A Case Study on the Detainees of the Ormoc City Jail - BJMP

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This project study is made possible through the extended support and cooperation of certain people. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to J01 Dindo Hamtig for his active participation in the given-out questionnaire form critical in the data gathering, to the Jail Personnel of the Ormoc City Jail for accommodating any queries/questions related to this case study, and especially to Chief Inspector Joseph Nuez for accepting the application for internship in the said institution. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to the inmates who took part in the interview related to this study. It would have been hardly possible for this study to be accomplished if not for the participation of the inmates. Also, to Mr. Deonico German Jr. for his guidance, ideas, and support in the making of this case study. I would like to express my deep appreciation in his efforts extended in making corrections and validating the content of this study. And lastly, to Him, for the unwavering strength and hope.

Introduction A new era in corrections was born in Elmira, New York, on July, 24 1876, when thirty inmates were transferred from Auburn Prison to Elmira Reformatory. It is the world's first adult reformatory for offenders ranging in age from 16-30 years old and was built as an alternative to the Auburn and Pennsylvania systems. When the Elmira Reformatory opened, it rejected nineteenth-century penology's ideals of silence, obedience, and labor. Elmira's goal would be to reform the convictits methods would be psychological rather than physical. Instead of coercing with the lash, Elmira would encourage with rewards, and mass regimentation would yield to classification and individualized treatment. Instead of fixed sentences to fit the crime, the indeterminate sentence would be adjustable to fit the criminal. The Philippine Government established its own national standards in reviewing its correctional system for prisoners/detainees administered by the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jails Management and Penology (BJMP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government. This correctional system consists of rehabilitation, and organized care and treatment program aimed at the promotion of the dignity of the confined persons in particular and the correctional community in general.

Review of Related Studies Other related studies such that of the Elmira System tackles the different standards of correctional systems. The Elmira system classified and separated various types of prisoners, gave them individualized treatment emphasizing vocational training and industrial employment, used indeterminate sentences, etc. It is also mentioned in other context that the core of this program-classification with gradations of freedom and privilege, along with an emphasis on development of the whole person, physical, intellectual and spiritual remains the basis of modern corrections. This research project was conceptualized in order to promote public awareness about the situation of the detainees in the Ormoc City Jail. This was also inspired during the authors internship program at the Ormoc City Jail where the detainees relevant information and situation were available for observation. Furthermore, this case study on the detainees of the Ormoc City Jail was founded mainly to identify the situation of the detainees and the correctional institution in general. It also aims to dig into details what are the different hindrances and difficulties faced by the detainees while in detention. The various rehabilitation programs of the Ormoc City Jail, which cover education services, spiritual development, livelihood opportunity, enhancement and other welfare services inclusive of health and medical provisions, is also tackled in this study. And since one of the purposes of this research study is to educate the reader on the situation of the Ormoc City Jail detainees and the correctional institution in general, this may be beneficial to the agency when the community and the Local Government Unit might extend generous assistance in enhancing the well-being of the inmates/detainees and facilities of the Ormoc City Jail.

Objectives of the Study Generally, this study is conducted to identify the condition of the Ormoc City Jail, specifically the inmates/detainees confined in it. In specific, the study aims to achieve the following objectives: 1. Identify the condition of the Ormoc City Jail inmates/detainees and the institution in terms of provision of basic needs, cell holding capacity, facilities, lighting and ventilation, rehabilitation programs, etc. 2. Generate and analyze the below quantitative data about the inmates/detainees of the Ormoc City Jail: a. Population of inmates/detainees b. The list of criminal cases of the inmates and the percentage of inmates for each criminal case c. Minimum and Maximum years rendered in detention by inmates. 3. Identify the different rehabilitation programs implemented by the Ormoc City Jail to aid in the human development of the inmates/detainees. 4. Cite sample criminal cases and the length of time the detainee(s) has been detained for that cited case.

Methodology To be able to achieve the enlisted set of objectives, the authors method of data gathering includes interviews to the detainees and Jail Officers. Keen observation with the Ormoc City Jails surrounding is also a prime factor in obtaining the desired information related to this study, specifically the condition of the facilities inside the jail. Extensive observation of the environment inside the jail is also taken into account, as well as the different activities of the inmates, the rules and regulations inside the camp and how the inmates interact within. A questionnaire was also provided to gather relevant information about the statistics of the inmates population, criminal cases at hand, etc. Respondents to the said questionnaire are limited only to Jail Officers as the required data is to be provided by them. Lastly, the author made use of the previously published reports, news and articles about the Ormoc City Jail for further reference.

Discussion The writer of this study mainly focuses to analyze and discuss the enumerated important points for discussion: 1. The condition of the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail itself 2. The statistical data relating to the inmates 3. The different rehabilitation programs implemented by the Ormoc City Jail 4. The major problems faced by the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail itself

