Powerpoint presentation fo research paper

D. Scope and Delimitations

The inadequacy of local city jails in the Philippines, specifically penitentiaries in Metro Manila, is one of the significant flaws in the penitentiary system in the Philippines. The reason behind this study is to spread awareness to citizens that could improve the situation of Philippine Jails. The researchers will gather information by conducting surveys and interviews specifically in non-government organizations; furthermore, the group will coordinate to interview persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and experts about the factors and effects of living inside a prison. Because of the safety measures for the researchers, the study will be conducted in Pasig City, specifically in the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation, Inc. (HLAF), and recognize the volunteers’ experiences and knowledge in penitentiaries. This study will be conducted from November 2019 to January 2020. In partnership with HLAF, the researchers may schedule an appointment in conducting their research in Tagaytay City Jail sometime in January 2020. The results from the previously mentioned data gathering that could occur in Tagaytay City Jail and that of HLAF is only limited to the effects of living conditions on the PDL’s physical and mental well-being, specifically, their rights to medical and health services, rehabilitation programs, visitation and mail services, and free legal services and materials which pose threats to their safety, health, and lifestyle. Instead of focusing on the statistics and facts given by the personnel in accordance with the status of living in penitentiaries, the research will focus on the perception of the PDLs inside the prison, whether they receive proper treatment or not.

This research study will not discuss nor further expound on the allocated budget for prisons, government corruption, drugs, and the PDL’s biography. This paper will not collect data outside Metro Manila. Some topics that may be discussed when the research team interviews the head volunteer from HLAF may not be expounded on in this paper because of confidentiality reasons. This is because of safety precautions.

E. Definition of Terms:

· Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) - An agency responsible for supervising and controlling the administrators of all types of jails in the Philippines

· Living Conditions - The circumstances or items needed for a person to survive

· Equipment/Facilities - Items and places provided for a particular purpose

· Physical Wellbeing - The state of a person’s ability to perform tasks

· Medical and Health Services - Services such as but not limited to (examples of services) that are provided to ensure the health of one’s person

· Rehabilitation Programs - A course of treatment to restore the morality and physical conditions of PDLs

· Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) - A legal term used for inmates

· Inmates - People who are kept in prisons

· Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) - A non-government and non-profit organization that volunteers to improve the situations within the jails of the Philippines

CHAPTER II

Review of Related Literature

This study discusses overcrowding, physical and mental health, health risks in penitentiaries, and inmate leaders. It includes the effects it has on prisoners and the reality that inmates have to face when living in penitentiaries. The following articles provide a brief discussion of the situations inside jails from different countries.

A. Overcrowding

The study was written by Craig Haney entitled “The Wages of Prison Overcrowding: Harmful Psychological Consequences and Dysfunctional Correctional Reactions,” which explains how overcrowding physically drains the detainee and at the same time, heightens the level of cognitive strain the prisoner may be feeling and induces stress. Haney also introduced the concept of “double ceiling,” which is what prisons do to accommodate new detainees when there is no available cell for them. They transfer a current inmate into a cell that is made for a single person. This concept shows how it violates fundamental standards of decent housing, health, and institutional security.

An example of a penitentiary that follows and goes above the basic standards is that of the Prison de Champ-Dollon in Geneva, Switzerland. The establishment was previously known for being overcrowded, but since its renovation, the rooms are more than enough for the detainees. The newly refurbished residences in Champ-Dollon boasts of spacious triple-occupancy cells that include an attached bathroom. There are available facilities such as food courts and gyms, which allow the inmates to feel like they are living in the free world. These conveniences have produced promising results and have helped rehabilitate the inmates. These developments included harmony among the detainees, and their daily routine became more productive and convenient for the inmates. The before mentioned Prison de Champ-Dollon overcame the issue of overcrowding. The number of regular beds increased from 380 to 400 which solved the lack of beds. The prisoners were able to transfer and have their own personal space. Another issue that was solved was the issue of the lack of facilities for inmates with psychiatric problems. There were 92 inmates who were suffering from psychiatric problems and whose problems were not being addressed (Shruti). The penitentiary was able to expand and provide the inmates with 150 cells, specially made for those with psychiatric problems.

The paper examines the effects of overpopulation in cells on the inmates’ physical and well being. It is known to be the main cause of ill health and misconduct among the detainees (Gaes). Due to the level of stress that they are under, they can respond in a negative way by reacting to physical assaults among prisoners. Not only do these inmates harm their fellow detainees, but the personnels in charge, guards on duty, and themselves as well. Since over congestion is a problem, the officers in charge are not capable of isolating those who deviate from the rules and regulations because there is nowhere to confine them in. This builds up more anger and divergence among the inmates who only frustrates and mentally drains both the detainees and the person in charge.

The presented review of related literature, discusses the causes and effects of overcrowding. It explains how not only does it harm the detainees experiencing over congestion, but everyone in the said community as well. It also explores the effect overcrowding has on the mental health of the inmate and how it affects his or her performance in being able to complete mandatory tasks set for their daily routine in their respective penitentiaries. It also mentions how overcrowding can be linked to certain diseases and how the penitentiary deals with circumstances like such. The study was also able to touch on how officers in charge respond to the violence or deviation that an inmate presents. This is relevant to the present study because it discusses the situation in a certain penitentiary that experienced the same problems that the jails in Metro Manila have experienced.

B. Physical and Mental Health

The book entitled “ Prisons and Health,” published by the World Health Organization, mentions the development of health risks of inmates. The objectives of this study are to organize an improvement of the health care in the fields of (1) human rights and medical ethics, and (2) non-communicable diseases

(1) Human Rights and Medical Ethics

There are two reasons as to why healthcare is essential to prisoners. One is that the overcrowding population of detainees may cause a life-threatening situation to the other inmates who may be contaminated by certain viruses or diseases. Another is that prison healthcare reduces health inequalities. Since the majority of the detainees are impoverished, their entrance to jails may be their first time to be provided with proper healthcare. (World Health Organization, 2. )

An example of a prison that executes appropriate standards of medical healthcare allocated for the detainees is in Europe. A system in Europe was implemented in which some members of the WHO health in Prison Project are also part of the Council in Europe. On January 11, 2006, they formulated a new set of prison rules to aid in healthcare in prisons. Every prison must be required to have at least one medical practitioner and have other personnel with medical experiences. Moreover, the staff who are responsible for prison health must also be accountable for the food, water, hygiene, sanitation, clothing, and more. The European Prison Rules also require special treatment for the detainees who are mentally ill. Because of the change in the system, prisoners currently need proper healthcare, especially to the ones which have longer sentences in jails that could possibly die in old age. Furthermore, the rationale for having the change in the European Prison Rules is for proper and humane treatment for the inmates. (World Health Organization, 9.)

