Jail congestion rate dropped to 348% in Jan-Oct 2023 —BJMP data

The congestion rate in jails during the January-October period has decreased to 348% in 2023 compared to the 367% in 2022, based on the report of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

In a statement on Friday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the decrease was attributed to the continuous implementation of paralegal programs.

These include Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA); Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM); and Special Time Allowance for Loyalty (STAL).

“Some 77,467 PDLs were granted time allowance, while 18,865 had qualified for TASTM,” the PCO said.

GCTA deducts 20 to 30 days per month from the possible maximum imprisonment based on the length of incarceration.

TASTM, on the other hand, gives 15 days deduction to qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) engaging in 60 hours of study, teaching and mentoring services monthly, it added.

STAL cuts one-fifth or two-fifths of the imprisonment period of PDLs who did not escape even if they had the opportunity during calamities.

On December 6, concerned government agencies attended the National Jail Decongestion Summit to draft a comprehensive analysis on the penal system and address the prison congestion problem.

Meanwhile, the BJMP also reported improvement in its anti-illegal drug efforts with over 70% of jails certified as “drug-free and drug-cleared” by the regional oversight committees.

PDLs are also given access to education for livelihood and vocational skills as well as for elementary, high school, and tertiary level diplomas, it added.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News