THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Davao has recorded a 599-percent average of total congestion rate in all its jail facilities in the region that triggers various illnesses among the inmates.
BJMP-Davao chief community relations service officer Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia admitted that the perennial problem of congestion remains a problem in the region's jail facilities.
The total capacity of jail facilities is just 1,049, but the present population is 6,913.
Davao City alone has a total inmate population of 3,378 for facilities designed to contain just 421 or 702 percent above what it is supposed to serve.
Lobernia said they are looking at this as a major challenge to better their performance in securing the jails, as well as ensuring the welfare of the detainees.
The top reason of jail congestion is due to the government's drug war. Most inmates have drug-related cases.
He said they have a total of 393 manpower resources -- 35 junior commissioned officers, 357 non-commissioned officers and one non-uniformed personnel to man the thousands of inmates.
This year, BJMP was allotted additional 1,000 quota for officers nationwide to secure 150,000 inmates. It currently has 12,000 jail officers. In terms of custodial function, the ratio should be one personnel to seven inmates. However, in the current situation, the ratio is one personnel to 66 inmates.
The BJMP has 11 jails, including the Montevista District Jail, Panabo City District Jail, Igacos District Jail, Tagum City Jail (male and female), Digos City District Jail (male and female), Davao City Jail (male and female), Davao City Jail Annex, Lupon District Jail also in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur and Davao Oriental provinces.