Characterization of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at Cagayan Provincial Jail

Provincial jails in the Philippines, numbering one hundred four (104) in all, including sub-provincial extensions, are under the supervision and control of the provincial governments. Persons Deprived of Liberties (PDLs) who are being catered by the jail are most those whose cases are on trial, awaiting final judgment or some are to be transported to the national penitentiary. In the same manner as the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology under the Department of the Interior and Local Government, PDLs who will stay in jails are those with penalties of not more than three years. With the vision of the jail as “a dynamic, professional and highly motivated pool of custodial officers working in partnership with community for a safe, peaceful and free environment to live in”. It is supported with its mission that “the Office of the Provincial Warden shall take custody of all detainees, prevent and control their escapes, maintain peace and order and preserve the internal security of the institution in support to the community”. It offers various programs for the PDLs as part of their preparation whenever they will be released for their re-entry into the community. In Cagayan, the new erected jail located in Carig, Tuguegarao City was established in 2014 with a total of seventy two (72) PDLs and the sub-provincial jail located in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan with a total of fifty nine (59) PDLs. Both jails have a total of sixty two (62) personnel which includes permanent and under Contract of Service/Job Orders. This study was limited on the characterization of PDLS committed at the Cagayan Provincial Jail, in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. The researcher made used of a questionnaire to gather the needed data from the respondents. Interview was also conducted in order to verify some vague answers on the questionnaire. Findings of the study on age, most of the respondents are young with an age brackets of 28–37 years old, males, half are single and half are married, Roman Catholic, reached/finished elementary level, not employed, committed crimes against special laws and were arraigned, attended 1–5 times court hearings, been in jail for 3 years 1 day and more and most claimed that they were alleged suspects of the crimes charged against them. it can be concluded that majority of the respondents’ profile are similar and differ on the circumstances that led to the commission of the crimes despite the fact that PDLs came from all walks of life except on religion as observed on the data gathered.