Overhaul

EVEN after a series of reshuffling of prison guards and officials, corruption and illegal activities are still rampant inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), as proven by a back-to-back raids conducted by the Justice Department this week.
Authorities discovered more than what they expected. As it turned out, instead of serving as a penitentiary for convicts, NBP appears to be an isolated village of drug lords, robbers, murderers and other criminals housed under lavish hotel-like “kubols.”
High-class jacuzzi, imported sauna, wide-screen TV sets, split-type air-conditioning units, state of the art music equipment, luxury watches and footwear, life-size inflatable sex doll, firearms, cellphones and computers were found inside the cells of the alleged gang leaders within the compound.
Bundles of money amounting to more than P1.4M allegedly procured through illegal drug transactions were also seen in one of the cells. Even with the presence of NBP guards, drug business of prisoners lingered.
“It’s beyond disgusting,” Justice Secretary Leila De Lima said upon seeing the real situation inside the national penitentiary.
What’s even more disgusting is the revelation that some of the equipment entered in the prison, including firearms were donated, and some are registered under politicians.
In the Bureau of Corrections website, its functions include keeping prisoners from committing crimes while in BuCor’s custody; providing inmates basic needs as human being; and developing livelihood programs to assist inmates earn a living and develop their skills while in prison.
Apparently, BuCor forgot its main function, which is to jail accused offenders and criminals, to serve as punishment for their misdeeds and to keep them from committing any more crimes.
Undoubtedly, after shocking revelations brought upon by the DOJ raids, the country’s penal system needs a complete reform.
People involved in the entry of “disgusting” equipment inside the NBP should be punished to serve as a warning for future officials that will take over the management of the prison.
Let there be an iron hand to remove the weeds from the wheat.
(AJPress)