DOJ needs one more week to decide on releasing low-risk prisoners

The Department of Justice (DOJ) needs at least one more week to study proposals for releasing low-risk prisoners due to the coronavirus threat.

Several groups have called for the temporary release of vulnerable inmates, including those with existing illnesses or advanced age.

BuCor spokesperson Gabriel Chaglag assured that processes for prisoner releases continue despite the enhanced community quarantine.

The DOJ and BuCor were already processing executive clemency for sick and elderly convicts before the pandemic.

As of October 2019, New Bilibid Prison had a congestion rate of 337%, with 30,426 inmates when capacity is only 6,435.