MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) will allow in-person visits for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started over two years ago, an official said yesterday.
The resumption of face-to-face visitations for inmates will start next week “as an early Christmas gift” to them and their families, BJMP chief Allan Iral said.
Only jail facilities that have at least 85 percent vaccination rate for personnel and inmates may implement contact visitation.
Data showed there are 129,766 inmates – otherwise known as persons deprived of liberty or PDL – in 477 facilities under the BJMP’s jurisdiction, with 126,440 inmates or 97.44 percent having received COVID-19 vaccines and 81.79 percent getting a booster shot.
As the facilities are still facing high congestion rates, only 25 percent of the total inmate population are allowed to avail of the in-person visitation per day.
Only immediate family members who are fully vaccinated will be allowed to avail of the contact visitation once their scheduled visit has been approved.
Family members may also present proof that they tested negative for COVID-19 if they are unvaccinated.
The Approved Visitor’s List can be found in the National Monitoring System and PDL Single Carpeta System of the BJMP.
Visitation hours are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays while on weekends the hours are from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The BJMP said that other modes of visitation, such as the e-dalaw program, are still available to PDLs and their loved ones.
BJMP facilities in Metro Manila conducted dry runs earlier this week to ensure the proper implementation of procedures and protocols once in-person visitation is in full swing.
BJMP-National Capital Region director Efren Nemeño said all 39 jails in the NCR are ready for the resumption of face-to-face visitations.