Marcos to DOJ: Release more qualified inmates
PBBM backs Alcatraz-like prison
THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has been directed by President Marcos Jr. to release more qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in a bid to decongest the country’s crowded prisons.
This as Mr. Marcos noted that many PDLs are languishing in jail because they cannot afford the services of good lawyers.
“Wala naman silang magaling na abugado. So that’s why we are in favor now to release many of them. ”
“They just needed representation to set them free. So let’s continue with that,” the President said on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting.
At the same time, Marcos supported the plan of the DOJ to establish an Alcatraz-like prison to prevent inmates from doing their criminal operations in streets even while in jail.
“Iyan ‘yung mga ganoon we have to do that para hindi na ka maka-contact. Alam mo, we have to isolate them properly,” Marcos said in a statement.
In its 2022 accomplishment report, the DOJ said it released almost 3,000 PDLs from July to December 2022 as an immediate step to decongest correctional facilities.
The DOJ also fast-tracked the processing of the release of qualified prisoners by digitalizing the systems of the Probation and Parole Administration.
This year, the DOJ is eyeing to decongest prison facilities by transferring the maximum security compound in Muntinlupa City to a dedicated correctional facility in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
The DOJ is also planning to establish separate heinous crime facilities in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
