Senator wants PHL 'Alcatraz'

Amid the recent controversy on the alleged special treatment of some Filipino prisoners, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri on Tuesday suggested that the Aquino administration build a prison facility similar to the former US detention facility Alcatraz. In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Zubiri said President Benigno Aquino III should build a new prison facility outside of Metro Manila. "I would really suggest let's put it (the new detention facility) in an island ala-Alcatraz (like Alcatraz)," he said. Alcatraz, also known as "The Rock," is a nine-hectare island located in San Francisco Bay, California in the United States. It served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. It is now a tourist destination. Zubiri aired his suggestion after it was revealed that former Batangas Gov. Antonio Leviste apparently managed to go in and out of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City without the proper pass. Zubiri explained that if the prisoners are detained on an island, it would be more difficult for them to get out on their own. "Hindi basta-basta makalaya, hindi basta-basta makaalis, hindi basta-basta masundo ng kanilang driver sa mga bagong facility (With these new facilities, they won't be able to leave or escape. Their drivers also won't be able to fetch them)," he said. He said the Alcatraz-type prison can be placed on one of the government-owned islands while the funding for the structure can be sourced from the sale of the 551-hectare NBP. "Masyadong mataas na ang presyo ng lupa diyan (The worth of that land is pretty high)," he said, noting that legislation is not needed to implement his suggestion. Zubiri said that the government stands to earn billions from the sale of the facility in Muntinlupa City and that it would only need around P300 million to build another prison on an island. 'Pay-to-stay program' Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, meanwhile, said she will ask the Justice Department to send her a study paper on the feasibility of a "pay-to-stay" program for convicts sentenced for nonviolent crimes. Santiago explained that the pay-to-stay program, which is observed in the United States, allows wealthy prisoners to be housed separately from other inmates if they are willing to pay hotel rates. "We need to change existing laws, to separate maximum security from minimum security prisoners. Minimum security prisoners should be allowed to apply for a ‘pay-to-stay’ program, if they are willing to pay hotel rates," she said. She noted, however, that the proposed law would only apply to those guilty of nonviolent crimes like fraud, forgery, and falsification, including gambling, betting, theft, and bouncing checks. — RSJ, GMA News