Jail security challenges

The discovery that inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) can sneak in cellphones without the guards noticing is no longer news for a facility that failed to notice that a former mayor detained for the murder of a media practitioner can actually sneak in a birthday party complete with footage from security cameras.

After all, if they can sneak in all sorts of crazy, improvised weapons—despite Provincial Jail Warden Romeo Manansala’s unequivocal statement that they haven’t seen — what stops visitors and inmates from procuring cellphones even within the polluted confines of their cells?

The real shocker, if it can be called that, is the discovery of the luxurious quarters inside the New Bilibid Prison that were occupied by drug convicts. One look at the digs enjoyed by these drug convicts that were splashed on the front page of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and one briefly wonders if crime does pay.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, who voiced disgust on seeing these luxury quarters inside the state penitentiary, said a budget would be allocated to install security cameras and to hire dependable jail guards, whom she suspected of either being threatened or are being paid to turn a blind eye by the drug convicts.

Air-conditioned cells, jacuzzis, saunas and even a life-sized sex doll were found inside the maximum security compound of the New Bilibid Prison. And the major drug convicts reportedly have wads of cash in their pockets and wear pricey watches.

The discovery reminds one of the scene in the 1990 Mafia film “Good Fellas” where the main character Henry Hill and his cohorts ate pasta and drank wine while the rest of the inmates had to make do with meat loaf and potatoes.

Again, the CPDRC is no stranger when it comes to VIP treatment of certain inmates. Former mayor Alfredo Arsenio of Lezo town, Aklan province was caught by security footage having a party at the warden’s office two years ago.

Cebu Daily News also showed Arsenio, accused of being the mastermind behind the murder of dyIN Bombo Radyo station manager Heherson “Boy” Hinolan, eating at a fancy restaurant with no handcuffs on.

Then acting warden Napoleon Miranda was suspended by former governor Gwendolyn Garcia following the controversy. That incident still left a bad taste in the mouth but with a new administration, the problem now focused on other matters like the continued smuggling of prohibited items like cellphones.

While setting up signal jammers may help, the better solution will be the continuing education and enforcement of discipline among jail personnel, who remain ill-equipped and understaffed in their task not only to prevent jail breaks but to ensure the safety and condition of every inmate.