De Lima to file measure pushing for prison reform

Sen. Leila de Lima is flanked by police escorts as she arrives in court in this file photo taken in July 2018. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

In line with the 30th celebration of the Prison Awareness Week, Senator Leila de Lima will file a bill to establish prison reform and ensure full respect for the rights of inmates.

“In this meaningful occasion, we are called upon to reflect and look at the plight of our brothers and sisters in prison and to raise awareness on how we can participate in their effective rehabilitation and reintegration in society,” De Lima said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Together, we need to address the often-repeated challenges of effective correctional system and jail management in pursuing restorative justice for those found guilty of violating our criminal laws,” she added.

The measure, according to De Lima, will propose a policy of decongesting and improving the country’s prisons and detention facilities, while introducing an improved system of custody and rehabilitation of the prisoners.

The detained senator, meanwhile, emphasized the need to institutionalize prison reform and restorative justice in the Philippine correctional system to guarantee full respect for the rights of inmates.

Moreover, the opposition senator said that the measure she intends to file will also address the need to regionalize the prisons, and to standardize the rules and regulations in running all types of detention facilities.

De Lima also noted that she envisioned the proposed measure to run parallel with Senate Bill No. 1879, which she had earlier filed.

The said bill seeks to integrate the management of the country’s jails and prisons under one agency tasked to provide better treatment and rehabilitation programs for all detainees and prisoners, the senator said. /jpv

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