Modern jail, police HQ to rise in Las Piñas

The city of Las Piñas will soon have a two-storey modern jailhouse to provide humane conditions for inmates and decongest present prison cells due to the increasing number of detainees.

This was announced by Mayor Imelda Aguilar before the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officers and detainees during her recent visit to the jail where she supervised the regular free haircut program for inmates.

Aguilar said the two-storey building will also house the police headquarters at the ground floor and separate prison cells for women, youth and child offenders on the second floor, while the roof deck will serve as a recreaton and physical fitness area for inmates.

The site is located on a 800 square-meter lot vacated by the Land Transportation Office-Las Piñas, which is now located at Pelayo Compound along Alabang-Zapote Road in Barangay Talon Dos.

Citing the importance of health conditions and hygiene, the mayor said that unlike existing jails where cells are cramped and hot, theirs would be more spacious and complete with better facilities.

"These people (inmates) may have been involved in crimes, but many of them still have pending cases in court and are not yet proven guilty. So whether guilty or not they are still human beings and are entitled to humane treatment behind bars," Aguilar stressed.

She cited in particular the cases of young offenders or juvenile delinquents, whom she said should not be put together with the adult inmates.

However, due to the lack of facilities, many of them languish in poor prison conditions.

BJMP records show there are 13 youth detainees and 80 female inmates now detained at the Las Piñas city jail.

The mayor directed the city DSWD officer to conduct a study on their cases and coordinate with the local judiciary in addressing the problem involving juvenile offenders.

The construction of the jail is expected to be completed by May 2006.