ABS-CBN
COA: 69% of PH jails congested, conditions beyond acceptable standards
A Commission on Audit (COA) report revealed that 69% of jails in the Philippines are congested, with conditions exceeding acceptable sanitation and habitat standards.
The audit report indicated that 366 out of 484 jail facilities nationwide are overcrowded, with congestion rates varying significantly from 1 to over 2,100 percent.
These congestion levels far exceed the acceptable standards set by both the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the United Nations.
As of December 31, 2024, jails housed 113,518 PDLs, exceeding the ideal capacity of 50,085 inmates based on the UN standard of 4.7 square meters of space per person.
The most congested facilities identified were Biñan City Jail - Male Dormitory, Muntinlupa City Jail - Male Dormitory, and Dasmariñas City Jail - Female Dormitory.
A significant majority, 88 percent, of the PDLs in these jails are still awaiting trial or final judgment.
Congestion in jails can lead to health and sanitation problems and may increase gang affiliation among inmates.
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