He likewise ordered officials of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to draw up a comprehensive plan that would address the problem of overcrowding and poor living conditions inside the country’s jails.

"Even before I took over as DILG secretary, I have already committed to put on my priority list the problems of jail congestion and the terrible practice of mixing juvenile offenders with hardened criminals inside crowded prisons," Puno said.

"These are problems that should be immediately addressed. Juvenile offenders, in particular, should be spared the harsh conditions of prison life. Lumping minors with hardened criminals adversely affects their emotional, social and psychological well-being," he said.

Puno pointed out that juvenile offenders are open to abuse, cruelty and other forms of inhumane treatment when they are mixed with adult prisoners inside jails. "Minors who commit criminal acts should undergo rehabilitation instead of being subjected to the harsh conditions of prison life," he said.

Puno said he has also ordered the BJMP to work with the DSWD in drawing up a plan that would provide basic education or vocational training for children detained in jail to give them a second chance at becoming productive citizens once they are released.

Most of these offenders were charged with minor crimes such as petty theft, sniffing of glue or solvents, vagrancy and violation of curfew hours.

Earlier, Malacañang pledged to improve living conditions inside crowded and rundown prisons following the release of a US State Department human rights report detailing the harsh conditions inside Philippine jails.

The Palace has also tapped the DSWD as the lead agency to look into the welfare of children in conflict with the law (CICL).

According to BJMP data, there were 1,569 CICLs locked up in city, district and municipal jails as of January this year. This figure did not include minors in DSWD detention centers, provincial jails, PNP lockups and the National Penitentiary in Munitinlupa.

The BJMP has so far transferred a total of 520 CICLs to various youth homes across the country. These include 182 juvenile offenders transferred to the Molave Youth Home in Quezon City; 195 housed at the Bahay Kanlungan ng Kalakhang Maynila; 123 at the Operation Second Chance Center in Cebu City and 20 at the Juvenile Welfare Unit in Davao City.

The office of BJMP chief Director Arturo Alit IV said the transfer of the remaining 1,049 juvenile offenders from adult jails to youth detention centers is ongoing.

Some cases involving minors, however, have been facing delays because court orders are necessary to secure their release from prison. The lack of facilities has also hampered their transfer to DWSD-supervised youth centers.

Puno said he has already instructed BJMP officials to work closely with the DSWD to speed up the transfer of the remaining juvenile detainees confined inside adult jails.

Alit said he has directed BJMP regional directors to give top priority to the cases of juvenile offenders. (Elena Aben)