Over 100 PDLs in Manila City Jail to be released Dec. 8

The Manila City Jail, one of the most overcrowded prisons in the world, is set to release over 100  persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) on Friday, December 8.
 

According to Luisito Santos’ Thursday report on dzBB’s Super Radyo, at least 103 PDLs will be freed from the prison. 
 

The 2.4 hectare facility is designed to house 1,100 inmates. Records from January 2023 showed there were more than 5,500 male and female inmates being held in the jail.
 

Among those gaining their freedom are prisoners with dismissed cases, those who earned time allowance under good conduct time allowance (GCTA) and teaching, study, and mentoring (TASTM) programs, and PDLs who have served their jail time.

 

GCTA is a privilege granted to a prisoner, whether detained or convicted by final judgment, entitling him to a reduction of his jail or prison term for every month of actual detention or service of the sentence as a reward for good conduct and exemplary behavior.
 

Meanwhile, PDLs enrolled in the Alternative Learning System may earn a time allowance under TASTM. 

Superintendent Lino Soriano, warden of the Manila City Jail male dormitory, said the initiative is part of their program which aims to decongest the prison facility.
 

The move is also in line with the recently-held National Jail Decongestion Summit in Manila which was held to address jail congestion in the Philippines, he added. 

 

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) earlier said more than 3,000 PDLs are expected to be released from detention this month in time for the Christmas season.
—RF, GMA Integrated News