CPDRC christmas ‘treat’: Inmates’ families taste life in jail

CEBU, Philippines - An estimated 5,000 family members got a taste of life inside the jail after they joined their loved ones incarcerated at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center for four days as a privilege given by management.

The four-day visiting period, which started last December 24, lasted until yesterday afternoon, with the families being allowed to stay overnight in the facility on December 24 and 25.

CPDRC Consultant on Jail Matters Marco Toral said no untoward incidents were reported during the four-day period, where several activities were staged to entertain the inmates and their families.

The presentations included a “drama” participated in by some of the inmates staged during the first day.

The drama presentation depicted life behind bars, which drew praises from the audience. It was then followed by a “disco.”

Apart from this, the inmates and their families also feasted on 75 roasted pigs on Christmas Eve bought with the use of money saved from the inmates food ration since September.

On the second day, the visitors and the inmates were entertained by a pageant and a boxing match.

On Saturday and yesterday, Sunday, regular visiting hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) were restored.

Another overnight stay for the inmate’s families is set on December 31 until January 1 the next year for the celebration of New Year.

Toral said the security force at the jail was augmented with 25 more security personnel from the Capitol, which owned the facility. The same augmentation will be implemented for New Year.

It has been a practice in the provincial jail to allow family members to be with the inmates during Christmas and New Year. Last Valentine’s Day, they were allowed for the first time to stay overnight at the penitentiary.

The CPDRC, known worldwide for its dancing inmates, houses more than 2,000 inmates, way beyond its 1,400 capacity.  (FREEMAN)