In 2013, according to the World Health Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), inmates must share the same right to health care access as to other citizens. The health care services for the prisoners must be provided for the detainees and must not be implicated in the punishment of the prisoners.

(2) Noncommunicable diseases

A non-communicable disease, also known as chronic illness is a disease that does not transmit from one individual to another. It is a mixture of genetics, physiological, environmental, and cultural factors. An example could be high blood pressure, heart diseases, obesity, etc. (World Health Organization)

A number of detainees are experiencing physical and mental health issues in penitentiaries. Certain studies have concluded that inmates have higher chances of undergoing poorer mental health than regular people in the community. (World Health Organization, 88.)

In 2006, another study by Prisons and Health published by the World Health Organization talked about the mental well-being of inmates. A study in which five jails in the United Kingdom interviewed 100 prisoners by consulting them with their mental health problems. The PDLs involved men, women, and juveniles. Similar results to men, women, and the juvenile had shown that some had severe and moderate mental health issues. Many of them had common mental problems such as having a history of unemployment, poor education, substance misuse, poor life and social skills, poor general health, past life trauma, and poor access to stable housing. Another problem that impacted the mental health conditions of inmates in jails is overcrowding, various forms of violence, lack of privacy, isolation from social networks, insecurity about social aspects, and inadequate health services. The following solutions were then resolved with the following: talking to a counselor, preparing for their release, something meaningful to do, helping in a crisis, doing therapy and medication, and making advocacy. The following results had shown that many inmates formed good relationships with their counselors, the progress of caring more, aware of the side effects of their medication, concerned about their issues, and accepting of being in therapy.

Another study entitled Prevalence of Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases Amongst Female Prisoners of Pakistan talks about the risk factors of noncommunicable diseases regarding the physical well-being of inmates, which were surveyed in four jails in Pakistan. The study was conducted by interviewing female inmates regarding their BMI and their health issues due to the use of tobacco, fruit intake, and oil consumption. The reason behind these health issues are one, the cultural setting of Pakistan is the overuse of Paan, a composition of betel leaf with areca nut often used for tobacco. Another is that the penitentiaries in Pakistan have limited menus to nutritional meals, specifically the availability of fruits, and lastly, because some of the jails in Pakistan do not meet the dietary standards, sedentary lifestyle, and family history of food intake are common in the country. The results had shown that 14.5% Pakistani girls have a higher percentage of tobacco intake than female prisoners in the United States and India; furthermore, out of 269 female inmates, 190 women do not eat fruits every week, resulting in a higher percentage of noncommunicable diseases. Lastly, due to the overconsumption of oil in jails, the results had shown that only 125 individuals have normal BMI while the rest are found to be either obese or overweight. (Mukhtar, Salina.)

This related literature may help improve the researchers’ study in terms of knowing more knowledge and information regarding the problems occurring in Metro Manila jails. Because overcrowding population is one of the main problems in penitentiaries, certain life-threatening diseases can occur to one another. A current study in Europe can somehow be implemented in the Philippines in order to build a better quality for proper health care and be provided with more personnel with medical experiences. Another significant factor that can help this study is to give importance to the mental wellness of each inmate in order for them to improve their mental state.

Moreover, because Pakistan has a higher risk of experiencing noncommunicable diseases due to the overuse of tobacco, less fruit intake, and overconsumption of oil, a solution that can help the detainees receive proper health care can be in the form of promoting health advocacies. This process can be achieved by the help of national and local levels to gain support in providing healthcare.

C. Health Risks in Penitentiaries

Another research paper entitled “Health Conditions and Prisoners: A Review of Research and Emerging Areas of Inquiry” is written and studied by four researchers; James W. Marquart, Dorothy E. Merianos, Jaimie L. Hebert from Sam Houston State University, and Leo Carroll from the University of Rhode Island. The research paper describes the current situation in almost all prisons in different countries and the problems and risks that the inmates might face in the future. The management of the prison is one of the main issues that has not been addressed yet. This research paper believes that most inmates can bring a constellation of health risks and hazards to the prison. Due to this problem, illnesses and diseases can quickly spread throughout the prisoner population, and the dirty environment of the prison would add to the problem.

The data was produced by analyzing inmates by interviewing them and segregating their answers through a chart (Marquart). The researchers conducted in-depth background research on each inmate. They were able to do this by For them to analyze further and better assess whether a detainee’s disease has been with him/her ever since or was caused by a virus that has been spreading inside the penitentiary.

Each prison in the United States of America contains roughly one million prisoners, way more than the optimum number of prisoners each jail could hold, each cell is only capable of containing 246, 000 inmates (Merianos). As the health of the American men and women continues to decline, this applies to prisoners twice as much. In accordance with this, a different study, confirms that cases of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) among US citizens are around 18 per 100,000 people, while the cases with prisoners are about 362 per 100,000 prisoners. Due to the over congestion and lack of facilities, inmates are more prone to diseases and infect each other more compared to when they are separated. The environment in which each detainee is placed in affects their mental and physical well-being. The inmates are more prone to various airborne diseases. This shows that the environment of the prisons and their management directly affects the physical health of the prisoners.

In this research paper, the main agenda is to find out if inmates that were recently brought in could bring diseases with them from the outside world, into the prison, mainly health risks. Using this research paper, and its information, the research group, now know what the basic settings of the prison are, and what kind of interview questions can be relevant and helpful when asking the inmates for future reference. One of the main problems addressed in the research paper is the overpopulation and spread of diseases within the prison. Due to the poor management of the inmates and the prison environment, diseases can easily spread, causing chaos and suffering for the inmates. This information helps researchers find the root cause of the problem, therefore, allowing us to have a more in-depth knowledge of what goes on in a conventional prison.

