THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao said the persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who will be admitted to their jail facilities will still be required to undergo quarantine in their isolation facility before they will be integrated with other detainees.
BJMP-Davao spokesperson Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia said on Sunday, June 21, that for the past two weeks since they began accepting new PDLs, none have so far tested positive for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
He said all their jail facilities in the region are still Covid-19 free and they are implementing measures in screening PDLs to prevent outbreaks in jails.
“Even before Executive Order No. 37 of the Office of the City Mayor, which is an order requiring mandatory Covid-19 testing before admission or release of PDL in jails, we have prior screening such as rapid test before the commitment of PDL,” Lobenia said.
He said before admission, PDLs should have already undergone 14 days mandatory quarantine period in the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) lock-up jails.
“After that, PDL will also undergo a 14-day mandatory quarantine period inside our facility which is an isolated area from other PDL,” Lobenia said.
Lobenia said they cannot afford contamination inside their facility given the present condition where social distancing is impossible to implement because of the overpopulation.
“Kaya nagpapasalamat kami sa Office of the City Mayor for the executive order para mas lalo pa ma-enhance and intensify yung established protocols ng ating BJMP Health Division," he said.
To sustain the Covid-19-free status of their jail facilities, strict safety measures are still in place, such as but not limited to the prohibition of jail guards from returning to their respective homes so they will not become a carrier of the virus.
Face to face visitation of family members and loved ones are likewise prohibited as of to date but E-dalaw is allowed.
Lobenia added that telepsychology is being provided by the BJMP Psychometrician among the PDLs as part of their psychosocial intervention.