BJMP-Catbalogan highlights safety in 2020 National Correctional Consciousness Week

CATBALOGAN CITY, Oct. 27 (PIA) -- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in this city has focused on promoting safety against COVID-19, for this year’s celebration of the National Correctional Consciousness Week (NACOCOW).

During the October 21 Huruhimangraw ha PIA radio program, Jail Inspector Benedicto Ramirez Jr. of the BJMP - Catbalogan City said they have been preparing for the activities relative to the celebration of NACOCOW.

“The celebration primarily aims to raise the level of awareness of the community on the plight of our Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs),” the Warden shared.

“It is also a way to remind everyone that we have a social responsibility towards PDLs. One of the goals of NACOCOW is to erase the stigma towards PDLs, thereby promoting acceptance in preparation for their reintegration to the community, and likewise remind them that they are innocent until proven guilty, ” JInsp. Ramirez added.

This year however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bureau has an intensified campaign to keep the jail facilities safe as visitors are still not allowed inside the premises.

Activities have been identified wherein the inmates may be able to showcase their talents and at the same time uplift their morale, such as Basketball Competition, Chess Competition, Singing Contest, and Laro ng Lahi, among others.

“We ask for everybody’s understanding, especially the relatives of our PDLs. There is a strict implementation of the ‘No Visitor’ Policy to protect both the inmates and the BJMP Personnel," Ramirez said.

Ramirez also disclosed that the office has launched the E-Dalaw and Paduhol Program. For E-Dalaw, the inmates may talk to their loved ones through phone and video calls to ease their longing. This starts at 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Mondays to Sundays.

“Prior to the pandemic, jail visits are only allowed from Mondays to Fridays. But since personal visits are not allowed, we extended the E-Dalaw, to include weekends,” the warden said.

The Paduhol on the other hand, allows the relatives of the inmates to send some food, medicines and basic necessities to the latter, subject to the implementation of health protocols.

The Jail Inspector has reminded the relatives to refrain from sending illegal or nuisance contrabands such as cigarettes, stressing that the city has also an ordinance that prohibits the sneaking of these contrabands into jail facilities.

Ramirez also thanked the Local Government Unit, National Government Agencies, Non-Government Organizations and the St. Bartholomew Church for the continuous support they have given to the bureau and the inmates.

Pursuant to proclamation No. 551, s. 1995, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology celebrates the last week of October as the National Correctional Consciousness Week. This year’s celebration banners the theme, “Seguridad ay Paigtingin, Panalitihing Ligtas sa COVID-19.” (GMT/PIA-Samar)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1057345