D. Inmate Leaders

The research created by Raymund Narag and Clarke Jones named "Understanding Prison Management in the Philippines: A Case For Shared Governance" gives a brief explanation of the management system in jails in the Philippines. The national agencies in the Philippines forbid to have inmate leaders in their jails. However, due to overcrowding and lack of staff inside the prison, inmate leaders are utilized in the Philippine system. The authors collected data through independent narrative and observations with the help of inmates, inmate leaders, correctional officers, and volunteers in the Maximum Security Compound of the NBP. The study explains the difference of the system in the Philippines with shared control with inmate leaders due to corruption, poverty, low budget allocation, and lack of personnel. According to a prisoner, the system of having inmate leaders is called "nanungkulan," wherein prisoners created a style of discipline and rules since they are overcrowded and quickly get into fights. The purpose of having an inmate leader is to improve the PDLs' skills acquired before they were sentenced, maintain their cells, and reduce the defiance of rules (Narag and Jones).

Having Inmates Leaders to govern their prisoners can influence each detainee. One factor that affects of using inmate leaders is the lack of staff and personnel inside a penitentiary. Due to the low budget, the Philippine prisons are forced to have inmate leaders as their staff inside the penitentiary. Since the government of the Philippines gives a small budget to prisons, the salary of staff is underpaid. Hence, there is a lack of wardens that work inside the penitentiary. The benefits of using inmate leaders can direct to a stronger relationship among prisoners that can sometimes lead to the betterment of each detainee. They form a community and join in volunteer and recreational activities that lessen the suffering the prisoners feel in jail. Also, it can encourage prisoners to rehabilitate themselves. The participants of this research believe that the appreciation of detainees can help the reformation of the prisoners. From the officer's perspective, giving them a chance to use their time in useful and constructive activities makes them feel humane and has a "cooling effect" to the inmates. (Narag and Jones 13). However, inmate leaders may still have disadvantages, such as implementing uncertain rules, violence, corruption, and abuse.

One example of having inmate leaders that help their prison system is in Nepal. According to Purna Bahadur Pradhan, an officer in charge of security at Kavre District Prison, their prison is effortlessly controlled because of their "Naike," which means leader. According to a news article, due to lack of staff and equipment in Kavre District Prison, the naike system helped the prison unto the improvement of their facilities. According to Nepal's Prison Act 1963, a deputy officer is authorized to assign inmates as deputy leaders or leaders for every ten prisoners and 25 prisoners, respectively. The system was created by the inmates itself that organize their activities and system that can help the prison maintain its order. Also, the naike system in Nepal gathers its funds to purchase their own food.

On the other hand, the inmate leaders are given benefits while serving their prison. One example is that the main leader of the penitentiary could receive a two month less diminution of his/her sentence. The system was produced by their prisoners themselves to build their facilities and relationship with each other. (Global Press News Service.)

In this research paper, the officers and inmates created a system that could help improve the prison itself. Having inmate leaders is beneficial because it helps to improve the facilities inside the penitentiary, and at the same time, it strengthens the relationship of the inmates. Inmate leaders are a substitute solution for a lack of resources and budget. It can help maintain order and reform inmates.

The role of leaders in the system allows their fellow prisoners to progress their skills and reform their mistakes. This related literature can be used and utilized in showing the prison system in the Philippines. Also, it gives an understanding of the perception of the prisoners that can further help this study to interpret the survey and interview created for this research paper. The articles can allow the research questions to answer and explain the relation of prison management and their living conditions.

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

A. Methodology

The research group will be using the phenomenological study approach for this paper. A phenomenological study is a research approach that focuses on the experience and point of view of a participant regarding a specific issue. This best fits the research paper at hand because the subject focuses on the perceptions of non-government organizations on the standards of living in prisons, specifically in Metro Manila. The goal of using this approach is to understand the situation from the organizations fully. This research study discusses the perceptions of individuals under the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation regarding the cases of PDLs detained in various penitentiaries in Manila. Therefore, using the phenomenological research design is the most suitable approach for this topic.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data was collected through interviews and surveys to the members of the Humanitarian and Legal Assistance Foundation in Ortigas, Pasig, last December 11, 2019. The interview and survey questionnaires were mainly related to the research questions in order to attain the hypothesis of the study; these were then divided into two parts. First, the interview questions mainly focused on the main topic, which discusses the standard of living in various penitentiaries in Metro Manila. However, it also included situations within prison grounds, whereas the survey questionnaires focused on the sub-topics. These sub-topics include overcrowding, health situations, and possible gangs in prisons. The researchers first let the interviewees answer a questionnaire, followed by a few interviews with all the group members, which was recorded by cellular phone. In order to obtain further data, the group submitted forms after the interview in order to gain access to the information from the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation. The research group had set up designated dates of interviews in order to collect the data regarding the perceptions of the workers on the standards of living in penitentiaries in accordance with the PDLs.

Because the research group was not granted permission to interview PDLs from a single and particular prison, the interviewees ended up being the staff and volunteers in the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation. Despite having a smaller parameter for the data gathering procedure, the researchers were able to obtain information regarding the viewpoints of the volunteers and staff of the organization about certain situations and problems that occur within the prison area. Considering that the approach used was the phenomenological study, the interview consisted of the general and objective opinions of the staff and workers of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation.

Interview Questions

The first part of the interview talked about the perception of the HLAF regarding the physical and mental health of the PDLs. This part includes the viruses/epidemics spreading among the PDLs and whether or not they are provided with treatment and annual check-up inside the prison. Part two explains the management of the facilities inside the city jails. The questions asked about the prisoner’s schedule, hygiene, capacity, and common complaints when visiting jails. The last part of the interview discussed the effects of gangs in prisons. The questions included how often do gang fights occur and the consequences when an inmate is not part of the gang.

