In celebration of Christmas, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has allowed the resumption of face-to-face visitation of jail inmates under its jurisdiction.
“Bilang maagang pamasko sa ating mga PDL at sa kanilang mga pamilya, muli po nating pinapahintulutan ang pagkakaroon ng face-to-face visitation sa ating mga pasilidad,” BJMP chief Jail Director Allan Iral announced.
“Bahagi ng pagmamalasakit natin sa kanila ang gawin ang lahat ng paraan upang makapiling din nila ang kanilang mga pamilya,” he added.
Of the 477 jail facilities under the BJMP, only those with at least 85 percent of their personnel and inmates that are fully- vaccinated against COVID-19, shall implement physical visitation.
As of yesterday, a total of 126, 440 PDL, or 97.44 percent of the 129,766-jail population already received COVID-19 jabs.
Of the 126, 440 inmates vaccinated, 116,398 already received their first dose, 112,772 completed their second dose, and 10,042 were inoculated with a single dose vaccine.
Meanwhile, 106,134 PDL or 81.79 percent of the jail population had already received their booster shot against COVID-19.
Visitation protocol
Considering the congestion rate in the majority of BJMP jail facilities, only 25 percent of the total inmates population of the jail facility shall be allowed to avail of face-to-face visitation in a single visitation day.
Only immediate family members of PDL shall be allowed to visit and avail of the “Contact Visitation” — provided that their names are included in the Approved Visitor’s List found in the National Monitoring System and inmates' single carpeta system, and they have scheduled their visit.
To ensure that everyone is protected from the virus, visitors who wish to avail of the physical visitations must be fully- vaccinated, preferably with a booster shot against COVID-19, and proof of this must be presented prior to jail entry.
For the unvaccinated visitors, they must show proof that they tested negative for COVID-19 through RT-PCR or Antigen taken 24 to 72 hours upon entry.
Schedule of Visitation
Visitation hour on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday is from 1 p.m.to 5:.m.; Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and will resume at 1 p.m. ro 5 p.m.
Monday and Friday are reserved for inmates' washday and sanitation of the entire jail facility.
Other modes of visitation such as the E-dalaw will still be available to maximize visitation, and in cases where face-to-face visitation cannot be implemented due to heightened community risk level, security, or other related circumstances.
Ensuring jail readiness
In Metro Manila, BJMP-NCR Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Efren Nemeño recently confirmed that all 39 jails are now ready for the resumption of Contact Visitation next week.
Earlier this week, jails in NCR have already held dry- runs to ensure the proper implementation of procedures and protocols for the entry of visitors inside the facility.
“While we are mindful of the influx of visitors this season, we are also ensuring the operational readiness of our jail facilities particularly their management plan and security protocols during the holiday season,” Jail Chief Superintendent Nemeño stressed.
BJMP Regional COVID-19 Task Force is tasked to monitor the conduct and implementation of Contact Visitation in all jail facilities under their jurisdiction.
On March 20, 2020, the BJMP implemented the absolute lockdown of all its jail facilities nationwide. During the easing of jail lockdown on April 20, 2022 jail visit were limited to “no contact visitation” wherein visitors and inmates meet but are separated by a physical barrier.
Only essential items such as additional medicines and special dietary requirements can be brought to the facility by the families of the inmates subject to usual searching procedures and security protocols.