To give prisoners a reason to be merry during the Holidays, the Iloilo Provincial Integrated Jail (IPIJ) in Brgy. Nanga, Pototan, Iloilo is implementing a 10-day conjugal visit for the inmates’ legitimate wives. 

IPIJ officer-in-charge Larry Fuentes said the duration is from Dec. 23, 2012 to Jan. 1, 2013 from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

He said visiting wives should bring their marriage contracts.

The IPIJ has seven brigades and each has a conjugal room where a couple could privately stay from 30 minutes up to two hours depending on the influx of visitors. 

Each brigade is composed of 16 lock-up cells that are currently being occupied by 704 inmates. 

Fuentes also emphasized that this does not apply to the 24 female inmates for the purpose of security. However, the husbands and other relatives of these women could still visit them during the regular visiting hours. 

The IPIJ will also enforce strict frisking and checking of baggage of all the visitors to prevent the entry of contrabands. 

Female guards will strip check the female visitors. Those who refuse to be inspected will not be allowed to enter, Fuentes said.

He also said, liquor and gambling are not allowed inside the jail in order to maintain peace and order.

Meanwhile, last Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, the inmates received Christmas gifts from Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor, Sr. as part of his birthday tradition.

He turned 71 last week.

A certain Jenelle, facing a drug case, thanked the governor for the gift.

“Biskan sa gamay lang nga butang, naga pasalamat kami kay gov sa pagdumdum sa amon diri sa sulod jail,” she said. 

Jenelle also thanked the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) for catering to their needs and helping them strengthen their spirituality.*