BJMP allows face-to-face visits at jails after two years

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will now allow contact visitations for in jail inmates two years after these were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras”, the BJMP said only immediate family members would be allowed for the face-to-face visits.

Fully-vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to take COVID-19 tests.

A visitor who is unvaccinated will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test within 72 hours of the visit or a negative antigen test within 24 hours of the visitation.

Visits should also be scheduled to prevent the influx of people, the BJMP said.

“Mahalaga 'yung karapatan ng mga PDL natin para sa visitation kasi isa ito sa mga programa na ini-encourage ng BJMP if not of the pandemic. Kasi dito, magkakaroon sila ng oportunidad o pagkakataon na makasama ang kanilang mga kaanak,” said BJMP Spokesperson Supt. Xavier Solda.

(Visitation is an important right of PDLs that the BJMP encourages, if not during the pandemic. It allows them to be with their families.)

Solda said the BJMP was also looking at reinstating conjugal visits.

“Pinapayagan 'yung mga kaanak na mayakap nila, mahawakan nila 'yung kamay ng kanilang kapamilya pero limitado lang po doon kasi marami ring nagtatanong tungkol sa conjugal visitation. But we're moving toward that direction,” Solda said.

(We allow relatives to hug and hold the PDLs’ hands but it is limited to there. Many people are asking about conjugal visitation but we're moving in that direction.)

Further, the police official said electronic visitations or e-dalaw will continue.

"In fact, in-expand pa natin at pina-prioritize natin 'yung mga medyo may edad na. 'Yung mga vulnerable na sa sakit para maiwasan na baka mahawa o mahapo sa byahe eh doon na lamang po sa electronic visitations na lamang sila ma-accommodate,” he added.

(In fact, we’re expanding it and we’re prioritizing those of age. We call on those who are vulnerable to diseases to just opt for electronic visitations.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News