The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has reported a slight easing in congestion levels across the country's district, city, and municipal jail facilities. The congestion rate has reduced to 322% from 365% last year. Despite this improvement, overcrowding remains a significant issue.
BJMP Chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera attributed the reduction to the recent release of over 8,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and improvements in jail facilities, despite the bureau's limited resources.
"The decrease in congestion is significant because over 8,000 inmates were freed from the data we provided. Fifteen jail facilities were repaired and built so this contributed to the decongestion," Rivera explained.
However, Rivera noted that the BJMP still faces a severe manpower shortage. The bureau currently employs 23,000 personnel, with an additional 2,000 set to join the service. This number falls short of the required 60,000 personnel needed for effective facility administration and operation.
"We are only able to meet almost half of the manpower requirement. When you look at our escorts, when a bus is deployed, only 10 or 15 escorts are on hand," Rivera said, highlighting the operational challenges.
Rivera emphasized that ideally, each PDL should be overseen by one team leader and two supporting personnel.
The BJMP operates under the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), while the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), which manages the national prisons and penal farms, including the New Bilibid Prison, falls under the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Rivera stated that the BJMP is collaborating with other agencies and local government units to address the manpower gap and the issue of overcrowded jails, noting that these problems require a comprehensive and collaborative approach.
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