Zambo jail, UNODC train PDLs to compute GCTA
PERSONS deprived of liberty (PDLs) of the Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory (ZCJMD) will soon be helping paralegals in the computation of their respective Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).
According to the warden, Supt. Xavier Solda, the ZCJMD is teaming up with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in training the detainees how to compute their own time allowance.
GCTA is a privilege that allows prisoners to have their jail or prison sentence reduced for good behavior.
It is also a reward for prisoners who demonstrate exemplary behavior such as participating in rehabilitation programs, taking part in authorized work activities, completing exemplary deeds, and obeying prison rules and regulations.
BJMP chief Director Ruel Rivera reiterated his support to ensure the timely implementation of granting GCTA among qualified PDLs following the new Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 10592. or the GCTA Law.
He also calls for active collaboration with concerned government agencies to enhance justice delivery in jail units.
The ZCJMD and UNODC partnership is now in the works for the piloting of an enhanced computer-based application designed to compute each PDL’s GCTA.
A series of workshops, consultations and systems’ validation on the use of the GCTA calculator have been rolled out for the whole month of December under the guidance of UNODC National Program officer Dr. Ian Niccolo Tobia and in partnership with ZCJMD Paralegal and PDL Records Unit with 12 paralegal and PDL records personnel, along with 23 PDLs.
Solda said that the enhanced GCTA calculator is a cost-effective verification tool for paralegal officers that features a user-friendly interface, integrating provisions for additional time allowances, including Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM) and Special Time Allowance for Loyalty (STAL) for PDL.
It also features deductions arising from violations of jail rules and regulations to reinforce the importance of good behavior and adherence to the policies of the unit, aligning with the rehabilitative goals while ultimately aiming to decongest the heavily congested facility.
Solda extended his gratitude to the UNODC for providing the technical know-how of the improved system, emphasizing the value of the tool in the efficient delivery of paralegal services to PDL.
“The management is keen toward promoting transparency and efficiency in the GCTA computations by empowering PDL to independently compute their earned time allowance as an additional oversight mechanism to ensure accuracy of computation and ensure the prevention of overstaying in jail,” he stressed.
The jail warden pointed out that allowing PDLs to learn how their GCTA are being computed provides a rehabilitative mindset to engage in activities such as education, skills training, and mentoring, which qualify for additional time allowances.
Meanwhile, ZCJMD Paralegal Unit chief Senior Jail Officer 4 Michael Badeo emphasized the importance of the tool, particularly during their one-on-one paralegal consultations.
“The calculator facilitates a clearer understanding of the PDL detention status and the legal remedies available to potentially expedite their release,” he said.
Since 2023, the ZCJMD, under the leadership of Solda and in partnership with the members of the Zamboanga City Justice Zone, facilitated the release of 1,993 under the Justice Bilis Zamboanga, a jail decongestion program of the unit.
