'Controlled' visits allowed at BuCor prisons during holiday season

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is allowing selected relatives of prisoners to visit them under certain conditions during the holiday season.

From December 25 to January 1, the BuCor will allow 15-minute "controlled" visits to persons deprived of liberty (PDL).

Physical contact will be prohibited, and visitors need to bring a medical health certificate stating they do not have any COVID-19 symptom, the bureau said Thursday.

Visitors also need to wear face masks, face shields, and bring their own alcohol or alcogel.

For married inmates, only their listed spouse or common-law partner will be allowed to visit. For single PDLs, only their parents or siblings aged between 18 and 60 can see them.

The BuCor said it will strictly implement a one-visitor policy.

It reminded visitors that the wearing of jackets, sleeveless tops, shorts, leggings, and six-pocket pants is prohibited.

The schedule of "Controlled Dalaw" is as follows, according to the bureau:

Maximum Security Compound (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• NBP North     –     December 25, 2020
• NBP West      –     December 26, 2020
• NBP East       –     December 27, 2020
• NBP South     –     December 28, 2020
• NBP North     –     December 29, 2020
• NBP West      –     December 30, 2020
• NBP East       –     December 31, 2020

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• NBP South     –     January 01, 2021

Medium Security Compound

• December 26, 2020 - January 01, 2021
• 8:00am – 5:00pm

Minimum Security Compound

• 8:00am – 5:00pm

Reception and Diagnostic Center

• 8:00am – 5:00pm

The "paabot" of food and medicine to inmates will also be allowed daily until December 31, the BuCor said. It will revert to just weekends in January.

The BuCor suspended visits earlier this year to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in its facilities. Hundreds of COVID-19 cases were reported in the New Bilibid Prison and the Correctional Institution for Women. -MDM, GMA News