CDN File Photo
All jails in Cebu are filled beyond capacity.
Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez yesterday said congestion in jails in the province has reached a “staggering” 1,500 percent, with the Mandaue City Jail topping the list with 1,020 detainees in a facility designed for 65 inmates.
“Here in Cebu, jails are congested by 1,500 percent. The figures are staggering. We just have to seriously monitor the situation so it won’t worsen,” he said yesterday after meeting with judges, jail officers, and police officials.
The jails are filled with detention prisoners, those unable to post bail and waiting for trial hearings in court.
“I pity the prisoners in congested jail facilities. The rights of inmates has been part of the High Court’s agenda. These detention prisoners are not yet convicted. They are presumed innocent while their cases are being heard. They have every right to enjoy the benefits and rights of a person who is not convicted,” said Marquez.
Based on data from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), the 160-capacity Lapu-Lapu City Jail has 1,262 inmates while Cebu City Jail which has a rated capacity of 819 is being occupied by 2,355 inmates.
Other jail facilities in Cebu have similar congestion rates.
Marquez visited the Mandaue City Jail on Thursday to see the overcrowded conditions.
“Hopefully, we can monitor all the cases and reduced the congestion rates. Through that, our inmates will be in a better and humane condition,” he added.
Marquez said the judiciary will form a task force in Cebu to find ways to decongest the jails by speeding up disposition of their criminal cases.
The task force will be led by a Regional Trial Court judge with judges from the Municipal Trial Court, BJMP officials, chief prosecutors, and the Public Attorney’s Office as members.
A similar move was made in Manila which succeeded in freeing up space in the city jail.
“I hope we can duplicate that in Cebu,” he said.
Other programs to decongest jails include the rolling courtrooms called Enhanced Justice on Wheels where hearing are held for inmates ready to enter a “guilty” plea during arraignment and who have served time in jail longer than their supposed sentence.
Marquez said the Supreme Court will bring the “Judgement Day” to Cebu in December to help to case load of trial courts.
Lawyer Roy Valuenzuela of the BJMP legal division said jail congestion is a big challenge.
He said the number of inmates increased after the passage of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act in 2002.
“Jail congestion actually brings about security risks, more escapes, riots, and also health risks like tuberculosis,” Valenzuela said.
“BJMP is doing its best to address deaths inside the jail. But if left on our own, the challenge may be insurmountable. We need the help of other agencies especially the court,” he said.
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