Characterization of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at ilagan provincial jail

In the Philippines, there are more or less one hundred four (104) provincial jails scattered in the different provinces on the country including sub-provincial extensions which 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. In Isabela, the new erected jail is located in the heart of Ilagan City, Isabela. It was established in 2002 in a seven (7) hectare lot with a total of two hundred sixty two (262). The jail has total of sixty four (64) personnel which includes permanent and under Contract of Service/Job Orders. There are three shifts of guards (one day duty, two days off). The jail has established conjugal rooms with a total number of sixteen. The number of rooms can accommodate bigger number of married couples to spend quality time with their loved ones. During the data gathering procedure, based on the interview conducted, the oldest PDL who was committed in jail is a sixty eight (68) male PDL, with nine (9) children in conflict with the law (CICL) confined in a separate room. In the same manner, the female offenders were also provided with a separate room; however, they have common receiving area. The jail installed CCTV cameras to monitor almost all corners of the jail; the monitor is being accessed at the Office of the Provincial Warden. This study was limited on the characterization of PDLS committed at the Isabela Provincial Jail, in Ilagan City, Isabela. 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, married, reached/finished elementary level, not employed, committed crimes against special laws and were arraigned, attended 6–10 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. On findings of the study, it can be concluded that majority of the respondents’ profile are similar despite the fact that PDLs came from all walks of life except on age and highest educational attainment as observed on the data gathered.