Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory warden Supt. Xavier Solda was chosen as the City Jail Warden of the Year by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
In a statement, the BJMP stated that Solda bested other contenders following the impactful reforms that have greatly improved the lives of individuals deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory during the deliberation of the agency's National PRAISE Committee.
The award will be presented to Solda during the commemoration of the 33rd BJMP anniversary at Tejeros Hall of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on July 1.
“Under Solda's leadership at Zamboanga City Jail, an impressive 1,440 PDLs – equivalent to freeing up 14 jail cells based on the current PDL population rate – have been released within a span of just 16 months. This significant achievement has led to a notable decongestion of the heavily overcrowded facility,’’ the BJMP noted.
In recognizing his achievement, the BJMP pointed out that Solda also established the bureau’s first physiotherapy services clinic for the PDLs suffering from stroke, as well as the Madrasah Al Ertiqa, the jail bureau’s inaugural Islamic school.
In an interview, Solda underscored that the recognition is a testament to the collaborative efforts of him and his personnel in ensuring the safety, welfare, and rehabilitation of PDLs.
“Our unit is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to the PDL under our care,’’ Solda stated.
“Their dignity and human rights are our foremost concern,’’ he added.
Earlier, BJMP chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera commended the leadership at the Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory for implementing a range of jail management reforms, demonstrating the bureau's commitment to comprehensive rehabilitation within the jail facilities, stressing “the importance of continuously enhancing the delivery of services to the bureau's clientele.’’