Proposed Jail Integration Act OK’d by Senate on 2nd reading
THE PHILIPPINE Senate on Monday approved on second reading the bill that seeks to transfer the supervision of provincial jails from local governments to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), with the aim of easing prison congestion.
Under Senate Bill No. 2352, provincial governments would have three years to turn over control of provincial jails to the BJMP, including their compliance with the BJMP’s cleanliness and sanitation requirements.
The BJMP, which is under the supervision of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, handles city, district and municipal jails.
During the three-year transition period, provincial governments would still pay for the food, water and water expenses of their jails and inmates.
The management, control and supervision of provincial and sub-provincial jails would be transferred to the BJMP if the bill is passed.
“It is the policy of the state to promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of persons deprived of liberty,” stated a portion of the bill sponsored by Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa.
Many of the country’s jails fail to meet the United Nations’ minimum standards with Human Rights Watch pointing out inadequate food, poor nutrition and unsanitary conditions.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla earlier said the government was working on accelerating legal proceedings so that a number of inmates still in jail due to pending criminal cases can be released. — John Victor D. Ordoñez