Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA --  The Commission on Audit (COA) has revealed that 69% of jail facilities in the Philippines are congested, with conditions beyond acceptable sanitation and habitat standards.In its 2024 audit report, COA said 36 of the country’s 484 jail facilities are overcrowded, resulting in “unhealthy living conditions” for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).It added that congestion rates in the facilities range from 1 percent to 2,141 percent, which fails to meet the benchmarks set by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) and the United Nations.The BJMP is mandated under Republic Act No. 6975 to maintain secure and sanitary facilities that safeguard inmates and support their well-being.Meanwhile, UN guidelines state that all prisons must uphold healthy living conditions for inmates “due regard being paid to climatic conditions and particularly to cubic content of air, minimum floor space, lightning hearing and ventilation.”State auditors reported that BJMP housed more than 113,000 PDLs, which exceeds the ideal capacity of 50,085 inmates, based on the United Nations standard of 4.7 square meters of space per person.“Congestion in jails lead not only to health and sanitation problems but also increases gang affiliation of inmates. To ensure survival, inmates often join gangs or &quot;pangkat&quot; where they find protection, a support network and most important, access to material benefits that are scarce in highly congested facilities,” the report read.The highest overcrowding rates were recorded at Biñan City Jail – Male Dormitory at 2,141 percent and Muntinlupa City Jail – Male Dormitory at 2,029 percent.In response, BJMP said it is seeking support from local government units to acquire appropriately sized lots for new jail facilities.The agency has also requested funding from the Department of Budget and Management to construct additional accommodation buildings.Moreover, the BJMP said it is following a Supreme Court directive to release detainees under the plea bargaining framework for small-quantity illegal drug cases, allowing those caught with minimal amounts to plead guilty in exchange for reduced jail time and lower fines.

The Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that 69% of jail facilities in the Philippines are congested, with conditions beyond acceptable sanitation and habitat standards.

The Commission on Audit (COA) revealed that 69% of jail facilities in the Philippines are congested, with conditions beyond acceptable sanitation and habitat standards.

COA: 69% of PH jails congested, conditions beyond acceptable standards

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COA: 69% of PH jails congested, conditions beyond acceptable standards

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 11, 2025 05:22 PM PHT

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COA

BJMP

Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

DILG

jail congestion

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