COA: PHL jails overpopulated by 111,046 inmates

The country's total jail population had exceeded its ideal capacity by 439 percent, or an over occupancy of 111,046, in 2018 due to the increase in drug cases and slow action in courts, according to the Commission on Audit (COA).

In its annual audit report on the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the COA said the ideal capacity of Philippine jails is only around 25,268 inmates, but the population has ballooned to 136,314 as of December 31, 2018.

State auditors said this violates the BJMP Manual on Habitat, Water, Sanitation, and Kitchen in Jails and the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

The UN rules state that jails should maintain "climatic conditions" with proper sleeping accommodation and ventilation, while the BJMP manual allows only 10 inmates per cell for every 4.7 square meters of floor area.

The COA warned the condition of jails pose a risk on the health of the inmates, who may also resort to joining gangs for their safety.

"To sustain survival, inmates hold on to gangs or 'pangkat' where they find protection, network of social support and most important, access to material benefits. These situations are prevalent in highly congested facilities," the COA said.

Region 9 had the most crowded jails last year with a congestion rate of 645 percent, or an overcapacity of 4,943, from its ideal population of 766.

Region 7 came second followed by Region 4-A with an overpopulation of 17,086 and 18,203, respectively.

The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, on the other hand, exceeded its ideal jail capacity of 103 by only 40 inmates.

The COA attributed these rates to the increased number of drug-related cases, slow or no action on pending cases in court, non-release on bail of detainees due to poverty, or scarce land where jail buildings can be built.

Nonetheless, the COA lauded the BJMP for placing measures on inmate development. This includes the Recognizance Act of 2012 and the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) where detainees can enjoy livelihood training programs, religious activities, sports and other programs.

The audit agency urged the BJMP to continue addressing the congestion problem in all jail facilities and prioritize the purchase of lots and construction of new buildings.

The COA said the BJMP should ensure the timely completion of all these projects and enhance the GCTA program by releasing inmates with good morals ahead of the completion of their sentence.

In response to the audit, BJMP management said it has been coordinating with the Supreme Court in exploring remedies to the jail congestion such as the early release of inmates.

The BJMP said it has also appealed to the SC to allow the Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunindad (KKDK) program to serve as an in-house intervention program for detainees facing illegal drug charges.

"Should this program be approved by the Supreme Court as substitute 'compliant rehabilitation program'... it will be easier for [persons deprived of liberty] to comply with the requirements and for the court to issue orders since there is already an intervention being undertaken by the BJMP," the COA said, quoting the BJMP.

The office of BJMP officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Allan Sullano Iral received the audit report on May 29. —KBK, GMA News