INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Monday lauded the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for facilitating the release of 74,590 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as part of its continuing initiatives to further decongest jails throughout the country.
Abalos credits BJMP for introducing various programs such as providing legal and paralegal services to reduce overcrowding in jail facilities nationwide.
“Ang overcrowding noong January ay 281%, ngayon lumalabas nasa 238% na so nababawasan natin ito ng husto at magtatrabaho pa tayo tungkol dito,” he said.
This, as Abalos pushed for introduction of comprehensive programs that would convince inmates to change their ways and choose to become more productive members of society to facilitate long-term solutions to jail decongestion.
He pointed out that instead of constructing more jail facilities that seek to penalize the offenders, the BJMP should take steps towards full reformation of PDLs to give them second chance in life.
“Ang solusyon ay hindi gumawa ng bagong kulungan, ang tamang solusyon ay maiwasan ang krimen at huwag bumalik sa kulungan,” he said.
He continued: “Ang tema rito ay koreksyon, makorek kung ano man ang pagkakamali, wala naman taong hindi nagkakamali, at para huwag nang bumalik uli.”
From January to October this year, a total of 7,647 PDLs were released on bail; 10,592 are serving sentence with time allowance, while 18,290 are serving without time allowances.
Also, 6,249 were acquitted; and 7,591 were transferred to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), youth detention facilities, National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), and drug reformation centers.
On the other hand, 51 PDLs were released on parole; 6,831 on probation; 4,677 on permanent dismissal, while 6,161 on provisional dismissal; 4,840 were released on recognizance; 60 are on community service; and 1,601 PDLs were released through other modes.
In a related development, Abalos also on Monday led the turn-over of some P2-million worth of hygiene products to the BJMP at the Manila City Jail Male Dormitory.
The hygiene kits which were donated by Reckitt Benckiser Group will be distributed to different jail facilities to help maintain cleanliness and ensure good hygiene among inmates.
“Sa inyong lahat, itong araw na ito ay simbolo ng puso, ng pagkakaisa. Andito ang Reckitt Benckiser Group, walang hiningi, nagbigay pa ng 2 milyong worth na hygiene kits at marami pang ibibigay. Napakalaking bagay nito sa pag-iwas natin sa sakit,” Abalos told inmates.
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