A proposed new Caloocan City jail: Barangay 177, Sacred Heart Quirino Highway, North Caloocan City, NCR /
Catherine Joyce J. Lazaro .--
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- xliii, 463pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's thesis
College of Architecture and Fine Arts .--
Includes bibliographic references and index.
This study aims to assess the factors and impacts affecting the daily lives of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) in BJMP-manned city jails, with a particular focus on Caloocan City Jail. City jails, managed by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), house PDLs with short-term and pretrial cases, typically serving sentences from one day up to three years. The research identifies
overcrowding as the most pressing and persistent issue across almost all BJMP- managed city jails. This problem contributes to severe congestion, inadequate
space allocation, limited facilities and services, and significant safety concerns. Specifically, Caloocan City Jail was designed to hold only 135 PDLs, yet currently detains 1,425—resulting in a variance of 1,290 and a staggering congestion rate of 1,056%. According to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the recommended space per inmate is 4.7 square meters. However, the actual space available per inmate in Caloocan City Jail is only 0.47 square meters, creating a 1:10 space ratio. This study places a special focus on addressing the alarming increase in the population of male PDLs in the facility. Data reveals that the majority of inmates are pretrial detainees, many of whom are facing charges related to prohibited drugs. The study concludes with an urgent call for the construction of a new jail facility in Caloocan City to alleviate overcrowding and improve current substandard conditions that hinder safety, rehabilitation, and visitation. The existing facility fails to meet humane treatment standards, negatively affecting PDLs, jail personnel, visitors, and the families of detainees.
ii | P a g e Respondents strongly support the development of a new, well-equipped facility that promotes human dignity, safety, and effective reintegration programs. Such an initiative would address current deficiencies and help rebuild public trust in the justice system. In accordance with Republic Act No. 6975, also known as the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990,” every city and municipality is mandated to maintain a secure, clean, adequately equipped, and sanitary jail facility. To support this goal, the study also evaluates a proposed site in terms of location, benefits, and its potential positive impact on the community. Ultimately, the study aims to provide a comprehensive architectural solution to the pressing issue of jail overcrowding in Caloocan City.