The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) exceeded last year the ideal jail capacity nationwide by 403%, the Commission on Audit told the agency in an audit report.
The state auditors noted that BJMP held in detention a total of 115,336 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) as of Dec. 31, 2020—way beyond the ideal population of 34,893.
“The 403 percent congestion rate is still way beyond the accepted standards set by the United Nations,” COA said in its audit report.
“These conditions greatly affect the morale and disposition of PDLs considering that they are not yet convicted and are presumed innocent,” it added.
Calabarzon had the highest jail congestion rate at 619%, followed by Central Luzon at 609% and Metro Manila with 595%.
In response to the findings, the BJMP management said the high congestion rate does not imply that jail facilities nationwide are operating in “sub-normal conditions.”
It said some jails meet the minimum occupancy rate and are able to provide a sanitary environment for inmates.
The BJMP also said ongoing infrastructure projects would ease congestion in the prisons.