Child-friendly visitation area in jail? Yes, there’s one at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)- Ifugao District Jail (IDJ) at Tiger Hill in Banguigue, Kiangan.
BJMP- Cordillera Regional Director Jail Chief Superintendent Revelina Sindol, IDJ Chief Inspector Gannisi Olosan, Provincial Governor Jerry Dalipog, Vice Governor Glenn Prudenciano, and First Ifugao Provincial Mobile Force Company Acting Force Commander PLTCol Cesar Mallong led the inauguration of the visitation area on March 21, 2023. Rev. Father Felix Bay-ong blessed the facility.
1st in the Cordillera
Th IDJ child-friendly visitation area is the first of its kind in the Cordillera region.
The visitation area is a separate section of the jail facility located in front of the IDJ building. It has child-friendly amenities such as toys, games, and art supplies to help children feel comfortable and entertained during their visit. The walls were also decorated with bright colors, murals, and other child-friendly designs to create a warm and inviting atmosphere
Funds for the construction of the said facility was sourced out through a Raffle for a Cause conducted by the IDJ in December 2022.
With the new facility, IDJ can provide an appealing and nurturing space for children who will visit their parents at the District Jail.
Policy on creation of child friendly visitation area in jail
It is the mandate of the BJMP to provide humane safekeeping and development of PDLs in all jails nationwide, and to maintain ties with their families, the PDLs are given visitation rights. Prisons though have some negative impressions among children visiting their incarcerated parent or guardian.
To address such concern, the BJMP came up with Memorandum Circular No. 115 for the establishment of the visitation area that aims to enhance the physical environment that is conducive and attractive to children and visitors in order to create a positive impression of the jail. It also aims to create a productive engagement of the visiting children and families with the PDLs which will help strengthen family ties.
Sindol lauded the IDJ for the establishment of the visitation area and thanked the provincial and local government units, partner agencies, and the participants for supporting the raffle for a cause of the IDJ which funded the said facility.
“Itong pagkakaisa natin na maitatag ang proyektong ito ay isa lamang pagpapatunay na pinapahalagaan natin ang bawat Pilipino,” said Sindol.
“We hope that this child-friendly visitation area will serve as a model for other jail facilities nationwide and for its warden to take similar initiatives. Together, we can create a safer and more inclusive community for all, as BJMP ensures the humane safekeeping of all persons deprived of liberty,” she added.
