SEPT 12, 2015

NR # 3955B

Probe on the plight of women prisoners with special health needs pushed
Gabriela Party-list lawmakers are calling for a congressional inquiry into the plight
of women prisoners and detainees with special health needs.
The deplorable conditions in prison and detention facilities pose additional threat
to the health conditions of the ailing women prisoners as well as nursing mothers, Reps.
Emmi A. De Jesus and Luzviminda C. Ilagan pointed out.
The lady lawmakers are authors of House Resolution No. 2203, now pending with
the Committee on Rules for appropriate action, directing the Committee on Human
Rights to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the plight of women prisoners and
detainees with special health needs.
Citing Article II, Section 11 of the 1987 Constitution, the lawmakers noted that the
State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human
rights.
Furthermore, they said, Article III, Section 19(2) of the basic Charter provides that
the employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any
prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under
subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.
Likewise, Part I item No. 10 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of
Prisoners (SMRTP), adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of
Crime and the Treatment of Offenders provides that all accommodation provided for the
use of prisoners and in particular all sleeping accommodation shall meet requirements of
health, due regard being paid to climactic conditions and particularly to cubic content of
air, minimum floor space, lighting, heating and ventilation.
The UN-SMRTP, the authors stressed, specifically provides that the medical
supplies, equipment and facilities should adequately address the health needs of ailing
prisoners.
Should their health conditions require specialist treatment, sick prisoners should be
transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals, they noted.
They added that the SMRTP recognizes the need for special accommodation for
pre-natal and post-natal care and treatment in women institutions as well as nursing
facilities for infants of women prisoners and detainees.

The authors cited the reported case of Rosanna Sharon Cabusao, a recent
addition to the growing list of ailing women prisoners in the Philippines. Ms. Cabusao is
reportedly suffering from chronic Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia, a condition that
requires regular medical check-up, special diet and medicines.
Another case of an ailing woman-prisoner is Wilma Austria-Tiamzon, who is
suffering from asthma, severe kidney disease and recurring back pain, they noted.
They further revealed noted reported cases of pregnant prisoners whose medical
needs were neglected during their pre-natal and post-natal stages such as those
experiences of Andrea Rosal and Miradel Torres.
Torres, now a nursing mother, had threatened abortion and was advised by doctors
to take complete bed rest, but, according to the lawmaker, her arresting officers did not
heed the advice and instead, compelled her to travel from Quezon Province to the Taguig
City Jail.
This inquiry, in aid of legislation, should open our eyes and hearts and let
government do something concrete to remedy this deplorable condition women prisoners
experience, they stressed. (30) dpt