Prison officials admit videoke joints exist

Prison officials admitted before the Senate yesterday the existence of videoke machines in the facility as part of the rehabilitation program for inmates.

But Bureau of Corrections Director Ricardo Macala and New Bilibid Prison Superintendent Gregorio Agaloos denied there were nightclubs and guest relations officers in the prison compound.

During a hearing of the Senate committees on justice and human rights and public order and illegal drugs chaired by Senators Francis Pangilinan and Robert Barbers, respectively, Macala said they allowed the videoke machines to be brought in to provide entertainment for the prisoners.

"Music is food for the soul," Macala averred. He said such recreation helps minimize riots and infighting among inmates.

However, the use of videoke machines is only allowed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. — the time when prisoners from minimum, medium and maximum security compounds are permitted to go out of their cells. Only those in Death Row are prohibited to join, Macala said.

For his part, Agaloos told the senators all the seven videoke machines were being operated by inmates who remit the collections to the owners of the devices.

Agaloos also denied prominent inmates were being accorded special treatment in the NBP and that he has no knowledge of prisoners being allowed to go out of the facility without securing the required clearance or pass.

But he admitted it was possible that some people at the NBP are letting inmates abuse this privilege in exchange for favors.

Agaloos further said the "kubols" are only utilized for conjugal visits twice a month since there are no private areas for inmates for such activities.

Justice Undersecretary Ramon Liwag assured the senators the matter was being investigated upon orders of Justice Secretary Hernando Perez. – JoseAravilla