WHY THE PRISON INMATES ARE THE
POOREST OF THE POOR IN THE PHILIPPINES?
GROSS
OVERCROWDING
The Philippines has one of the highest prison populations and jail occupancy rates in the world, with severe overcrowding leading to widespread illness and death.
HIGH DEATH TOLLS
An annual death toll of ~5,200 inmates at the New Bilibid Prison is a direct result of severe overcrowding, poor sanitation, inadequate nutrition, and a lack of proper healthcare, with conditions so dire that at least one prisoner dies daily.
DELAYED JUSTICE
With 75.1% of the prison population being pre-trial detainees, the Philippines' justice system is marked by a severe backlog, resulting in many individuals serving lengthy sentences without a conviction.
FAILED REHABILITATION
About 74.4% of prisoners released return to jail within 3-5 years.
HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION
The Bureau of Corrections' budget is Php 13 per meal for each prisoner or Php 39 per person per day for his/her breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
ADDICTION
Nearly 85% of those jailed in the Philippines are involved in drug-related cases.
OUR CALL
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.”
Luke 4:18-19
