NBP’s ‘sleep out’ scheme prone to abuse — DOJ panel

A Department of Justice (DOJ) panel looking into the unauthorized "vacation" of convicted killer Antonio Leviste on Monday scrutinized the possible lapses in the Bureau of Corrections’ (BuCor) "sleep out" privilege awarded to New Bilibid Prison inmates. At a hearing, a panel member pointed out that the system may be prone to abuse because of lapses, namely the lack of standards on who should qualify for the "sleep out" privilege and the lack of personnel to monitor inmates who have been granted such privilege. State Counsel Wilberto Tolitol pointed out that the approval of application for the privilege depends on the "will and caprice" of the NBP’s superintendent. The panel grilled BuCor assistant director and officer-in-charge Teodora Diaz, NBP Superintendent Ramon Reyes, and his predecessor, Armando Miranda, who all shed light on the "sleep out" scheme. Tolitol asked them: "Do you still continue with the privilege despite the fact that it is being abused by some prisoners?" Reyes replied that on May 19, a day after Leviste, a former Batangas governor, was arrested for his unauthorized departure, BuCor Director Ernesto Diokno canceled all the "sleep out "privilege for 109 inmates on "sleep out" status. “Sleep out" vs “Live out" The "sleep out" system for inmates is different from the "living out" system. Inmates detained at the minimum security camp are automatically granted "living out" status because they are about to complete the service of their sentences or because they are above 70 years old. Those living out can roam the NBP compound during daytime as part of BuCor's program to help them reintegrate into society. "Sleep out" inmates, on the other hand, can spend the night in private homes inside the prison compound but away from prison cell at the minimum security compound. Diaz said the privilege is given to inmates who have "special kills." In the case of Leviste, he was granted such because of his tree-planting project. How Leviste gained “sleep-out" status Leviste was convicted of homicide in 2009 for the killing of his long-time friend Rafael delas Alas two years earlier. He was sentenced to six to 12 years in jail. He was detained for a year at Bilibid’s Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) for more than a year. There, he underwent quarantine and psychological tests. He was transferred to the minimum security compound in July 2010. On the recommendation of BuCor Agricultural Production head Wilson Marquez, Miranda granted Leviste "sleep out" status that year. When DOJ panel member State Prosecutor Rohaira Lao-Tamano asked what special skills Leviste possessed for him to merit the "sleep out" privilege, Diaz, Miranda, and Reyes said Leviste’s tree planting program required him to sleep out of the minimum security compound. "He has a special skill of propagation of seedlings, that's a special skill?" asked Lao-Tamano. To which, Diaz replied: "Maybe, but since this is the project of Mr. Leviste, I think he has the option to be there to supervise there." But the DOJ panel member pointed out: "It's just a matter of planting. You can actually require all the inmates to plant." Diaz then said: "It was the chief of the agro [Marquez] who requested for him to be on a sleep out status." "Sleep out" privilege not provided by manual It was also revealed in Monday's hearing that the "sleep out" privilege for inmates does not exist in the BuCor's operating manual. But Miranda replied that the scheme is "an internal policy of the BuCor" since 1986. State Counsel Charlene Mae Tapic then said that if it has been a policy since 1986, it should be part of the revised manual in 2000. - KBK, GMA News