JUST like the popular but erroneous quotation “Houston, we have a problem” the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has one humungous problem with corruption, especially within the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa which is the country’s national penitentiary.
The real problem is not so much the issue of corruption itself but the depths to which this malingering disease has pervaded and infected the ranks of the BuCor which is the real dilemma.
Undersecretary Gerald Bantag, director-general of BuCor, has his work cut out for him and if he wants results immediately then he has to better than just relieving 300 BuCor guards at the national penitentiary maximum security compound and replacing them with policemen. Right now the relief of the said jail personnel is just a temporary solution to an ingrained and deep seated malady that requires other more feasible measures other than replacing people with others who are also susceptible to bribery and other forms of corruption within the prison.
Perhaps Usec. Bantag can request funds for the installation of electronic measures that would assist jail guards in establishing a “no-contact” system inside the maximum security compound of the national penitentiary. This might seem a bit difficult at first glance but with available and current technology everything is nearing the level of remote control.
With modern technology now it seems as if nothing is impossible. May be what Usec. Bantag needs aside from his personal uncompromising stand against corruption and his favorite samurai is to consider acquiring the appropriate technology that would assist the jail guard in his duties of monitoring and interacting with hardened criminals.
One suggestion is for the possibility of automating the process of serving food so that no convict shall have the opportunity of negotiating with the automated system for better or more food in exchange for money. Or in the Prison cells may be what is needed is technology that would allow prison guards to avoid from engaging in conversations (negotiations) with convicts.
One way this can be done is the possibility of installing electronic messaging systems or gadgets within the prison cells that would allow convicts to communicate with the office of the jail supervisor and not the jail guards themselves. The messages themselves will be recorded and reviewed by BuCor officials before they can be acted upon. If the message is a legitimate and valid concern then the BuCor will accede to the request but if it is nonsensical or a form of bribery or negotiation leading to corruption then it can simply be ignored and the convict meted with the appropriate sanction.
There are so many ways that technology can be used to help BuCor lessen the tendencies and opportunities for corruption. It just takes an open and creative mind to overcome the challenges presented by obsolete systems and procedures that are still being implemented in the national penitentiary.
Less contact and communication between prison guards and convicts less corruption. This is just a suggestion.