Leyte Regional Prison (LRP) in Abuyog, Southern Leyte has launched its “e-dalaw” system to allow persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to talk to their loved ones online or through telephone calls.

“This project aims to provide moral support and give hope to PDLs by contacting their immediate family to alleviate the hardships and loneliness they suffer,” LRP said in a statement.

The “e-dalaw” system is being implemented for PDLs as “an alternative to physical visitation which has been suspended due to pandemic,” it said.

“The ‘e-dalaw’ can be either thru video call, or phone call in loudspeaker mode so that CO1 Ronald Velasco, monitoring staff, can hear the conversation and thwart any inappropriate information that may be communicated, if there is any,” it said.

Also, it said, all calls are recorded in a logbook for security monitoring.

“Video calls can be scheduled depending on the availability of the visitor the PDL wished to see and a maximum of five minutes of call is allowed to give way for other PDLs who would also like to contact their loved ones,” it noted.

It pointed out that the system is in consonance with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners which provides that “the PDLs shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate with their family and reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and by receiving visits.”