The condition of the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail Finding the issue important, the writer has gathered relevant information concerning the conditions of the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail itself. According to a certain article, Prison conditions were rudimentary and sometimes harsh. Jails and prisons were often overcrowded, lacked basic infrastructure, and in some penitentiaries, prisoners are provided with inadequate nutrition and medical attention. The Ormoc City Jail is located in barangay Alta Vista, two kilometers from the city of Ormoc. The 60-capacity detention center houses more or less 240 inmates some of which are hold as pretrial detainees, those awaiting final judgment, and convicts serving sentences of three years or less. The facilities includes kitchen, office for Jail Personnel, conjugal visitation rooms, basketball court, billiard hall, garden, Comfort Rooms and visitors area. There are six (6)

holding cells for the male inmates and one (1) holding cell for females. With these limited number of cells for inmates, congestion or overcrowding tops the list of the City Jails major problem. Each holding cell for males holds up to 40 inmates making the area very difficult for them. Some of the inmates dont even have sleeping bunks they just sleep on the floors while others just ties clothes/fabrics to bars for them to sleep on. Although the food is provided to the inmates, such provisions are inadequate for normal human daily requirements. Other problems identified by the inmates/detainees relating to facilities were as follows: inadequate hygiene and sanitation installations, absence of sanitary inspectors, inadequate beds/beddings/mosquito nets, absence of adequate isolation rooms for communicable diseases and no medical facility. Although there are occasional Medical and Dental Missions provided by the different sectors of the city to render medical examinations to prisoners/ detainees, this has not provided them with the daily sanitation needs they require. Another problem faced by most detainees is the delays in the judicial hearing of their criminal cases. Schedules are being made for the judicial sessions but the other party might not be able to appear over the court, thus postponing yet another opportunity for a judicial trial. This postponement of trial often contributes to the detainees prolonged stay in the Ormoc City Jail and the next schedule is often months away. The number of detainees awaiting trials also contributes to the slow processing of their judicial cases. Although the regional trial courts are doing their best to accommodate and fasten the judgment of pending cases, the large volume of cases is overwhelming the whole judicial process resulting to delays. Even simple cases such as theft have rendered the detainee a longer stay in the detention camp and the distance from their family or love ones is a major source of anxiety and concern. What also worries them is the place to go after theyre released. Some were already old, some have fear for the rejections of their families and relatives, and no work to support them or nobody would accept them for employment because theyre ex-convict.

The statistical data relating to the inmates To gather the quantitative information relating to the inmates/detainees of the Ormoc City Jail, a questionnaire is provided to Jail Officer Dindo Hamtig. Mainly, the objective of the said questionnaire is to obtain the population count of the inmates, the relevant criminal cases, rehabilitation programs and major problems being encountered both by the inmates and the City Jail. From the gathered data, the Ormoc City Jail inmates population consists of 245 inmates in total, 8 of which are females and 16 are elders. The data also shows that a high percentage of the criminal cases are accounted to drug-related crimes with a count of 134 cases. This is followed by Murder with 43 cases. Third in the list is Theft with 38 cases, followed by Rape with 37, then Robbery and Homicide although the total crime volume may not tally with the actual jail population as there are inmates who were charged with more than one crime. According to Jail Warden Nuez, in the real scenario, drug-users usually commit rape when influenced by illegal substance and may rob to support their vices. But when these would-be criminals are cornered, they resort to killing. People who are drug influenced have strong desire to commit crimes. He also added that roughly estimated, 70 to 80 percent of crimes committed can be accounted as drug related.

The different rehabilitation programs implemented by the Ormoc City Jail Another aspect of the questionnaire also tackles the various rehabilitation programs implemented by the Ormoc City Jail to aid in the promotion of human development of the inmates/detainees. The major rehabilitation program

adapted by the Ormoc City Jail is the Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TC) as encouraged by the Regional Office. It is a Value Reformation activity, to be attended by the inmates, scheduled in different cell daily. This activity is made to boost the moral values of the inmates through enlightenment of the positive side of life, and reminding them the importance of religious affiliations. Under the TC, jail occupants are no longer called inmates but community residents. They also learned to address each other as kapatid instead of kakosa. The residents presented a program before the visitors that included a comedy skit, news reporting, Bible-reading and testimonies. The TCP brought about a positive outlook among the community residents, making them more cooperative as they look forward to becoming productive and law-abiding citizens upon their release. Other rehabilitation programs/activities implemented by the Ormoc City Jail are education services, spiritual development, sports recreation, gardening, livelihood opportunity, enhancement and other welfare services inclusive of health and medical provisions. There is also a Holy Mass is conducted last Sunday of the month. every

The major problems faced by the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail itself One of the major problems of the inmates/detainees and of the Ormoc City Jail in general is the overcrowding of cells and inadequate sleeping paraphernalia. And as communication is important to the Jail Officers inside the City Jail, they are also having difficulties since two-way radios are not available. Also, the Ormoc City Jail is not installed with a CCTV System which would have been of great advantage if the City Jail is equipped with one.

Conclusion With the information being presented, it is a fact that the development of the well-being of the inmates is the main endeavor of the Ormoc City Jail. Various rehabilitation programs are implemented to promote the wellness of its inmates, one of which is the Therapeutic Community program (TC). The inmates are also exposed to different programs aimed to develop them socially, spiritually and morally. Amidst these, the inmates and the Ormoc City Jail in general are also faced with concerns such as overcrowding, inadequate facilities, and slow progress of judicial cases.

Recommendation This study focuses on the enhancement of the condition of the Ormoc City Jail in general as well as the inmates welfare in terms of faster and more efficient process in hearing their judicial cases. It also important to take note that the Ormoc City Jail needs better equipment such as CCTV System and effective tools of communication like two-way radio. The institutions facilities also need improvement in terms of holding cell capacity, medical clinic and others for the enhancement of the inmates not just physically but in all aspect of their human development.