Special Treatment Given to Rich Prisoners in the Philippines

This article is focusing on the double standards rules and regulations that the jail authorities for the inmates who are from rich and influential families versus the inmates who are ordinary citizens and who come from low socio-economic level.  Although, this issue has been denied by the concerned jail personnel every time they get interviewed by the media; still, the fact remains the same that there is no equal treatment of the law towards the prisoners.  In fact, Bishop Pedro Arigo, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines quoted “It clearly shows that we don’t have real justice here; no equal treatment of the law.  If you don’t have money, you’ll suffer.  But if you have money, you’ll have influence and connections and you will have special treatment.”  The bishop comment is relevant to the different scenarios in the jail about many incidences of escapes of various rich and influential prisoners in the country.  There are cases, that these people are even given special appointments to go out from the jail in times of important occasions that they suppose to attend to outside.  Bishop Arigo added that the “culture of exemption to punishment among rich inmates must be blamed for this. 

(http://www.ucanews.com/2011/05/20/bishop-slams-special-treatment/ )

Based on the report in  the Philippine Daily Inquirer, which is referring to the case of a high profile inmate who is a strong evidence of special treatment case inside the detention cell.  In fact, this man, was convicted with child rape and acts of lasciviousness in his place, He has two-life sentences for the particular crime he did, and many other charges filed against him by some people.  During the election, he ran for a particular position, and he won.  Nowadays, he is still a politician who seems to be making his detention cell as his headquarters for his official meetings with his staff.  Aside from this, he even requested the Supreme Court to allow him to attend meetings and sessions in the House of Representatives; thank God! The Supreme Court denied his motion. It is reported that this man is staying in a well furnished air-conditioned room inside the jail.  His room is furnished with an LCD TV worth one hundred fifty thousand pesos.  Of course, he really can afford to buy anything even in jail because he is remarkably a wealthy political figure.  Additionally, he has complete appliances inside his room and a large-sized comfortable bed.  At the same time, his bathroom is decently designed and well furnished as well.  Moreover, it is also reported that he built also merchandise stalls, coffee shop and bakery as well as tennis court inside the jail compound.  He even financed the construction of the well equipped gymnasium that costs four million pesos.  What else, he likewise funded the building of “International Park” which is situated in the center of maximum security compound of the said detention building. 

 (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081010-165605/Perks-for-rich-jailbirds)

This is only one of the many special treatment cases inside the cell.  As a matter of fact, various prisoners who came from rich and most prominent families have been treated differently from the ordinary prisoners.  This is very prevalent among politician-prisoners; these political figures are even elected while they are inside the jail.  And, still do their official duties as political figures in the government.  As a matter of fact, many rich political figures as well as wealth and influential individuals who do not really experience the hardships of being there inside the jail.  Still, they are provided with all their needs and most  of their wants.  You can not say that they are totally deprived with the normal life that they used to have before. But compared to the ordinary prisoners, they are luckier because they have their ways and means to enjoy half of their lives while living inside the prison.  Nevertheless, I feel for those poor detainees who are being made as servants of the rich prisoners.  In contrast, there are many reports on the poor condition of many ordinary inmates in the prison.  They have poor food supply from the management.  A lot of inmates are working hard inside. They are cleaning the bathrooms, cleaning the entire compound and many other heavy works that are being assigned to them.  The question is; do the rich and prominent prisoners experience the same fate inside the detention cell?

There are many things that money can buy; and it is a vivid picture of doing favor to the rich prisoners because they are wealthy and have various connections everywhere.  But, the fact still remains clear, that despite their effort to use their financial resources; they have to face the sentence that they have to commute inside the jail.  Whatever good deeds they do while inside the prison; will only determine if they would have changed from their old selves and are deserved to be given pardon or amnesty.  Who knows?

Reference:

(http://www.ucanews.com/2011/05/20/bishop-slams-special-treatment/ )

 (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20081010-165605/Perks-for-rich-jailbirds)