Summit seeks end to jail congestion
To address the issue of chronic congestion plaguing the country's jail facilities and detention centers, the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) will hold the National Jail Decongestion Summit on December 6 and 7, 2023 at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.
The JSCC is composed of the Supreme Court (SC), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
Discussions regarding congestion in jail and detention facilities in the county will be conducted during the summit that will bring together key stakeholders, experts, and justice sector actors from across the nation, along with international partners.
Also, the summit is expected to devise comprehensive strategies that prioritize sustainable solutions for the reduction of inmate populations in correctional facilities.
Estimated congestion growth rate in correctional facilities is at 386%, or an overcrowding of 70% of the detention facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).
According to the JSCC, the event aims to provide an essential platform for collaborative discussion, innovative idea sharing, and the exploration of evidence-based practices.
Addressing the root causes of overpopulation and implementing effective measures to alleviate the strain on correctional systems is among the primary objectives of the summit that will host panel discussions, workshops, and presentations, offering a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with the decongestion efforts.
Notable speakers and participants at the summit will include the distinguished principals of the JSCC, such as Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Benjamin D. Abalos, Jr.
Key officials will be joined by legal experts, advocacy groups, and representatives from relevant government agencies who will contribute their insights and expertise towards the development of sustainable and equitable solutions.
In connection with the Summit and in observance of this year's 28th National Correctional Consciousness Week, Chief Justice Gesmundo visited Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) at
