MANILA, Philippines — The European Union (EU) is set to provide the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) with multimedia tablets for its eDalaw system and other medical equipment to assist the agency in containing the spread of the coronavirus disease in its jail facilities.
The EU said that under its GOJUST program, multimedia tablets will be given to the BJMP to help inmates communicate with their loved ones and lawyers through online video calls after the agency stopped jail visitations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We are pleased to provide assistance to the criminal justice system as they address new challenges resulting from COVID-19,” said Thomas Wiersing, Chargé d’affaires of EU Delegation to the Philippines in a statement on Saturday.
The EU added that the equipment will also help in the pilot testing of criminal case hearings by video conferencing.
Aside from the digital equipment, the EU will also donate personal protective equipment (PPE), COVID-19 test kits, and items to disinfect inmates and jail personnel in the various BJMP detention centers.
As of April 20, the Cebu City District Jail reported 124 COVID-19 cases. As of May 30, the Philippine health department recorded 249 detainees and 34 BJMP employees in various detention centers as having contracted COVID-19.