Mandaluyong to expand congested city jail

To address the growing problem of jail congestion, Mandaluyong City Mayor Benjamin "Benhur" Abalos Jr. has ordered the construction of a multi-million extension of the city’s jail to house female inmates and juvenile delinquents.

Abalos led city, police and jail officials yesterday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the new two-story building, located at the back of the police headquarters in Maysilo Compound, intended to accommodate at least 400 inmates.

The young mayor has given the city’s engineering office six months to complete the project.

"This jail extension will be for women and youth offenders. We have to separate them from the other inmates. We want to provide all detainees an environment where they can move comfortably, or at least breathe normally," Abalos said.

The construction of the jail extension came after President Arroyo called on local chief executives to see to it that their jails and rehabilitation centers are not overcrowded.

Abalos noted that the main four-story jail was constructed for 200 inmates but is currently housing some 800 detainees, with at least 80 percent of them facing drug-related cases.

"Nakakaawang makita ang sitwasyon ng mga nakakulong. Alam nating sila ay may pagkakasala sa batas, pero nais kong makita rin sila na nasa mabuting kalagayan," said Abalos.

In yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony, Abalos and city officials also took time out to check the condition of the inmates and distributed gifts to detainees as part of activities lined up for the mayor’s week-long birthday celebration.

Abalos ordered a surprise drug testing on all inmates last week, following the arrest of an 11-year-old boy who attempted to sneak into the facility two plastic sachets of shabu. Five inmates, two of them jail mayors, were found positive for drug use.

Because of the incident, Abalos called on jail officials to observe strict observance and implementation of policies in the facility.

He also requested the Department of the Interior and Local Government to transfer to other detention centers in Metro Manila jail guards who are found remiss in the performance of their duties. – Non Alquitran