Manila City Jail inmates enjoy e-dalaw

MANILA, Philippines - Inmates at the Manila City Jail (MCJ) are enjoying the e-dalaw (electronic visit) program of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), which allows them to talk to their relatives in the provinces through supervised video calls.

The BJMP and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), in partnership with the Office of the Secretary General, set up the program at the MCJ, which currently houses 3,995 inmates.

“This will be our early Christmas gift for (inmates) and their families,” DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said. “This is best for families who cannot visit their detained member due to financial and distance constraints. About 30 to 40 percent of inmates are not visited by family member.”

The BJMP said the e-dalaw was proven successful among Quezon City Jail inmates.