DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The City Council approved an ordinance that bans illegal items to be brought in jails and detention centers.
The “Anti-prohibited items in prison and detention centers ordinance” was passed during the 20th session on Tuesday.
Under the new ordinance, the sneaking, using and carrying of any form of prohibited item inside jail and detention centers in the city will be penalized.
The ordinance aims:
1. to prevent the occurrence of deaths, riots, hostage taking and escape of inmates or patients by prohibiting the possession and entry of deadly and bladed weapons.
2. to prevent the inmates or patients from coercing, intimidating, threatening complainants and witnesses or other forms of retaliation, orchestrate crimes and organize rescue plan by prohibiting the possession and entry of cellular phones and other electronic gadgets.
3. to prevent the inmates or patients from bribing jail or detention center personnel or custodians by prohibiting the possession of an excessive amount of money in cash or checks inside jails or detention centers.
4. to safeguard public health and well-being of the inmates or patients by penalizing the possession and entry of illegal drugs, alcoholic substances, cigarettes and tobacco; and
5. to promote public welfare in the community by ensuring the rehabilitation and development of inmates or patients in preparation for their eventual reintegration into the society upon release.
The lists of contraband are identified as any “items specifically prohibited by the jail and detention management” that include deadly and bladed weapons, firearms, improvised explosive device and any possible components such as electric wires, batteries, fertilizers, ammunition.
The ordinance also prohibits metal cutting saw or blades, digging tools not permitted by the jail, cigarette and other tobacco products, liquor and other intoxicating beverages, prohibited drugs and paraphernalia, cash and checks more than the prescribed allowable, mobile phones and electronic communication devices, pornographic materials, gambling paraphernalia, and other items or products that are proscribed by the Jail and Detention Place Management.
First time offenders will be fined for P5,000 Pesos, second timers will be jailed for nine months, while third timers
will be imprisoned for one year.
In her privileged speech, Davao City Council Committee on Public Safety and Security chairperson Councilor Mabel Acosta said the ordinance will help enforce policies to penalize visitors who may contribute to the breakdown of discipline by sneaking in prohibited items. (davaotoday. com)