Survey Questionnaire

Part One: The Perception of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF) Staff and Volunteers regarding prison management

1. Inmates from different cases are treated the same way.

2. There is a need for improvement in prison management.

3. The inmates do not have sufficient personal space and are overcrowded in their own prison cells.

Part Two: Problems do the HLAF think the prisoners’ encounter

Part Three: Overall Rating (Prison Management)

These questions include the questionnaire and interview for the volunteers of HLAF that could explain their perspective regarding prison management in the Philippines. The interview and survey could help answer the research questions and have a background about the prisons in the country. Also, the volunteers can help and give credible sources about the effects of poor prison management to inmates.

Limitations

During the start of the arrangement of the research study, the researchers planned to have a face-to-face interview with the PDLs and correctional officers of Tagaytay City Jail, Tagaytay City. However, due to the disapproval of the request submitted by the researchers to visit the prison, they were unable to move forward with their plan. Instead of proceeding with the original plan, the researchers decided to find an organization to support the group in order to interview PDLs and prison guards in person. However, despite finding an organization to back them up, the time constraint is another problem they encountered. Since HLAF is a local organization, it is difficult to find a suitable schedule that is feasible for both the research group and the said organization. When the researchers were invited to join the activities in Tagaytay City Jail, to further collect data by interviewing the PDLs and correctional officers, transportation was not mentioned within the accommodations that HLAF prepared for them. Because of this, transportation became a problem due to its unavailability.

Furthermore, discussing the contents of this paper, this research study is limited to discussing the mental and physical well-being of the inmates from the perspective of the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation (HLAF). The opinions and observations of select members of the HLAF will be the focus of the group on analyzing how the standard of living is in penitentiaries in Manila. Because the group was not able to visit a definite penitentiary considering the factors as mentioned earlier, the presented information heavily depended on the perception of certain members, therefore making the data to be subjective. In alignment with this, no particular prison will be focused on, and the study will be limited to a generalization amongst the city jails in Metro Manila.

During the interview with a volunteer of HLAF, Melvin Nunez was interviewed by the researchers about the situation within the prison. However, most of the answers he gave were vague and long, making it difficult for the researchers to understand the main message that he was trying to convey to them. The research group recorded the forty-minute long interview by just using a voice recorded through a cellular phone. Because of this, some of the audio was inaudible, which made the transcription process longer than expected. The interview was also stationed in a long table, so the person asking questions at the end of the table was difficult to hear. These limitations are mainly what the researchers could not do during the research process. The limitations mentioned previously are not connected to the current data gathered by the researchers.

B. Results and Discussions

Physical and Mental Health

Situations Occurring Inside the Penitentiaries

According to Nunez, many PDLs follow a regulated time for them to have different types of activities throughout the day; furthermore, PDLs have various tasks and schedule for them to lessen their sentence and organize their sleeping routines to avoid decongestion. Prison management can also be enhanced by the volunteers who help PDLs provide their basic necessities or the PDLs’ family members who support them with their food, clothing, toiletries, etc.

The article written by the Preda Foundation Inc. talks about the current conditions in jails and correctional institutions. It mainly focuses on the general state of Philippine jails, a closer view of Philippine penitentiaries, consolidated CHR interventions and actions, and recommendations. The Philippine government follows its correctional system by the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. These correctional institutions follow the standard regulations by providing rehabilitation and treatment programs for the inmates. However, the most common problems in prisons are the lack of food, unhygienic food preparations for the PDLs, and the insufficient spaces provided for them, which could spread different airborne diseases. A closer view of the Philippine jails has concluded that a number of penitentiaries are having problems with regards to decongestion in prison cells due to the lack of proper facilities and equipment. This is because of the limited budget allocations provided by the local government in the Philippines. Nevertheless, certain jails have unique ways of forming a better community for the PDLs. An example is the Iwahig Penal Colony (IPC) in Puerto Princesa, in which inmates render their services to the community. Some PDLs help serve by becoming medical care helpers or handicrafters and carpenters, etc. This way, they can make a better community for both inmates and the officers. (Preda Foundation)

With the result of the interview and article, prison management can be improved with the help of PDLs, building a better community inside the cell. The PDLs can discipline themselves by being assigned to different tasks because of the lack of personnel. Even though the correctional institutions in the Philippines follow standard regulations for the inmates due to the lack of budget allocations, certain problems still occur due to the overcrowding in prison cells that leads to unhygienic food preparations, and the insufficient spaces provided for them. Nunez also adds that prisoners highly depend on non-government organizations and donations from outside. The food provided for them by the penitentiary itself (which comes straight from the government of the Philippines) is not enough for the population inside most prisons. However, with the help of PDLs, family members, and Non-Government Organizations, prison management can be enhanced.

CHAPTER IV

CONCLUSION

A. Description of Research Project

Jails in Metro Manila are prone to overcrowding, lack of medical facilities, and are short on personal space for the PDLs in general. The lack of resources affects the living conditions of the inmates who are currently sentenced there. The correctional institutions in the Philippines, especially in Manila, were deemed one of the worst jails in the world (Sorita). In alignment with this, the research problem mainly talks about the effects of poor living conditions in Metro Manila Jails and how the researchers can raise awareness regarding the issue. Factors such as overcrowding and diseases are some of the leading causes of failure in the system. Even if the government claims that the PDLs are not deprived of the rights given to them, their respective circumstances say otherwise. The penitentiaries often lack proper equipment and facilities to attend to the needs of the detainees. According to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, prisoners are often suffering from skin, lung diseases, and human immunodeficiency virus that are contagious. These illnesses often lead to diseases such as tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, respiratory tract infections, HIV, and more.

Another problem being addressed inside the prison is the mental wellness of each detainee. Some inmates often need consideration regarding their mental being. The constitution states that detainees have a right to medical and health services, rehabilitation programs, visitation and mail services, and free legal services and materials. This was stated in the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 under the Republic Act No. 10575.

The study aimed to raise awareness regarding the standard of living of inmates in prisons. This includes the effects these standards of living may have on the inmate’s physical and mental health. The researchers, on the other hand, can benefit from the study by learning the stories of some inmates in Manila and have a generalized knowledge regarding the situation of jails in Metro Manila.

