Nat’l decongestion summit all set

There are 179 persons deprived of liberty for every 100,000 Filipinos, according to available data from the Justice Sector Coordinating Council that reveals the sad state of inmates in the country.

The number was derived from a survey conducted as of 30 December 2021, it was learned.

This significant figure has resulted in overcrowded prison facilities in the Philippines, prompting the JSCC to organize a two-day National Jail Decongestion Summit slated next month.

The summit aims to bring together key stakeholders and experts, both domestic and international, to formulate comprehensive strategies addressing the overcrowding issue in correctional facilities.

The summit is supported by the European Union's Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice II (GOJUST II) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the summit receives funding from the Australian Government and the European Union.

Given the alarming 386 percent rate of overcrowding in the criminal justice system and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology's detention facilities experiencing a 70 percent overcrowding, the summit will serve as a crucial platform for collaborative discussions, innovative idea exchange, and exploration of evidence-based practices.