Gov’t can’t just release inmates to decongest prison facilities amid coronavirus pandemic – Palace

April 29, 2020

Malacañang said on Wednesday that the government could not just release prisoners and other detainees, including the minimum offenders, amid the increasing number of coronavirus disease infections in some prison facilities in the country.

In a television interview, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said those convicted already are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice since the Bureau of Corrections is its attached agency.

On the other hand, he said the detainees, who are awaiting trial are under the supervision of the Department of Interior and Local Government, specifically the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and under the jurisdiction of the courts.

"For those under DOJ, the convicted felons, we have a law which provides for probation and parole," he said.

Roque, quoting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, said that the DOJ is expediting already the processing of individuals who may qualify for probation and parole to decongest the prison facilities.

"As far as those awaiting trial or undergoing trial are concerned, the DILG has setup isolation places for those afflicted with COVID-19. But their options are very limited because these individuals are under the jurisdiction of the courts," he explained.

The BuCor and the BJMP have said that nearly 250 inmates and jail personnel in different prisons and jails have tested positive for COVID-19.

Some groups, including the Human Rights Watch, have asked the government to take urgent measures to better protect prisoners, including the reduction of prison population to allow for social distancing and other preventive measures. Celerina Monte/DMS