BJMP-Zamboanga vows protection of rights, dignity of PDLS
THE leadership of Zamboanga City Jail (ZCJ) has recalibrated its management strategy to improve service delivery in protecting the rights and dignity of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) under its care.
According to warden Supt. Xavier Solda, protection of rights and dignity of the jailbirds is the centerpiece of reforms in the facility as he redirected the programs of his unit towards active community engagement and collaboration with other government agencies in line with the BJMP Strategy Management JAIL PLAN 2040.
“We want to ensure that we have a working system in place that protects the rights of PDL and respect their dignity as human beings,” he said.
This is also the reason Solda pointed out that efforts have been doubled on paralegal support services to decongest the facility and in creating livelihood opportunities for their wards.
Recently, ZCJ launched three additional livelihood programs for PDL while it remains focused on the provision of quality health care through the support of the city’s health office and medical center.
The aggressive paralegal efforts to decongest the jail has resulted to a 105 point percentage reduction from 1,101% to 996% in the last three months in coordination with the courts.
“We have a lot of things to do to improve the living conditions of PDL in our unit and we need every support to help them,” Solda stressed.
On the other hand, Solda recognized the huge support of the local government of Zamboanga through Mayor John Felipe who earmarked a budget to fence the New Zamboanga City Jail which is set to be a model facility in the BJMP once completed.
Meanwhile, the Acting Chief of the BJMP, Chief Supt. Ruel Rivera called for sustained efforts on PDL welfare and development to curb the reoffending rate in jails.
He also pushed for employable skills training and education programs among PDLs to prepare them for their eventual release.
“Patuloy po tayong magsasagawa ng mga angkop na programa na direktang tutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating mga PDL upang ganap natin silang maihanda sa kanilang paglaya,” Rivera said.
