By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY – The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Region 11 (BJMP-11) has started implementing reforms at Davao City Jail that will include a “no contact policy” soon.
While it has been implementing the “no visit rule” for a month now, BJMP is currently working on establishing a receiving area for inmates to communicate with families without necessarily going through physical contact.
“It is being worked out by our logistics and it already has a blueprint,” Jail Inspector Edo Lobenia, BJMP-11 spokesperson, told local reporters Wednesday.
Lobenia said BJMP has already started investigating the four jail guards facing accusations of various offenses, such as allowing contrabands inside the facility.
Proceedings for the potential summary dismissal of BJMP Jail Chief Inspector Roman Hernandez, the agency’s jail administrator for Davao del Sur that includes this city, is also ongoing, Lobenia said.
Hernandez tested positive for shabu use in a drug test during the Operation Greyhound last Saturday, where policemen and anti-narcotics agents also confiscated PHP160,000 worth of shabu, drug paraphernalia, and bladed weapons.
The surprise inspection also led to the wounding of three policemen and the death of four inmates who allegedly attacked law enforcers.
“We are showing to the public that we are not tolerating personnel involved in illegal activities,” Lobenia said.
Lobenia said that as part of the reforms at the city jail, 70 percent of the facility’s personnel has been moved to other assignments.
“It does not mean they are involved in illegal activities,” he clarified, characterizing the revamp as part of the regular rotation of personnel.
Lobenia admitted the congestion at the jail facility has made it difficult for BJMP to effectively monitor all inmates. He noted that the city jail has a total population of over 3,000 inmates with a 600 percent congestion rate.
However, Lobenia said BJMP-11 is optimistic that the newly-implemented reforms could help curb illegal activities inside the facility.
Lobenia said BJMP-11 is open to suggestions from the public to improve the facility’s systems and procedures.