The research group was not able to visit an actual prison because the school did not allow the students due to the safety procedures that are to be followed. The surveys, questionnaires, and interviews were only conducted by the research group with two persons from the Humanitarian Legal Assistance Foundation. Melvin Nunez, the head of the human resources of the HLAF and another staff of the local non-government organization that wishes to be anonymous, were the only two persons who were asked to answer the questionnaire and were interviewed. The research group was not informed ahead of time as to how many members of the organization exactly were they going to interview. Nunez, the person the group was in contact with, only advised the group to send the questions from both the questionnaires and interview online. Some questions might be deemed legally inappropriate to put in the questionnaire and will be a problem for the said organization.

B. Research Questions and Conclusion

1. How are inmates treated in regards to their physical and mental health?

Hypothesis: PDLs who are not provided with proper healthcare will have contact with certain viruses and diseases that can spread from one individual to another that may affect their physical health; furthermore, overcrowding, which results in violence and lack of privacy, can affect their mental health.

Conclusion: One factor is jail congestion among inmates which leads to the spreading of certain diseases and viruses. According to the World Health Organization, the Philippines is prone to diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV epidemics. Physical and mental Health is a big problem among prisoners. One factor of which is jail congestion can quickly spread sickness among inmates.

According to Rabindra Abeyasinghe, the representative for the World Health Organization of the Philippines, informs the public about the increasing number of illnesses in prisons. Tuberculosis in prisons is 100 times higher, and the estimated HIV epidemic among prisoners is at least 3%. Abeyasinghe also said that the widespread mental disorders in prisons have expanded, and suicide rates are ten times higher than in public (Kyodo News.)

According to the data gathered, PDLs are only eligible for medicines and check-ups if they are experiencing any internal pain. Nunez said that there has been a major decrease for the budget allocated for medication purposes in penitentiaries. The personnel will also have to check the person's criminal and personal record before giving them anything to medicate themselves. With this data, the research group can confirm the hypothesis which is that PDLs who are not provided with proper healthcare will have contact with certain viruses and diseases that can spread from one individual to another that may affect their physical health; furthermore, overcrowding, which results in violence and lack of privacy, can affect their mental health.

2. How do prisons handle limited access to basic needs in improving their prison management?

Hypothesis: The volunteers can improve prison management in some Non-Government Organizations. They will help organize and provide basic needs in developing the proper standards of the system.

Conclusion: According to the Preda Foundation Inc, the Philippine government follows its correctional system by the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections, and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. These correctional institutions follow the standard regulations by providing rehabilitation and treatment programs for the inmates. However, the most common problems in prisons are the lack of food, unhygienic food preparations for the PDLs. (Preda.org) Nunez also admitted in his interview that the PDLs themselves are the ones preparing food for the people in their cell. The schedule of cooking rotates among them as well. However, because of overcrowding, the routine for food preparation is disrupted so the prisoners tend to stay in their respective cells. The budget for their daily food intake is not sufficient for all of them crowded in the penitentiary. They rely heavily on donations and sponsors from the free world.

3. How does having different gangs in prison affect the inmates?

Conclusion: Gangs inside the prison are widespread because of protection. However, it can also cause riots. Last September 30, 2019, in Manila City Jail, the public information officer witnessed a riot. It happened in the dorms of the jail and caused two deaths and 32 injured inmates. The gangs involved are the Sputnik Gang and Batang City Jail. The groups are fighting over the place due to overcrowding. Nunez stated that joining a gang must be the first thing a PDL must prioritize before entering a prison. Being a part of a gang is both a necessity and a privilege. They serve as protection and territorial rights for the PDLs. This information does confirm the research group’s second hypothesis that there can be disagreements inside penitentiaries that could result to violence and injuries. Gangs and riots in jails are common especially in Metro Manila, because these members have known each other even before they enter jail. Though most PDLs have their own gangs that protect them from getting beaten up, not every gang can defend each and every one of its members.

Overall Conclusion

Based on the given data, it goes to show that PDLs in penitentiaries in Manila do not get to exercise their rights. From not being eligible to antibiotics or painkillers to being deprived of their own personal space. Penitentiaries in Metro Manila are not given the proper attention from the government. This can be observed from each prisons lack of basic necessities such as food, facilities, and cells. The PDLs are often discriminated and unattended to. They solely depend on donations and sponsors when they should not even worry about where to sleep at night. Their rights as a person deprived of liberty, from the free world and from society seems to be taken away from them the moment they stepped inside the prison cell.

C. Recommendations

1. Data gathering methodologies

The researchers’ method is gathering data through interviewing and providing questionnaires to the volunteers and staff of the HLAF. However, the researchers believe that studying the effects of poor prison management would be more effective if the data gathered is through the perception of the inmates themselves. The researchers would also recommend visiting an actual prison to observe and gain a different point of view on how prison management affect inmates and staff. The research group also suggests that future studies, on prison management and its situation, should not only be conducted through perceptions of two individuals, but atleast ten or more.

2. Problem and People Involved

The problem of this research is the effects of the poor conditions in jails. The researchers would like to suggest that with this information, people should raise awareness regarding this topic. The researchers would like to propose to the government to have a solution and consideration about the state of the Philippines’ prison. Also, this paper could help the government agencies with regards to the prison management to provide more attention to the quality of life of the PDLs.

3. Further Research

Further research can be conducted on how the Philippine system works. The researchers suggest studying the prison rules and treatment of its prisoners. The purpose of conducting new research about the Philippine system is to provide better quality and standards of jails in the Philippines and to find a way to improve these situations, to give PDLs a better environment for rehabilitation.

