NBP jails still congested amid upcoming summit

Despite the consecutive release of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), jail cells at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) and other penal farms remain congested, a problem officials hope to solve through the National Jail Decongestion Summit.

According to data from the Bureau of Corrections, the BuCor’s prison and penal farms nationwide have a PDL population of 51,862 as of November, exceeding their capacity of 12,272.

The NBP, meanwhile, housed 29,811 PDLs as of October despite having a capacity of only 6,435 - a congestion rate of 358%.

“Sa buong Pilipinas ang kasya lang 12,000. So excess tayo ng 40,000. Talagang worst kung ico-compare mo sa ibang bansa. I’m sorry to tell that but what they are saying, we are recognizing the problem,” BuCor Director-General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said in a media briefing.

(We only have a capacity of 12,000 nationwide. So, we have an excess of 40,000. It’s the worst if you compare it to other countries. I’m sorry to admit that, but what we are saying is we recognize the problem.)

The briefing came after Justice Department spokesperson Mico Clavano and others toured the maximum-security compound of the NBP amid the upcoming summit.

Lines of stores littered the inside of the compound.

Meanwhile, numerous PDLs were assigned to one room, the spaces divided into kubols or booths.

Clavano said they sought to shed light on the issue to raise awareness and encourage cooperation from private individuals.

He said they also wanted to provide solutions to the problem of congestion.

The DOJ spokesperson said they were trying to decrease the number of incoming PDLs, increase the number of releases, and expand jail facilities.

When asked for assurance that BuCor would not become lenient due to efforts to decongest jails, Catapang said that pardons or paroles were not given easily.

“Pagaaralan din yung records, no. Makapal ‘yung records niyan, hindi naman basta-basta release ng release. Of course, ‘yung may mga kaso na sex o heinous crimes medyo ano mabigat. Lalong lalo na kapag sexual offender,” he said.

(We also look into the records. Those are thick records, and they will not be released just like that. Of course, those with sex charges or heinous crimes are harder. Especially for sex offenders.)

Clavano, for his part, said that the government prioritized the elderly, those sick, and those with good conduct.

“Lalo na kung sama-sama na ‘yan lahat. Matanda na nga, may sakit pa, tapos good conduct pa sila sa loob. ‘Yun talaga ang ipa-prioritize natin. Hindi naman talaga basta-basta kaming mag papalaya eh,” Clavano said.

(Especially if those three are present. If they are elderly and sick, and they have good conduct. We will prioritize those. We won’t just release PDLs.)

“And at the same time, this is more compassionate justice as DG mentioned a while ago. It’s part of that arm of justice na compassionate with grace,” he added.

(At the same time, this is more compassionate justice. As DG mentioned a while ago. It’s part of that arm of justice that is compassionate with grace.)

The National Jail Decongestion Summit will be held from December 6 to 7. — DVM, GMA Integrated News