358% congestion rate in Davao Region jails

(File photo)
(File photo)

THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao recorded a 358 percent congestion rate in the 11 operational jail facilities in Davao Region after the population grew to 4,892, which exceeded the ideal jail capacity of only 1,069 as of August 2019.

Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia, BJMP-Davao spokesperson and community relations service officer chief, said Wednesday, September 18, that Digos City District Jail registered the highest number of congestion rate in the region with 531 percent. The cell area measured 526 square meters, which is ideal for only 112 inmates but now has a population of 706.

The 276-square meter Panabo City District Jail has 492 percent congestion rate as it is supposed to house only 59 inmates but it currently has 348 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).

Tagum City Jail Female Dorm recorded 405 congestion rate with only seven ideal capacity but now has 34 female PDLs.

The Davao City Jail also has 394 percent congestion rate with an ideal capacity of 460 but it currently has 2,273 jail population while the Davao City Jail-Female Dorm recorded a 330-percent congestion rate with 346 with only 81 ideal capacity.

Meanwhile, the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) jail has a 328-percent congestion rate with an ideal capacity of 19 PDLs but the facility is being occupied by 82 PDLs.

On the other hand, Tagum City Jail has 314 percent congestion rate with 291 PDLs instead of its 70 capacity while Montevista City Jail recorded a 313-percent congestion rate with 237 inmates from a capacity of 57.

The Davao City Jail Annex also registered a 247 congestion rate which has an ideal capacity of 144 but the current jail population is already at 501.

Meanwhile, Digos City District Jail-Female Dorm has 55 percent congestion rate after it exceeded the ideal population of 21. It is currently occupied by 33 PDLs even as the Lupon City Jail also has 32 percent congestion rate with 31 ideal population but is accommodating 41 PDLs.

Lobenia said they are stepping up measures to address these perennial concerns in their jail facilities through the construction of new buildings and structures such as the New Davao City Jail located in Barangay Waan, Calinan, Davao City; Montevista; Panabo City Jail, Tagum City Jail, Igacos City Jail, and Lupon, Tagum City Jail Female.

“Makikita natin, ito ‘yong ginagawa ng BJMP natin to address the congestion problem to aid and alleviate the quality of living of our persons deprived of liberty,” Lobenia said.

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