THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao Region blamed the lack of modern equipment and sufficient number of personnel as factors why contrabands sneaked in by visitors were able to pass through its inspection.
Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia, BJMP-Davao Region spokesperson and chief community relations service officer, told SunStar Davao Thursday, January 31, that although stricter security measures are already in place to prevent illegal items from getting inside the jail, there are still limitations on their end.
“Unang-una sa lahat, hindi rin naman natin mabantayan, sapagkat wala tayong high-end na mga facilities katulad ng x-ray machines. At the same time, kulang kami ng manpower sa BJMP. Kung may mga nakakapuslit man, mangilan-ngilan lang yan pero sabi ko nga, hindi kami perpekto pero we are trying our best na gawin ang aming trabaho,” Lobenia said.
On Saturday, during their Oplan Greyhound operation inside the cells, several contrabands were seized including cigarettes, cellular phones, and improvised bladed weapon.
Lobenia said BJMP already has a plan to modernize its jail facilities nationwide and procure state-of-the-art equipment to further boost its security. He is pinning his hope that they will be given a budget to improve their facilities as well.
“It’s always the dream and aspiration ng BJMP to have state-of-the-art facilities. Kung magkakaroon tayo ng x-ray machine, thermal na ganyan at the same time, makikita natin ang foreign objects na ipapasok ng mga dumadalaw,” he added.
They also plan to establish the “no contact policy” for visitors which will be first implemented in Davao City Female Jail.
A city ordinance called “Anti-prohibited items in prison and detention centers ordinance” has been approved recently under the committee on public safety chaired by Davao City Councilor Mabel Acosta which seeks to penalize those who will sneak in, using and carrying of any form of prohibited items inside the jail and detention centers in the city to prevent untoward incidents such as riots and safeguard the welfare of persons deprived of liberty.
Private individuals who are caught violating this ordinance will be fined P5, 000 and or will be banned entry in the facility for six months for the first offense. For the second offense, the individual will be fined P5, 000 and will be banned entry in the facility for nine months. For the third offense, the offender will be fined P5, 000 and will be banned entry in the facility for 12 months.
Same penalties apply for personnel of jail and detention centers who are caught violating the ordinance.