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Human Rights Situation in Police Lock-up Cells
protracted issuance of commitment orders may be immediately referred to the
Executive Judge who also sits in the same Council.
b.2 The PNP can also draft a policy on the conduct of search operations akin to
BJMP’s greyhound operations for the protection of detainees and their personal
belongings.
b.3 Establish preventive measures for the protection of PDL, including the immediate
relieve of jailers/custodians who maltreated detainees (subject to disciplinary
proceedings);
b.4 Maintain a separate and accurate register on detainee information; and update
and improve the record of detainees’ status and their cases in court. This may
help their families locate them once they are transferred from one lock-up cell to
another. Include computerization of detainees’ records;
b.5 Comply with the initial medical screening requirement to assess the health risks
and needs of every detainee to prevent or reduce transmission of infectious
diseases and other serious illness and to keep a complete and accurate medical
record;
b.6 To strictly observe provision of counsel to the detainee pursuant to R.A. 7438;
b.7
Establish health care services and facilities to serve the health concerns of
detainees. Lock-up cells must store enough medicines within the facility. Medical
check-up of detainees should be done on a regular basis;
b.8 Establish policy on engagement with social worker, psychologists or psychiatrists;
b.9 Repair or build new facilities. Architectural designs must allow adaptability to
current and projected trends in lock-up cell population. Lock-up cells must be
flexible to alteration, division and/or external additions so they can serve the
actual needs of detainees and avoid overcrowding. The additional facilities
must also ensure that detainees are separated according to sex and age. Cell
windows must meet the standards for access to natural light and fresh air while
achieving the required security level. Showers and sanitary installations must be
clean and private enough to ensure dignity and self-respect of the detainees;
b.10 Comply with the reportorial requirement under Republic Act No. 9745, and
come up with a policy on the reporting of torture and ill-treatment within the
lock-up cells;
b.11 Provide sufficient information on the status of detainees’ cases and possible
access to legal remedies;
b.12 Increase recruits of female jail officers or hire Non-uniformed Personnel (NUP)
health professionals;
b.13 Consider establishing separate lock-up cells and logbook/registry for LGBTs;