Technology as key to freedom and digital inclusivity for persons deprived of liberty
First of 3 parts
I(Speech delivered at the ICPA’s 1st Corrections Technology Conference on the theme, “Technology A Partner and Inspiration of Correctional Modernization,” at the Adelaide Convention Center, Adelaide, South Australia, May 23-25, 2023.)
AM delighted to have been given this chance to be a part of the International Corrections and Prisons Association’s (ICPA) 1st Corrections Technology Conference, which we can consider as a milestone for ICPA, and for correctional reforms advocates. This milestone becomes even more meaningful since it is now happening at this moment in a freer and safer world where Covid-19 has been declared by the World Health Organization as “no longer a global health emergency.”
In the Philippines, there is a scenario now in correctional facilities which I only dreamed of for a long time. And this is the full support of the Secretary of Justice to my office, the Chief Public Attorney of the Philippines, in the releases of qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Our agency, the Public Attorney’s Office, or PAO, is the principal law office of the Philippine government in extending free legal assistance to indigent and other qualified persons in criminal, civil, labor, administrative and other quasi-judicial cases. Included in our agency’s roster of clients, among others, are the PDLs.
In connection with this, I was enjoined by the Department of Justice, through Department Order No. 510, dated Sept. 28, 2022, to “identify PDLs in the detention and correctional facilities of the BJMP” (or the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) and BuCor (or the Bureau of Corrections), who are eligible to be released, and provide legal assistance to facilitate their release, in accordance with existing laws, rules and regulations.”
“The role of the PAO chief is really to be the heart of the DoJ,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. The legal mind and compassionate heart at work of the whole PAO are actually both behind the release of deserving PDLs who are clients of our office. From the time of the issuance of the DoJ order in September 2022 up to March this year, 50,706 PDL-clients of PAO were released from the detention centers of the BJMP (as well as from provincial jails of local government units, detention centers of the Philippine National Police). (see Table 1)
In addition to this, 3,027 PDLclients of PAO were released from the correctional facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). (see Table 2)
Going back to the BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) and BuCor (Bureau of Corrections), in 2022, the BJMP released 77, 960 PDLs, and BuCor freed 6,614 PDLs. From January to April this year, the BJMP was able to release qualified 34,030 PDLs, and during this period also, BuCor was able to free 2,388 deserving PDLs. How did technology help in processing the release of PDLs within their jurisdictions?
We will start with the BJMP. It uses technology in conducting 1) digital documentation like the single carpeta; 2) automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS); and 3) electronic scheduling in the single carpeta.
Digital documentation like the single carpeta: It helps greatly the personnel in charge since there is a reduction in the bulk of required paperwork in the process of releasing PDLs. It ensures that all important documents are completed with accuracy and efficiency. Digital document management systems facilitate reduction of errors which happen in conducting manual document management. Example of such errors: missing or incomplete forms or inaccurate data entry.
Automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS): Biometric identification such as fingerprint technology is used in verifying the identity of PDLs who are being released. This accelerates the releasing process and helps in reducing the risk of mistaken identity.
Electronic scheduling in the single carpeta: Electronic scheduling systems can be utilized in scheduling the times of release of PDLs, and in coordinating the releasing process with other agencies. This helps in the reduction of costs which are connected with printing, storing, and transporting paper documents. And this definitely saves time.
Efficiency, accuracy and security are ensured by technology in conducting the process of releasing PDLs. Needless to say, the use of technology is beneficial to both the PDLs and employees who are involved in the processing of pertinent data.
The lack of a standard operating procedure and the inefficiencies in records management contribute to the burden which PDLs bear in connection with unreasonable and unlawful delays in processing their release.
These concerns were solved by the BJMP by founding its Directorate for Information and Communications Technology Management in 2018. This specific BJMP directorate then set frameworks and standards for the development of software applications for the government. Prior to this, the lack of information technology systems was recognized as one of the main problems in the Philippine corrections system.