City jail to expand by Q1 next year

CEBU, Philippines - A proposed expansion project inside Lapu-Lapu City Jail is expected to reduce congestion rates, although officials could not determine yet by how much.

Jail leaders target to tear down the jail facility's canteen and add two other buildings on top of three existing ones.

Construction is hoped to start as early as the end of this year or by the opening of 2015.

Jail warden Reynante Rubio said congestion rate among male inmates is currently pegged at 614.5 percent and for females, 452.2 percent.

The facility is supposed to house only around 800 inmates but is now accommodating a total of 1,142.

The congestion, according to Rubio, is not felt during daytime since recreational activities are in store for the inmates during these hours.

During the night, however, when prisoners are padlocked in their cells, they are having a hard time sleeping because of the cramped area, Rubio explained.

Officials fear that overcrowding would facilitate the spreading of diseases inside the cells.

With the construction of new buildings, officials also hope that inmates involved in drug-related cases can now be segregated from the rest of the pack.

Already, the warden has submitted a report to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology-7 about the plan to expand the facility so that it can be reviewed by the bureau's engineers for purposes of maintaining standards.

The funds to be used for the project's realization will be sourced from the city and national governments. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud (FREEMAN)