Capsule Proposal

Student : Princess Apple T.
Guetteng
Subject : Methods of Criminological Research
Topic : Capsule Proposal
Facilitator : Dr. Marlou R. Savella
Bridging Love Behind Bars and Outside World in the Course of Pandemic: A Research
Study On the Implementation of E-DALAW Program of Laoag City Jail
Introduction
The spread of the contagious coronavirus disease situated across the earth rose an
immense public health and economic crisis due to lockdowns and health protocols; likewise, it is
also a crisis of, and for governance. It has enormously affected the way we see our world and our
everyday lives. Not only is the percentage of contagion surging high and the rate of transmission
threaten our way of life, but the measures put in a place to contain the spread of the virus has
limited everybody’s daily life.
Social distancing, imposed quarantine and lockdowns, these are some countermeasures
being implemented to combat the spread of the virus. In connection with that, people have
resorted to technology and social media platforms to break the barrier and connect with their
loved ones.
Correctional facilities have not escaped the impact of Covid-19 despite having
restrictions to the public. In the Philippines, it was hardly a month after the outbreak when
officials announced that jails and prisons were one of the safest places to be in. Meanwhile,
roughly, persons deprived of liberty have already tested positive for COVID-19, and later
increased. The country according to Bureau of Jail and Management Penology has the highest
jail population globally—with a congestion rate of 534% for 467 of its jails. Some of these
persons deprived of liberty were also discovered to be elderly with pre-existing health
conditions, which puts them at a higher COVID-19 risk. With that matter, social distancing
proves to be already more difficult due to overcrowding. The World Health Organization in its
interim guidance in March also recommended temperature checks, the release of detainees and
elimination of visits to prepare, prevent and possibly control the coronavirus COVID-19 in
prisons and jails.
Jail is a correctional facility utilized to detain a person who are in the lawful custody of
the government. This includes either accused persons awaiting for trial or for those who have
convicted of a crime.
In the Philippines, the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology has the power to direct,
supervise and control the administration and operation of all district, city and municipal jails
nationwide with pronged tasks of safekeeping and development of Persons Deprived of Liberty
(PDL) (BJMP Comprehensive Operations Manual Revised 2015, Rule 1, Sec. 4).
On March 25 2020, the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology started to suspend all
visiting privileges in some regions in the Philippines including Ilocos Region as part of efforts to
contain the spread of Covid-19. In order to bridge the gap amidst lockdowns and help prisoners
cope up with home sickness and anxiety brought by the pandemic, the bureau strengthened their
existing program called “E-DALAW” which was created on 2011.
The Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) had a study about the effects of prison
visitation on recidivism among 16,420 offenders. The results suggested that prison visitation can
significantly improve the transition inmates make from the institution to the community. Also,
the results suggested that both the presence and frequency of prison visits during the last year of
confinement were associated with reduced recidivism. Thus, an inmate’s capability to cope with
the substantial emotional, economic, legal, and other challenges they face during incarceration is
determined through the extent to which they are able to maintain contacts with individuals on the
outside in which visitation is the primary link (Sitren, 2009).
The E-DALAW service is an alternative to the traditional face-to-face visitation between

PDL and respective families. This service enables the PDL to connect with his/her family
through a supervised video call and chat. The program is conceptualized specifically to cater to
persons deprived of liberty (PDL) whose family members cannot go to the jail for actual visit
because of the long distance to the jail from the residence or workplace of the family members.
However, in case of jail lockdown by reason of public health emergency where visitation is
suspended all persons deprived of liberty(PDL) are allowed to use the E-DALAW to
communicate with their families on equitable rotation basis (Bureau of Jail and Management
Penology, 2010).
It is one of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology’s efforts to fulfill its role to the
Philippine Criminal Justice System to rehabilitate and reform persons deprived of liberty(PDL).
As stated in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (n.d.),
“Prisoners shall be allowed under necessary supervision to communicate with their family and
reputable friends at regular intervals, both by correspondence and by receiving visits.” As one of
the stakeholders of prison reform, the inmates’ families can help in the rehabilitation process of
the inmates. Visitation has rehabilitative benefits for the inmates and it can reduce strains on the
inmates' elations with their families and can help in the inmates' post-release success (Gordon &
McConnell, 1999).
This innovation thus merits a study on the perception of inmates of such technology.
While the concept is socially relevant in terms of fostering family ties amid imprisonment of a
family member, it necessitates research investigation on the use of technology and its acceptance
in the prison setting.
This study can provide a baseline assessment on the implementation of E-DALAW

program particularly during this pandemic and address problems encountered of Laoag City Jail
which is a correctional facility under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail and Management
Penology and is implementing the E-DALAW program.
Statement of the Problem
This research has a chief concern regarding the implementation of E-DALAW program
of Laoag City Jail. To obtain all the essential knowledge, data, and information, the research
sought to answer the questions as follows:
1. What is the demographic profile of persons deprived of liberty as to:

a. age
b. sex
c. civil status
d. place of locality
e. offense
2. What is the demographic profile of the implementors/jail officers as to:
a. age
b. sex
c. civil status
d. place of locality
3. What is the level of knowledge of persons deprived of liberty regarding E-DALAW
program?
4. What are the guidelines in the implementation of E-DALAW program?
5. What are the problem encountered as to:
a. Resources
b. Internet Connection
c. Practices on E-DALAW program
6. What are the effects of using E-DALAW program/system to person deprived of liberty?

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Student : Princess Apple T.

The E-DALAW service is an alternative to the traditional face-to-face visitation between

This study can provide a baseline assessment on the implementation of E-DALAW

Statement of the Problem

1. What is the demographic profile of persons deprived of liberty as to:

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