Works Cited:

Ayalin, Adrian “Overcrowded PH Jails Housing Over 146,000 Inmates, Above 20k Capacity

COA” ABS-CBN News, 3 Jul. 2018, Accessed 9 Dec. 2019

Appendix C: Interview Transcription

M: Publish with the organization itself in an article na lang para the views and opinions and the insights as well will be coordinated with - with our with with what i say alright ok

M: you can put down your phone kasi intimidating ay ok

S: ay sorry

Jl: sophia

*group laughs*

M: so first uhm i’ll discuss what HLAF is so first HLAF is a non government organization and a non profit organization which works for equal human rights and protection of human rights especially for the vulnerable when we say vulnerable we talk about the PDLs so last time the prisoners are called prisoners but the government now as well as non government organizations has been working for another term another label for them so we call them now PDLs --- PDL meaning persons deprived of liberty so yea i dont really know what PDL really stands for but I think it’s a good way on how we’ll be able to non discriminate them in a way that we call them as that so being called prisoner is like you know you’re in hell since it’s downgrading you as a human being it’s a great stigma for you when you come out of the community ok so uhm ok our vision is we aspire to help create a world order founded on the universal respect of human rights so our founder is master cho so he is from the Philippines as well so he found out that *coughs?//* it is really important that we give universal respect for human rights freedom against arbitrary and unjust imprisonment in all form so in the Philippines we know that we’re really have a had a hard time on the criminal justice system as well as the justice system so we work on that so that every human being deserves on equal treatment whether you are outside or whether you are inside jail next our mission is to seek an end on unjust and inhumane tension so when we say that uhm we’re really talking about the most vulnerable persons inside so we take care of how we’d be able to provide them legal assistance for women for children you know since most na nakukulong ngayon ay they do not have the capacity to have lawyers private lawyers as well so we help them in order for them to have a quick release follow up with their cases so yea so it’s through legal action and policy advocacies so hmm hmm yea so we do have thrift programs our program are for - are main program is the jail decongestion program or the JD it it’s our flagship program which is designed to support our two main our are two *stammers* *inaudible* uh uh well supporting programs as well so it has surrounds since the evolvement of this organization it well it *stammers* *inaudible* it trains and reprovides paralegal training to the PDLs

Is it okay that I say PDLs or okay na?

Sophia: Yes

MN: What we do we train the PDLs to paralegal training so that they can provide the paralegal trainings to their other inmates to their other inners na tinatawag when we say paralegal trainings we talk about how or kung paano nila mabibigyan ng linaw kung ano yung basic human rights ng isang tao so kapag nasa loob ka o kapag bago pa man well let’s talk about the pre or the pre before ka mahuli we talk about the miranda rights we’re talking about na you have the capacity to have your own lawyer or if you cannot have one one will be provided for you uhm you have the right to remain silent and other forms

MN: So it’s important na you include on your research sigurp miranda rights since anong part pero may copy na ba kayo ng research nyo or magcrcreate pa lang kayo

Liam: soft copy

Nikki: still in the process

MN: soft copy ahh ok pwede patingin para so i can help you as well in creating or hinde yea

Nikki: pahotspot daw liam

Liam: okay

MN: soooo the JD program yea sa HLAF kase nakasanayan na namin na acronyms lang yung tawag namin kase mahaba yung pangalan namin *chuckles* so we visit jails regulalarly and attend to the inmates so we do not only provide trainings for the inmates but we provide trainings for the *inaudible* so the BJMP which is the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology so we’re train them as well to be able to have an ethical an ethical training on how they would be able to handle these PDLS so on the other hand we also follow up cases of the inmates through CHR or the commision on --- of human rights we’re coordinating we’re having our partnerships so we could be able to fully assess and then on the later part we’d be able to access his data with their cases and eventually makakalaya na sila if if his case is finished or liable sya or acquitted acquitted meaning wala siyang kasalanan pero nakulong siya so we only have our coordinations with the city jails since it’s more uhm easier and more convenient na mas madali sila mapapalaya kase si sa city jails dun palang yung mga taong pwedeng acquitted or pwedeng committed meaning ginawa nya yung kasalanan pero malilipat sya sa bilibid ngayon so before we we move on i want namalap or matanong sa inyo if ano ba yung difference ng city jails at kung bakit nyo napili ang meron ba kayong venue na pinili bilibid or city jails

Sophia: Uhm hindi naapprove yung ano ngang tawag dun?

Liam: Yung ano po namin request po kase po dapat po sa mismong jail po kami magsse *inaudible*

MN: yea it’s really hard na since you have to partner as well with an organization if the students lang definitely 0%

Sophia: Uhm naaccept na kami sa baguio ay tagaytay

MN: Sa tagaytay?

Sophia: Pero yung schoolnamin yung hindi pumayag for security purposes

MN: Ah! Tagaytay City Jail? Ah okay

Sophia: tagaytay city jail

Liam: Opo

MN: okay pero bakit nyo parin ginawa yung ano I mean etong research na ‘to kung hindi naman kayo pinapayagan na mag city jail sya rin nagapprove pero sya rin di nag

Nikki: because we’re already we were able to create chapters 1 and we already made the draft from chapters one to three

MN: Ah! So wala syang nagawa kung di pumayag?

*silence*

MN: edi okay yea so your venue right now is what’s that is the living conditions of inmates where?

Sophia: Uhm through your perception po

MN: through our stakeholders na lang our pero would it affect the research as a whole

Sophia: uhm instead of focusing on jails and the perceptions of the inmates we would rather uh we moved our vision to the perceptions of the non government organizations on the standard of living in the penitentiaries

MN: So palitan na natin ‘to isulat nyo yung bago nyong angle since para ‘di tayo malito so perceptions na sya ng non-government organizations?

Liam: Opo

Sophia: Yun yung main

MN: Yun yung para saken?

