By Alec Go
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said more than 103,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) were released in 2022 as part of the government’s prison decongestion program.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said 77,960 PDLs were released through paralegal services and 25,333 PDLs were freed through other paralegal means.
“Saludo ako sa BJMP sa kanilang decongestion efforts. Matagal ng problema ang kasikipan ng mga kulungan at nararapat lamang na tuloy-tuloy ang ating pagsusumikap na tugunan ito,” he said.
“I know for sure that BJMP will not stop here. Alam kong patuloy nilang pangungunahan ang pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng ating mga kababayang PDL,” he added.
Citing BJMP data, the DILG said 6,288 qualified PDLs or 10% of the 130,138 average monthly jail population are released monthly for its “zero staying PDLs” program in all 478 BJMP correctional facilities.
The DILG also noted BJMP facilities’ 367% congestion rate with 126,820 PDLs in the country.
BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral said they are “utilizing all legal means” to decongest jails.
“[And] we are grateful that President Marcos is supporting these efforts,” he said. – gb
