able to escape because we have a problem with the jailguards,” he said.
The DILG also wants to raise the meal allowance for each inmate which is now at 50 pesos per day.
The agency is also looking into having additional vehicles for BJMP jail facilities. — Victor Cosare | UNTV News & Rescue
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