Separate facility for convicts of heinous crimes sought
MANILA, Philippines — Senate panels have recommended creating a separate “state-of-the-art” facility for convicts of high level heinous crimes.
The Senate Committees on Justice and Human Rights, Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, and Finance filed Senate Bill No. 1055 that proposes the establishment of a separate facility for prisoners of heinous crimes.
The Justice secretary will determine the location of the maximum penal facility, which will be built in a secured and isolated place to ensure that there will be no unwarranted contact from outside the penal institution.
Three maximum penal institutions will be built in Luzon, then Visayas and Mindanao, the bill stated.
Surveillance cameras, latest information and security system capable of 24/7 monitoring of prisoners, and with enhanced and extensive security features on locks, doors and its perimeters will also be installed in the facilities.
Inmates will be transferred to the facilities within 30 days from the completion of the penal institution.
The prison administration will conduct a regular internal inspection, while the Department of Justice will conduct an external inspection on a regular basis.
The Bureau of Corrections is a line agency of the DOJ.
Budget for the building of the facility will be taken from the budget of DOJ, according to the proposed measure.
Senate inquiry into GCTA mess
The Senate committees have been conducting legislative inquiries into the Good Conduct and Time Allowance law and the possible early release of rapist-murderer Antonio Sanchez for weeks now.
The inquiry revealed several corruption schemes inside the New Bilibid Prison.
The Senate is set to resume its inquiry into the GCTA controversy on Thursday. — Kristine Joy Patag
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