Freedom and Death Inside the Jail.pdf - The Action Program for ...

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One escort officer provides
security to as many as
20 inmates scheduled
for court hearings.
For lack of handcuffs,
escort officers use plastic
straw to tie inmates.
Freedom and Death Inside The Jail
Escort Officers
Escort officers are responsible for bringing inmates to the court
on the date their cases are scheduled for trial, to the hospital during
emergencies, and to other places as authorized by the court.
Under the BJMP Manual, every inmate should be accompanied
by one escort officer and another jail personnel for maximum
security. Quezon City Jail, however, only has 35 escort officers
(some are on study leave). And during court hearings, each officer
on duty escorts at least 10 and at most 20 inmates. The escort
supervisor, therefore, has to prioritize inmates whose cases are
scheduled early or those whose cases are handled by judges who
are very strict with punctuality and attendance.
Aside from inadequate manpower, escort officers also have to
contend with lack of equipment. From Monday to Wednesday,