BJMP RESUMES FACE-TO-FACE VISITATION OF PDL

 

Dateline Kamuning - 

In time for the celebration of Christmas, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has allowed the resumption of face-to-face visitation of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) in jails 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. 

Of the 477 jail facilities under the BJMP, only those with at least 85% of their personnel and PDL are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, shall implement in-person or contact visitation.

As of December 10, 2022, a total of 126, 440 PDL, or 97.44% out of the 129,766-jail population already received COVID-19 jabs.

Of the 126, 440 PDL 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% of the jail population had already received their booster shot against COVID-19.

 

Protocol on entry of Visitors

Considering the congestion rate in the majority of BJMP jail facilities, only 25% of the total PDL 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 PDL Single Carpeta System, and they have scheduled their visit.

To ensure that everyone is protected from the virus, visitors who wish to avail of an in-contact visitation must be fully vaccinated, preferably with a booster shot against COVID-19, and proof of this must be presented prior to jail entry.

In the event that visitors are not vaccinated, they may enter the jail facility as long as they can 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 01:00 PM to 05:00 PM. While on Saturday and Sunday are from 08:00 AM to 12 NN, and will resume at 01:00 until 05:00 PM.

 

 

Monday and Friday are reserved for PDL’s washday and sanitation of the entire jail facility.

Other modes of visitation such as the E-dalaw program for PDL are still 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 conducted 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 are tasked to monitor the conduct and implementation of Contact Visitation in all jail facilities under their jurisdiction.