BJMP needs P14.2B to address high congestion rate in jails —spox

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Monday said it needs at least P14.2 billion to resolve the high congestion rate in its jail facilities.

In a press conference, BJMP spokesperson Jail Chief Inspector Xavier Solda admitted that cell areas in their facilities are are not enough for the huge number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

“Kung tayo ay magpapatayo ng mga karagdagang pasilidad para sa BJMP, mangangailangan talaga tayo ng malaking pondo [If we will construct additional BJMP facilities, we will really need a huge budget]," he said.

Solda noted that the P14.2 billion estimated funding will cover the construction of new cell areas only.

As of Monday, Solda said the jail population nationwide is around 119,692 with a congestion rate of 397%. Of the 470 jails nationwide, around 350 are considered congested.

Among the most congested jails are San Mateo Municipal Jail with 2,648% congestion rate, Dasmarinas City Jail with 2,139%, and Cainta Municipal Jail with 2,072%.

The Commission on Audit (COA) recently flagged the BJMP over the congestion rate of Philippine jails, which, it said, hit 403% in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its 2020 annual report, state auditors 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%.

COA 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 PDLs.

However, it 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. —KBK, GMA News