RP prison system one of the world's worst - int'l group

MANILA, Philippines - An international church group monitoring prison conditions said Wednesday that the Philippines has one of the world's worst jail systems, an article posted on the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Web site said Wednesday. The criticism was made by the International Prison Chaplains’ Association Worldwide (IPCA). The IPCA, to the article on the CBCP Web site, said that Philippine prison conditions were “unacceptable" particularly the conditions of prisoners in Manila City Jail. Rev. Birgitta Winberg, ICPA President, said prison conditions indeed mirrors what kind of government a country has. “But it’s worse here,"she said. "The overcrowding and the standard of the prison system here are falling actually,"she added. IPCA members are currently holding a meeting in the country. Hosted by the CBCP's Episcopal Commission on Prison Pastoral Care, members of the ICPA are currently staying at the Manila Hotel. IPCA, an ecumenical Christian movement, is a conference of prison chaplains committed to serve the unity of the Churches. It provides a worldwide network of prison chaplains who are deeply committed in their work for peace and justice for prisoners. Winberg said that the experience of prisoners in the country was among the “most impoverished we have seen in any prison." She however lauded efforts being conducted by the Catholic Church’s prison ministry, saying “the Church does a very good job in this country." “I’m really overwhelmed and so proud over the Church. They are brave and working hard to get better conditions of people in prison," she said.- GMANews.TV