CHR urges gov’t to improve jail management instead of implementing ‘blanket punishment’

Commission on Human Rights (CHR) spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia on Wednesday said the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) must improve its jail management system instead of just cancelling the privileges of inmates to address the recurring problem of illegal activities in the penal institution.

"Rather than merely applying a blanket punishment, we equally urge the government to take a look at improving jail management—from their processes to personnel—to ensure that no unlawful act happen[s] within the prison systems," De Guia said in a statement.

"It may also be good to revisit the implementation of RA 10575 intended to strengthen BuCor so that it can better respond to scenarios such as the one they currently face," she added.

The CHR acknowledged that the rule of law includes "enforcing appropriate sentences and punishments for those convicted" and that "limited liberty is to be expected" in penal colonies.

The Commission, however, reminded the government to ensure that the treatment of prisoners abides with the standards set by guiding principles.

It cited the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoner, known as the Mandela Rules, which forms part of the BuCor's mandate under the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013.

Punishments that may compromise the prisoners' physical and mental health are prohibited by the said standards.

"It was also determined that supervised visitations and contact with the outside world, by correspondence and regular visits, as well as exercise and sports, are part of the minimum standards," De Guia said.

Further, she said that prisons should uphold human dignity while holding the inmates accountable for their mistakes.

On Tuesday, BuCor chief Director-General Nicanor Faeldon canceled the privileges of around 45,000 inmates in seven penal colonies nationwide due to the incessant entry of various types of contraband.