OFFICIALS of the Cagayan de Oro City Jail in Barangay Lumbia Thursday, December 13, reported that the number of inmates inside the facility's male dormitory is declining.
At present, some 1,800 persons deprived of liberty (PDL) are detained in the jail facility from the 2,800 inmates recorded in January, this year.
In a press statement, city jail officials said among the factors of the drop of inmates was the Plea Bargaining Agreement privilege availed by inmates facing drug charges.
City jail officials reported that 79 percent of cases faced by inmates in the city jail-male dormitory is drug-related.
Another contributing factor on the decrease of the number of inmates is the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) implemented by jail Warden Superintendent Erwin Kenny Ronquillo.
“Pinaagi niini, makibhangan ang panahon sa sentensya sa mga binilanggo kon sila nagpakita sa ilang maayong gawi kon pamatasan,” the statement said.
However, despite the decrease, the congestion rate of the city jail-male dormitory is still 50.45 percent.
Based on the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the city jail should only accommodate 291 inmates based on the facility's floor area of 3,611 square meters.
“Hinuon kini nga suliran gilauman nga sa hinay-hinay masolusyonan labi na kon mahuman na ang mga buildings nga gipatukod sa Local Government sa Cagayan de Oro City nga nagkantidad og P19.2 million og sa BJMP nga nagkantidad og P40 million,” the statement said.