Sophia: Yes

MN: yung yung topic nyo talaga yun

Sophia: Yes yung effects

MN: Ah ok ok sige ok na nalilito lang ako

Liam: yes

MN: Can you send me the soft copy

*silence*

MN: mamaya dito muna sya saken

Nikki: did you copy paste it

Julian: I did it last night but then I don’t *inaudible* wrong

MN: What copy paste? I’m a journalist you do not copy paste

Nikki: no no no

Liam: Ah yung isang file

MN: Ah ok ok

MN: Ah next we coordinate with the BJMP and the PNP ah if you do need a copy of this i’ll send it to you liam

Liam: Ok

MN: yea first is *inaudible* strongly coordinated with the government units so that our programs will be fully implemented pag wala sila hindi namin makikita yung ano yung living conditions nila sso we’ll talk about that on the later part since yun yung pinakagoal nyo but I’m still having the later part of what HLAF does para mas malinaw ok? K so yea uhh we score the jails and the court records for inmates to be ilfa -- which are eligible for their release so we target the most vulnerable nga so who are the most vulnerable nga as I’ve mentioned

Sophia: women and children

MN: uhuh and we have as well the PWDs the persons with uh disabilities the the poor the sick and as well as those who cannot provide you know financial capability of lawyers by training with the the uh --- we are trying to to change their punitive actions towards the PDLs you know their yung pakikisama ng mga jail officers sa mga PDLs mas maayos so in their cell maganada yung camaraderie nila sa isa’t isa so we’re not trying na magkaroon ng conflicts of interest sa mga jails so yea yea i think hindi nyo na need yung other programs namin because you’re focusing on jails

Sophia: Uh yea

MN: Saglit lang sorry namatay *points at computer* kasalanan ko so you’re from grade 12 ano ano bang tawag nyo strand yung strand

Liam: Uhm iba iba po kami

MN: Ah pero yung subject?

Liam: Core subject

Sophia: Core subject

Liam: Parang main subject

MN: So parang elective sya kung college

*skipped the interview to 14:10 because of the interviewees frivolous questions regarding the research group’s school life*

MN: okay so next is how do prisons handle limited access to facilities and equipment in providing their prison management ibig sabihin non prison management can be improved by the volunteers by us in developing the basic needs of the standards of the system ano ibig sabihin non how do prisons handle limited access pano nila natutugunan yung yung needs ng PDLs yung prisoners yung inside

Sophia: For example po overcrowding how do they address the problem po of overcrowding

MN: Address yung kung

Sophia: For the PDLs

MN: Do we not include the perception of the community

Sophia: No

MN: No ok sorry marami kase akong tanong nagrresearch kase ako dati next is how does having different gangs affect the prisoners yung ginagamit talaga in the Philippines we do not use prisoners inote nyo na lang ok let’s start

Sophia: Uhm based on when you last visited the prison was there any viruses or epidemics spreading among the detainees or the PDLs

MN: Well of course there are a lot of airborne diseases like cold, flu uhm viruses from coughing viruses from the skin since what we’ve seen in jails is don sya talaga and there is also people na nainvolve sa mental health but the jails could not be able to fully assess them since napakarami hindi nila maisa isa kung sino yung prisoners na may mental health capability so the spreading of of the viruses affects well of course all since none of them are provided regular health care well on the other hand wag nyo muna ‘to ilabas

Melvin Nunez asked the research group not to not share the following information publicly due to legal consequences

MN: On the other hand, eto pwede na kapag sa clinics nakita na may virus ka kailangan muna iassess kung eligible ka na maadmit dun sa clinic nila

Liam: Pano po malalaman po if eligible po kayo

MN: So if eligible ka well as I’ve seen tinitignan yung records mo yung criminal records mo wag criminal records your personal records you personal data so we’re also trying not to

A person comes up to our table and of the record chooses to stay anonymous

Anon: May naalala lang ako yung sinulat ni Bautista meron syang libro bulaklak ng city jail so uhm yung yung nangyari don sa nobela well nangyayari naman sya sa totoo nabuntis sya sa loob ng kulungan so ang nangyari ay ay nagkaroon ng processing sa kanya yung mga checkups wala lang naalala ko lang yung kwento ni lualhati Bautista na ayon

MN: Buhay pa ba si Lualhati

Anon: Buhay pa! Buhay pa sya! Nagsusulat pa kaso mga self publish na lang yung ginagawa nya di na sya nag papapublish

MN: Kailangan nyo pa ng interview isa oh interviewin nyo to mamaya well

Anon: Well lumalala din kase yung mga situation ng PDL

MN: mamaya ka na!

Anon: *continues* overcrowded kase yung jail so technically kapag halimbawa meron silang skin disease naghahawa hawa na yun kase pag gabi matutulog lang sila magkakatabi as in wala space in between minsan nakatagilid lang sila so yung skin disease nagsspread tas ano kulob pa mainit so mas marami so mas malaki yung chance na magspread yung fungi yung fungi sa skin kase mamoist ganon wala lang sige na nagtratrabaho ako wag mo na pigilan

Nikki: Thank you

MN: Yea on the other hand merong sleeping routine ano ba isleeping schedule ang PDLS natin since hindi nga sya kasya sa hindi pag kasya na yun nagkakaron ng affect sa well sa sleeping patterns nila every twelve hours ata magpapalitan sila ng tao so meron ka lang twelve hours para tumulog tas by 5 am dapat gising ka na para magpaaraw well kung in charge ka sa cookig sa paglilinis andon ka sa paglilinis yea so sa ganong routine hindi pati napapalitan hindi regularly nalilinis yung jails so it’s also a factor na nagkakaroon ng widespread ng viruses so kapag may widespread of viruses maraming naaapektuhan maraming inmates hindi lang inmates siguro BJMP personals as well yea

Sophia: Okay so uhm were the inmates receiving any type of treatments to alleviate their situation besides the

MN: Define what situation

Sophia: Uhh the airborne diseases besides the checkups

MN: I don’t think so kapag sinasabi lang nila na meron akong nararamdaman na ganito dun lang sila ichecheck ng BJMP personel nung nasa clinics since, over a jail is designed for 5-10 persons, wherein yung jails nakikita natin ngayon nagkakaroon ng 100 person per jail. Have you ever been to a jail pala?

Others: No

Julianan: Yeah

Nikki: Ah yes

MN: So you’ve seen how their living conditions are?

Nikki: Depends on where

MN: Saan na ba kayo nakapunta?

Liam: Bilibid ba yun?

MN: nakapunta na kayo ng bilibid?

