The congestion rate in all the jails supervised and managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) t is now down to 294 percent from 600 percent during the previous administration.
In a press briefing, BJMP spokesperson Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said the current congestion rate is a marked improvement from last year’s 327 percent congestion rate, noting that the living conditions of the persons deprived of liberty (PDL) improved with the construction of the new BJMP-manned jail facilities.
"Like the new facilities, in Payatas, at the Quezon City Jail, that is one of our flagship projects. We also have the facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa which is also newly constructed. Mandaluyong City Jail is another modern and spacious facility. Marawi City jail is another example and other major cities where the construction of new, modern and humane facilities are underway,’’ Bustinera said.
“The decongestion program at the BJMP is continuous. New, modern and spacious facilities were built. At the old facilities, retrofitting of exhaust fans is ongoing to improve ventilation inside),’’ he added.
With the soaring temperature, Bustinera maintained the BJMP has established protocols to address the PDLs’ issues in summer-borne diseases.
With 488 city, district and municipal jails under the BJMP’s supervision, Bustinera said all of these facilities have access to potable water which are directly connected to their respective water concessionaires.
Further, Bustinera assured that monthly sanitation protocols are required in each BJMP facility like the monitoring of water potability.
In the event of water service interruptions, Bustinera pointed out that the BJMP had coordinated with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to supply water as a contingency back-up scheme.