BJMP to inspect ‘escape-prone’ prisons

Following the escape of five prisoners last month from the Navotas City jail, the top official of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Tuesday that random surprise visits would be conducted in the following weeks on “escape-prone” facilities.

BJMP Director Rosendo M. Dial said the visits would be conducted by the bureau’s command group consisting of himself and other top BJMP officials, including his deputy chiefs for administration and operations, director for intelligence and chief internal auditor.

“We would like to know the actual condition of our facilities and put regional operations in order,” he said in a statement.

Dial added that the visits would involve the inspection of prison facilities, operations, security system, the personnel’s duty assignments and other concerns.

“Negligence of personnel on duty greatly accounts for most escape incidents in BJMP, thus the visit is also to ensure field personnel on duty are always on the alert,” he said.

According to Dial, the BJMP does not tolerate personnel who are slipshod in their duties. “Administrative charges were already filed against those on duty during escapes. Dismissal awaits those who will be found remiss,” he added.

The regional and jail visits should help identify factors that lead to escapes, he said.

Dial said the visits would also include lectures on how to strengthen security in jails, values formation and moral enhancement for personnel in field units.

Five prisoners facing different charges escaped from the Navotas City Jail on January 23 at about 4 a.m. They were identified as Mark Anthony Austria, Lito Balongray, Daryl Salvador, Narciso Dicipulo and Alex Alejandro, who was later recaptured in Bulacan.