PNP: No more cell phones for inmates

Inmates are no longer allowed to have mobile phones and other electronic messaging devices to prevent them from continuing their illegal activities in their cells, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio Jr., chief of the Directorate for Operations (DO), has directed the district directors of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), police provincial directors, and chiefs of police to strictly prohibit electronic messaging devices, especially mobile phones, in their detention cells.

Alarcio issued the order following reports on the rampant use of mobile phones by inmates in detention cells have reached his office.

He said police commanders, as a matter of policy, must be tough on inmates using electronic messaging devices, which a detainee is not allowed to possess.

“Under custodial rules, mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios, laptop computers, and other devices capable of sending and receiving messages inside detention cells shall be considered contraband items and will be confiscated because they are deemed detrimental to the security of the facility and custodial personnel,” Alarcio said.

However, he reminded police commanders and custodial personnel that the inmate still owns the cell phone or device.

“As such, these items should be returned, not to the owner-inmate but to any person authorized by the inmate. Authorization must be done in writing to receive the item and that the recipient shall issue a receipt acknowledging receipt of the items,” Alarcio explained.

He added that should the device be confiscated for the second time from the inmate, the item shall be kept by the police station or unit property custodian who shall also issue a receipt.

“It is important that a receipt be issued so that the relatives of the inmates will not have this impression that the police is confiscating their cell phones because the police is interested to own or steal it for themselves,” Alarcio said.  – Cecille Suerte Felipe