Liam: May binisita lang

MN: So yeah what question now? How do it alleviate their situation? Hmm kapag since its not regular, the bjmp and the department of health are having a hard time as well since dahil nga sa airborne diseases sa skin diseases, just like chicken pox and the smell. Tuberculosis as well since lahat sila coughing. Pero I don’t know but they have developed a way na palakasin ang immune system nila in a way na hindi sila nahahawa. Pero mostly nakikita namin diseases medyo awkward. Parang nagkaroon ng tumor within the balls of a man and then he died after a week, so siya lang yun, naadmit siya sa clinic a week before. Then namatay na siya one week after. So yeah hindi, so sinabi niya tapos binigyan lang siya ng mefenamic acid at painkillers so that hindi niya masyado maramdaman, and then he’s been checked regularly until lumobo na situation niya then he died

Sophia: Just to be clear, there are no annual physical or dental checkups?

MN: there’s no regular checkups. So the regularity depends sa sasabihin nung PDLs.

Sophia: Ahh it depends on the situation for each?

MN: Yes it depends on the situation or it depends on how they feel nalang? Kung feeling nila magkakasakit nila, pero if we’re talking about fevers, we’re talking about simple coughs, they would just give the medicine and then that’s it

Sophia: Okay so how long are they given inside and outside their cells? And do they follow a regulated time period?

MN: Of course they do, since its also a factor of over-congestion since kailangan ng regular na pagikot ng prisoners inside jail

Sophia: Like a routine?

MN: yes, pero mostly sa nakikita namin, meron silang time for basketball, time for haircuts tapos yung iba may time pagluluto, paglilinis, nagkakaroon ng manicure at pedicure, tapos nagkakaroon ng paralegal trainings, so that they could be able to dessiminate as well the information nakuha nila from non government organization

Sophia: But like, an estimate how long are they given outside the cells

MN: Well after waking up like five, i think they are given until nine, ten. And then they have to prepare for lunch and then afterwards, they do have time for siesta siguro then regular na ulit routine nila. I don’t know but its really different from every city jails or every provincial jails regarding their rules.

Sophia: So its just a general idea?

MN: yeah

Sophia: So are they provided with basic necessities like soap, toothpaste, shampoo?

MN: No, i think that whenever your visited by your family members, they do have to bring this kind of toiletries

Sophia: But the Jail itself doesn’t provide hygiene products?

MN: I think theres a general soap for everyone?

Nikki: So if there are no family members who will visit?

MN: then he has none, he has none or either he should buy, kasi theres this mini sari sari store inside jails, so the products there are like 7-11, overexpensive, yeah.

Liam: Ano po yung currency po doon?

MN: Their using philippine currency but they do have this mayors na tinatawag, so pag minassage mo si mayor, meron kang libreng sigarilyo pero i dont know what their patakaran is yet, but yeah it happens inside.

Nikki: Is there like a hierarchy inside?

MN: yeah theres a hierarchy inside jails, since its important na magkaroon ng hierarchy siguro para hindi magkaroon ng conflicts of interest since sa cell, madaming gang members from different societies, from different parties, so ahh mayor is important so he’ll be able to equalize ano nangyayari inside the jails para walang initan mangyayari.

Sophia: So what are the common complaints you hear whenever you visit jails?

MN: First, gutom, uhaw, walang ligo, walang tulog, walang dalaw and mainit of course. Yeah i think thats what they perceive and what we see also as well, since kitang kita sa pangatawan na marami nang payat at sira na yung damit, although they are provided yung shirts nila but kita mo naman yung dirtiness, yung status ng damit nila kung nasang state na, kung state of decomposition na.

Nikki: yung clothes po nila, is it recycled once the person leave the jail?

MN: I dont know, but feeling ko iniiwan nila dahil hindi nila pwedeng dalhin sa labas kapag nakalabas na sila diba, pero i think binibigay sa kabaro nila, so that may magagamit pa siya tapos lalabhan nalang. Pero pag pumasok ka, may bago kang shirt, so PDL yung nakalagay sa likod at kung saan ka, halimbawa Quezon City jail and yeah thats it, its usually color yellow or color orange. With pants yung gamit nila pero right now, dapat binibigyan sila ng family members nila ng damit.

Sophia: Okay so, in your opinion, what do you suggest changing and keeping in their system?

MN: Well for us, the NGOs, i think comradery between the PDLs and the local government units, since sila rin maguusap at magaalagaan sa isat isa, so its best to strengthen, with that we promote human rights as well. Pag may magandang pagsasama, may magandang resulta.

Sophia: Okay so, how often do gang fights occur inside the jails?

MN: I can’t really tell, since hindi naman siya pwedeng itanong eh, kasi pag magtanong kami, kami magkakaroon ng conflict of interest. Pero hindi ako sure, well they do have, it occurs pero not really since yung gusto ng nakikita naming tao, makalaya, so pag ginawa nila yung, mapapatagal yung pagkakakulong nila, so hindi nila pwedeng gawin yun, ang pwede lang nilang gawin, magbabait at tumulong sa mga facilities. So that makita ng paralegal officers or BJMP officers.

Sophia: So you mentioned kanina yung mga mayor, uhm are there consequences for PDLs who are not part of gangs inside?

MN: No, when entering inside the jail, you have to pick one gang, so that yun yung magpoprotect sayo.

Liam: Mandatory?

MN: Its mandatory, since if you do not pick, probably, eventually, you will die. First its a sign of identification, kasi halimbawa kung, ito si Melvin, sa Sputnik yan, so kilala ka na taga sputnik, so theres no a hundred percent chance na gagalawin ka ng ibang gang members pag nagkaroon ng conflict of interest. Pero its formally a sign of identification, since hindi natin pwedeng makita kung saan cell ka nakalagay. Its mandatory to pick one when entering inside the jail.

Nikki: What if the person doesn’t choose a gang?

MN: Then he’ll not enter jail. We haven’t experienced yet since its mandatory, kailangan talaga niya pumili. There are a few articles relating to the gangs so yea i think that you have to be careful when writing this since that you might be *inaudible* it’s a human rights thing.

Julian: So far there are no records of PDLs who didn’t pick a gang?

MN: I can’t tell yet, since the data that they are giving us is in a state of creation yet for the whole year of 2019, since they give us the data mid 2020 pa in order for them to finalize as well as give to the higher government officials.

Interviewers: Thank you po

· End -

Appendix D: Pictures