Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: The Manila Times 2000
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Jonathan Vicente and Eric Estrada
Note: While not overtly related to drug policy, Editor believes connection 
may be deduced

MANILA JAIL OVERCROWDING BLAMED FOR SICK INMATES

Officials of the Manila City Jail (MCJ) yesterday sought the assistance of 
the health and interior departments to solve the overcrowding at the MCJ, 
one of the causes of the outbreak of skin diseases.

Senior Supt. Norvel Mingoa, MCJ warden, said he personally asked the 
assistance of the Department of Health to provide medicines for inmates 
suffering from chicken pox, measles, asthma and tuberculosis.

Mingo blamed overcrowding as one of the causes of the skin problems 
afflicting the prisoners.

He said the MCJ population has tripled in the last two years.

According to Mingo, the MCJa TMs infirmary section could no longer accept 
sick inmates because of the lack of medical equipment.

Officials fear of another outbreak of diseases when the rainy season begins 
in June.

Jail officials said the MCJ can only hold a maximum of 1,000 inmates, but 
its population at present is 3,000.

Undersecretary Wencelito Andanar, DILG officer for peace and order, said 
the DILG and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) had actually 
built a new jail facility in Bicutan, Taguig to transfer some inmates from 
the MCJ.

Andanar said the residents of Bicutan, however, filed a petition in court 
to stop the planned transfer of inmates.

JFred Sanchez, DILG action officer for jail matters, said another measure 
the DILG is doing is to speed up the transfer of convicted criminals to the 
Bureau .of Corrections and remove inmates who already served the maximum 
number of jail sentence at the MCJ.
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MAP posted-by: Beth