OVERCROWDING continues to be a major problem at the Dagupan City Jail with detainees now living in what can be considered as sub-human conditions.

Supt. Edgar Bolcio, the jail warden, said the city jail, which has a capacity for 100 prisoners, is now bursting at the seams with 389.

Speaking during the Kapihan of the Pangasinan Press and Radio Club on Wednesday at Lennox Hotel, Bolcio said he has been appealing for help from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology main office since August last year but it is apparent that no fund is forthcoming.

The Dagupan jail needs P5.5 million for the construction of an extension building.

Of the existing number of inmates, 38 are female and 261 male, 90 percent of who are from Dagupan.

Bolcio said he has also approached Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. for assistance but the city government was only able to provide three ceiling fans and a pool table for recreation.

Bolcio said the district jail has no funds even for the construction of a septic tank to prevent their used water from flowing right to the sea.

The waste-water from the district jail has been the object of a complaint from the residents in the area and the visitors at the Tondaligan Beach. The stench has worsened over the years.

The Dagupan City government has so far not compelled the bureau to act on this urgently.

The city jail currently has 34 personnel, of which three are officers.—LM

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