COA: Jail congestion at 403% in 2020

State auditors have flagged the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) over the congestion rate of Philippine jails, which hit 403% in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its 2020 annual report, the Commission on Audit (COA) said the country’s total jail population was at 115,336 as of December 31 last year, which exceeded the total ideal capacity of 34,893.

State auditors said the jail congestion rate was highest in Calabarzon at 619%, followed by Central Luzon at 609% and Metro Manila at 595%.

“Congestion in jails resulted in health and sanitation problems as well as increased gang affiliation of inmates,” COA said.

“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, which are scarce in highly congested facilities,” it added.

State auditors also acknowledged that the jail congestion rate in 2020 decreased from 438% in 2019 and recognized the efforts of the BJMP to professionalize jail services and provide the basic needs of persons deprived of liberty.

However, COA stressed that the 2020 congestion rate was still “way beyond” standards set by the United Nations and may have precluded the BJMP from improving the living conditions of inmates and enhancing their safekeeping and development.

In response, the BJMP told COA that the high jail congestion rate does not mean that all its facilities are operating in “sub-normal conditions,” since there are jails that meet the minimum occupancy rate and provide a healthy and sanitary environment.

BJMP NCR said it was working to improve videoconference hearings for inmates, frequently evaluating ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at easing jail congestion, and endorsing the construction of the New Marikina City and New Muntinlupa City Jails.

BJMP Calabarzon said the newly constructed jails -- GMA Municipal Jail, Nasugbu Municipal Jail, and Carmona Municipal Jail -- have been occupied to help decongest jail facilities in the region. —KBK, GMA News