BJMP: 7 PDLs earn college degrees behind bars, 35 currently enrolled
Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing, BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said the agency is ramping up partnerships with educational and justice institutions to equip PDLs for reintegration into society and reduce repeat offenses.
'It boosts the morale, and improves the rehabilitation of the PDLs para kapag sila ay lumaya, hindi na sila mag-commit ng crime upon release,' he said.
(It boosts morale and improves rehabilitation so that when they are released, they're less likely to reoffend.)
Through collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), the BJMP has made entrepreneurship courses accessible behind bars.
'May 35 presently enrolled behind bars, at sila ang mga naka-enroll sa entrepreneurship courses. Ito ang majority dito sa PUP, pakikipag-ugnayan ng ating Manila City Jail," the BJMP official said.
(There are 35 PDLs enrolled in college, mostly in entrepreneurship courses through PUP in coordination with Manila City Jail.)
Bustinera also cited support from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), which provide Alternative Learning System (ALS) education and vocational certifications to PDLs.
'Sa CHED, nakapagtapos tayo ng 7 PDL ng college at ongoing 30 plus na enrolled in college education.'
(Through CHED, seven PDLs have graduated, and over 30 more are currently enrolled.)
To support this learning, the BJMP has begun improving digital infrastructure for online and hybrid classes.
80,000 inmates released, congestion drops 296%
Over the past year, more than 80,000 PDLs have been released, contributing to a dramatic 296% drop in jail congestion nationwide.
'Meron po tayong humigit 80,000 na PDL na pinalaya natin through our paralegal services. Ito po yung mga jail officers natin na nakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga korte, sa kanilang mga abogado para mapabilis ang paglilitis ng kanilang kaso,' Bustinera said.
(We released over 80,000 PDLs through paralegal services, with officers coordinating with courts and lawyers to speed up trials.)
'Bumaba ho ng 296% ang ating congestion rate. Matatandaan, galing po ito sa 314–334% last year hanggang 600% back in 2018.'
(Our congestion rate dropped 296%. It was 314–334% last year and reached 600% in 2018.)
The BJMP worked closely with the Supreme Court, Public Attorney's Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), and law schools under Justice Zone programs to fast-track the release of qualified or overstaying detainees.
'Ito po yung pakikipag-ugnayan rin sa ating mga korte para mabigyan sila ng hearing… at mabigyan ng pagkakataon ng other modes of release katulad ng recognizance, ng bail.'
(This includes coordination with courts to ensure hearings and explore other release options like recognizance and bail.)
Bustinera proudly reported that BJMP now has zero overstaying PDLs under its custody.
'Wala po tayong overstaying na PDL. Lahat po na may sentensya di na po natin pinapatagal. Kung the moment na release na sila dapat lumaya na sila,' he noted.
(We have no overstaying PDLs. Once a detainee has a release order, they are freed immediately.)
Jail construction helps ease overcrowding
The BJMP's decongestion drive is reinforced by ongoing infrastructure expansion, especially in highly congested areas.
Out of 484 jail facilities nationwide, 142 are newly built, while over 40 more are under construction.
'So ito po primarily din bukod sa paralegal efforts… ito yung isang major contributor din ang pag-decline ng ating siksikan sa loob ng ating piitan,' he added.
(Aside from legal aid, facility expansion is a major factor in reducing jail overcrowding.) —LDF, GMA Integrated News
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