Pubdate: Fri, 28 Jan 2005
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: JGD
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

SAFE IN JAIL

Warden Reports 'Zero Escape' In Jail Due to Fear of Killings

The unabated summary killings of suspected persons involved in the
drug trade struck terror in the hearts of detainees spending time for
drug cases at the Ma-a City Jail.

Supt Allan Iral, warden of the Ma-a city jail told the Times that the
extra-judicial killings deter detainees from escaping for fear that
they would suffer the same fate as the victims.

"If they escape prison, chances are they would be executed outside.
They would think twice before trying to escape from this facility," he
said.

Iral also  explained that as prison caretaker, their primary concern
is to ensure "zero escape" among detainees.

"Zero escape is a big accomplishment for us because our mandate is
safekeeping and development.  Any rehabilitation in jail means nothing
if a detainee escapes," he stressed.

Iral said Ma-a jail passed year 2004 with zero escape.

Iral revealed there are even detainees  who no longer want to leave
the jail for fear of their lives in the city.

"A mother of a candidate for probation pleaded for her son to stay in
prison since all of his companions were already executed. She
cancelled the application for probation," he said.

Iral said they are still observing if the same feeling prevails to
those with murder and robbery charges.

He advised former drug detainees to leave the city because the stigma
of being drug detainee is already attached to them.

"They better look for a place where they feel safe.  It is really very
difficult for them.  Unless they would just stay home, that's another
option.  It is hard even if their case is dismissed.  There's no
guarantee of their safety outside the jail. In jail, they are
guarded," he said.

Nearly half of the 875 detainees at the Ma-a City Jail face
drug-related charges, followed by rape, murder, robbery, theft,
homicide, kidnapping and rugby addiction.

"I informed the city council that with our 70 personnel including
myself guarding nearly 900 inmates, we are able to do our job.  We
just bear in mind that wardens are relieved not because of failure to
implement rehabilitation but because of jailbreak," he said.
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