THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Negros Island Region (BJMP-NIR) is urging the City Government of Kabankalan to help resolve the problem in lot ownership that hinders the implementation of the P6-million jail expansion project in the southern Negros city.
Jail Inspector Mar Louie Salcedo, logistics division and community relations service office chief of BJMP-NIR, told Sun.Star Bacolod that the development of the Kabankalan City District Jail (KCDJ) is currently one of their top priorities.
BJMP-NIR records showed that of the 30 jail facilities in the region, KCDJ is the most congested.
With a population of 349, the cell area of 80 square meters has an ideal capacity for 129 inmates only.
In terms of area-prisoner ratio, it has a congestion percentage of almost 1,951 percent, it added.
The KCDJ is located in Barangay 2, which is adjacent to the Kabankalan City Police Station.
Salcedo said that in 2015, they submitted a proposal to the BJMP Central Office for the construction of additional cells for both male and female inmates.
He, however, pointed out that the project cannot be approved and implemented since the 780-square meter where the present jail facility is located is not owned by BJMP, but by the City Government.
“This project is supposed to address the congestion woes in the district jail,” Salcedo said, adding that “as long as there is no deed of donation from the city, the project cannot push through.”
Of the P6 million proposed expansion project, P4 million is intended for the construction of new cells for male inmates and the other P2 million, for female detainees.
Due to the congestion, Salcedo said that they are having difficulties implementing the programs for the inmates, particularly those under the Inmates Welfare and Development (IWD).
Aside from problems in regulating the inmates, Salcedo said the limited space and poor ventilation also trigger the spread of diseases among the detainees.
“Our jail personnel have also expressed worries that the facility can be forcibly destroyed by the inmates,” he added.
Mayor Isidro Zayco on Sunday said they are already initiating some measures to help address the congestion problems in the jail.
Zayco added that they have already discussed with the officials of Kabankalan City Police Station and management of KCDJ the possible transfer of the police station to give way for the jail development.
“We are still looking for lot donors for the police station,” Zayco said, adding that it is easier to transfer the police station than the jail due the latter’s security concerns.
Residents expressed fear that the jail might be transferred to their particular area, he added.
The mayor further said the City Government has been providing assistance to the BJMP like the conduct of seminars as well as subsidies such as rice, and supply of water and electricity.
The City Government has also allotted funds for the construction of additional structure for the female dormitory, which is targeted next year, Zayco also said.
“Although they cannot force the City Government since the jail is under the jurisdiction of the National Government, we are still willing to help its development by providing them a bigger area,” the mayor said.
Zayco added that he is amenable if nearby local government units will offer an area for the transfer of the jail, as he cited that KCDJ does not only cater to inmates from Kabankalan but also from other cities and municipalities in the Sixth District.