City jail’s capacity still above maximum

CEBU, Philippines - The number of prisoners billeted at the Cebu City Jail is way above its maximum capacity, even if it regularly sends prisoners to New Bilibid Prison.

Superintendent Johnson Calub, officer-in-charge of the Cebu City Jail, and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said they are waiting President Benigno Aquino III to sign the “implementing rules and regulations on the classification system for good conduct and time allowances” of the Republic Act 10592.

“We would rather wait for the implementing rules on matter of good conduct prisoners and those who will qualify on the good conduct. It will significantly reduce the number sa atong detention,” Labella said.

“Sama anang mominus ang sintensya nila kun mosunod lang sila sa patakaran sulod sa jail,” said Calub.

Based on Article 97 of the Act Amending Articles 29, 94, 97, 98 and 99 of Act No. 3815, as amended, otherwise known as the Revised Penal Code, a prisoner is entitled for deductions from the period of his sentence.

“1. During the first two years of imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of twenty days for each month of good behavior during detention; 2. During the third to the fifth year, inclusive, of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a reduction of twenty-three days for each month of good behavior during detention,” states the law.

Also stated on the law is that “3. During the following years until the tenth year, inclusive, of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of twenty-five days for each month of good behavior during detention;4. During the eleventh and successive years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of thirty days for each month of good behavior during detention.”

Further stated on the law: “At any time during the period of imprisonment, he shall be allowed another deduction of fifteen days, in addition to numbers one to four hereof, for each month of study, teaching or mentoring service time rendered.”

Labella said more than 100 insular prisoners were already sent to New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. Insular prisoners are inmates who were sentenced for three years above.

“Kada buwan magpadala. Unya kun naa na gani mga insular prisoners amo man dayon na ipadala (to lessen the number of prisoners),” said Calub.

Calub said the ideal number of male prisoners in Cebu City Jail male dormitory should only be 1,600 to 1,800. However, at present, there are 2,228 prisoners.

“Manageable (number of the exceeding prisoners) according to the Bureau Jail Management,” Labella said.

Earlier, Labella said that one of the reasons why the jail is overcrowded is that some inmates lack proper legal assistance from lawyers.

“There are those who have already served sentences beyond. Especially during the earthquake, many have not been arraigned and are there for quite a long time already. So it should be decongested,” he said.

During the October 15 earthquake, trial courts were damaged causing the courts to suspend hearings.

Labella said earlier that he has already coordinated with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter to address the problem of jail congestion.

In an earlier interview, Mae Elaine Bathan, president of the IBP-Cebu City Chapter, said they are willing to provide legal assistance to the inmates, adding that decongestion has always been the objective of the IBP.

“We are very much willing to partner with the Cebu City government with regard to this matter. We cannot just come in, man gud. They (others) have their own lawyers. Unless (they are) referred to us by the court or the client will come to us,” she said. â€”/JMD (FREEMAN)