Solon pushes for full transfer of provincial jail management to BJMP

A lawmaker has proposed the transfer of control over all provincial jails in the country from local government units (LGUs) to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), echoing the prison bureau’s bid for a more uniform system of correctional facilities.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas has filed House Bill No. 2217, which aims to create an “integrated approach to jail management in the country.”

The proposed bill seeks to amend Section 61 of Republic Act No. 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990, which places all provincial jails under the control of LGUs, and municipal and city jails under the BJMP.

“With this setup, it is difficult to establish an integrated approach to jail management as overall coordination between the national leadership of the BJMP and the provincial government vis-à-vis jail management can hardly be done,” Matugas said.

Matugas acknowledged BJMP’s role in maintaining peace and order in the country, including the rehabilitation of criminals, through its various programs. But he said the present fragmented correctional system in the Philippines hindered the prison bureau in carrying out its goals.

“There is lack of uniformity in the training of jail personnel; livelihood projects, educational and vocational trainings vary and even the custody and security of inmates are not assured, thus making good governance impossible to achieve,” Matugas said.

At present, BJMP supervises a number of provincial jails, but it has been advocating for the transfer of all provincial facilities under its control.

Last month, a plunder complaint has been filed against BJMP officials for alleged misuse of funds worth at least P50 million, which supposedly transpired during the “transition period” of turning over provincial jails to the bureau.

● Plunder complaint filed vs BJMP execs over alleged funds misuse

In 2012, deceased former Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo also called for the transfer of provincial jail management to the BJMP after 11 prisoners escaped from the Maguindanao Provincial Jail in Cotabato City. RC

● Robredo calls for transfer of provincial jail management to prison bureau