Nat’l prison now taking photos of inmates’ visitors

Supt. Richard Schwarzkopf Jr.

The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) has put in place a new security system that officials hope would help monitor and profile the people who visit the inmates.

NBP head Supt. Richard Schwarzkopf Jr. said the system, which was first implemented on Dec. 24 in time for the holidays, directs visitors to a reception area where their pictures and other basic information (name, age, address) are taken and entered into a database.

The procedure initially applies to those visiting convicts in the maximum security compound.

Schwarzkopf said this was a departure from the previous system which merely asked visitors to present IDs and secure entry passes once their relation to the inmates is verified.

“So now [we have a reference] in case there is an inquiry or an investigation,” Schwarzkopf said.

The new system also expedites the entry process in the long run, he said, since the verification stage for subsequent visits would be shorter—with just a quick check on the database.

“The next time visitors enter, we know whether they are related to the inmates because they are already registered. Less time [is needed] for verification,” he said.

So far, the NBP is using 21 computers for this purpose, though not all are equipped with cameras, he said. Plans are underway to obtain additional hardware.

“The system will also be in place in the medium and minimum security compounds soon,” Schwarzkopf added.

About 5,000 visitors to the maximum security compound, from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26, have so far been included in the database.