BJMP inaugurates P515-M New Mandaluyong City Jail

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Tuesday held an inaugural blessing of the New Mandaluyong City Jail in Maysilo Circle, Barangay Plainview.

In a statement, the BJMP said the P515 million worth nine-story facility with 24 detention cells can reduce the congestion rate of the jail from 722% to -835%,

“Thus, achieving a zero-congestion rate,” it said.

The New Mandaluyong City Jail will now accommodate 758 male and 101 female persons deprived of liberty currently detained in Mandaluyong City Jail - Male and Female Dormitories.

Among the officials who attended the inauguration were Mandaluyong City Mayor Menchie Abalos, the Department of Public Works and Highways, and Congressman Boyet Gonzales.

According to Abalos, the New Mandaluyong City Jail is the most modern prison in the country and also considered as a “green” building.

In 2020, the Commission on Audit said in its 2019 report on the BJMP that the total jail population in the country has reached 130,667 as of December 31, 2019—way beyond the ideal capacity of jails at 24,306.

Region 9 is the most congested at 821%, followed by the National Capital Region (NCR) with a congestion rate of 645%.

Region 7 ranked third with a 611% congestion rate.

On the other hand, jails in the Cordillera Administrative Region were the least congested at 103%, followed by Region 2 at 107%. Region 4B is third least congested at 222%. -MDM, GMA News