Manila Bulletin
DOJ to release vulnerable prisoners to save them from COVID-19
The Department of Justice (DOJ) will proceed with the release of "vulnerable" persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) to protect them from COVID-19, even without the finalized uniform manual for the expanded Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law.
Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete stated that the revision of the GCTA uniform manual is nearly complete, with meetings conducted via video conference to finalize it.
For humanitarian reasons, the release of PDLs categorized as vulnerable or high-risk, who are not guilty of heinous crimes, is being expedited.
The DOJ and BuCor were already processing executive clemency for sick and elderly inmates, as well as early releases based on GCTA prior to the pandemic.
Previous delays in GCTA releases were caused by a 2019 scandal involving Antonio Sanchez, leading to amended rules and the re-incarceration of some individuals.
The processing of GCTA credits and allowances has been returned to BuCor since December.
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Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra ordered the Bureau of Corrections and the Board of Pardons and Parole to expedite the release of sick and elderly prisoners or grant them executive clemency.
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Human rights group Kapatid urged the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to publicly disclose the number of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) infected with COVID-19.
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The Supreme Court ordered government officials to comment on a petition for the temporary release of low-risk and vulnerable detainees due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is nearing the finalization of a revised manual for granting good conduct time allowances (GCTA) to prisoners.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) is coordinating with the Department of Health (DOH) to start mass COVID-19 testing in prisons after cases were recorded.
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