Many prisons and jails have restricted PDLs’ access to the outside world by prohibiting physical visits from relatives, friends, and even their lawyers should they already have. Physical contact to families, friends, and the community outside jail have transitioned to online such as E-Dalaw (visitation), E-Konsulta (case consultation), and even E-Burol (wake/burial).
In response to the global pandemic, the Philippine government also implemented laws that limit face-to-face interaction among its citizens. In May 2022, former president Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order No. 170 which required government agencies to use digital payment methods to release funds and collect dues (Manuel, 2022). Moreover, the digitalization of the government was also carried over to their judicial processes such as the Supreme Court’s adoption of virtual hearings (Microsoft,2021).
As governmental functions continue to shift toward digitalization, its citizens would adapt to these new developments. For a normal Filipino citizen, these advancements would be tantamount to efficient and accessible processes but for those persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), this would amount to so much more.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine jails and prisons were known to be breeding grounds for contagious diseases. Overcrowding, inadequate ventilation and infrastructure, and poor health, hygiene, and sanitation conditions contribute to the development of infectious diseases.
Even virtual visitation has the ability to mimic the favorable benefits of face-to-face visitation. Positive outcomes include the strengthening and maintaining of social bonds, emotional support through familial interactions, and the promotion of reform themes.
Sobol (2018) stated that communication aids inmates’ reintegration into society and keeps them connected to their families. According to the study, incarceration has a negative impact on individuals, such as the loss of parental rights, a decrease in family income, a disruption in family stability, and a negative impact on family mental health and well-being.
While these exist, communication has the potential to minimize their effects. Traditional methods for incarcerated people to communicate with their families and society include visitation, mail, or phone calls; however, technological advancements now allow for electronic messaging and video visits. As stated by the author, electronic messaging and video visits provides benefits on the part of the inmate and their families.
For instance, families of those incarcerated may reduce travel costs and time. On the part of the inmates, they may avoid delays such as waiting in lines for their turn at the telephone. Therefore, the author opined that communication, in general, may minimize the aforementioned negative effects experienced by the incarcerated.
