Quezon jail congestion up 40%

LUCENA CITY, Quezon -- A top official of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) here on Tuesday said inmate occupancy at the provincial jail has risen by 40 percent due to the government relentless war on drugs.  

Jail Warden, Superintendent Bermar Adlaon, attributed the jail congestion to the increasing number of arrested and detained drug suspects as their cases await proper disposition.

Adlaon made the disclosure during Monday's kickoff of the province’s observance of “National Correctional Consciousness Month” this October.

Among the activities lined up to support the event include information and education campaign to broaden awareness among constituents and the public being part of the so-called community pillar of the criminal justice system.

Part of this campaign is engaging the communities and families of inmates in addressing issues and concerns of those under detention and imprisoned for breaches of the country’s laws.

He, however, assured that by November, the provincial prison facility would soon be decongested as some inmates are to be relocated to a temporary detention site.

Adlaon also reported that the construction of a new provincial jail in Talipan, Quezon is already 60 percent done paving the way for improved and spacious prison cells. (Gideon Belen/PNA)