Senate OKs on 2nd reading bill on facility for heinous crime convicts

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate on Tuesday approved on second reading a bill seeking to establish a separate facility for prisoners convicted of heinous crimes.

Senate Bill No. 1055 proposes the construction of the Maximum Penal Institution in a suitable location as determined by the Secretary of Justice, “preferably within a military establishment or in an island separate in the mainland.”

The penal institution will have to be located “in a secured and isolated place ensuring that there is no unwarranted contact or communication with those outside of the penal institution.”

It will be a “state-of-the-art” facility complete with security measures — such as surveillance cameras and extensive security features on locks, doors, and its perimeters, the measure states.

“The facility shall be maintained clean and habitable at all times. Sanitary and hygienic comfort rooms shall be provided and maintained,” the bill added.

The measure covers all high-level heinous crime offenders who are at prison facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

/atm