THE Zamboanga City Jail Male Dormitory (ZCJMD) has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to pilot an enhanced computer-based application designed to calculate the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) for persons deprived of liberty (PDL).
Collaborative Efforts for Innovation
In December, UNODC National Program Officer Dr. Ian Niccolo Tobia, alongside ZCJMD’s Paralegal and PDL Records Unit, conducted workshops, consultations, and system validations. The initiative engaged 12 paralegal and PDL records personnel and 23 PDLs, marking a significant step toward promoting transparency and efficiency in GCTA computations.
Key Features of the Enhanced GCTA Calculator
The enhanced GCTA calculator is a cost-effective, user-friendly tool that integrates provisions for additional time allowances, such as:
Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, and Mentoring (TASTM)
Special Time Allowance for Loyalty (STAL)
It also accounts for deductions due to violations of jail rules, emphasizing good behavior and aligning with rehabilitative goals. Ultimately, the tool aims to support jail decongestion efforts in the overcrowded facility.
Leadership and Impact
ZCJMD Warden Jail Superintendent Xavier Solda expressed gratitude to UNODC for its technical support in improving the system.
“This tool promotes transparency and efficiency by empowering PDLs to independently compute their earned time allowance. It reinforces accountability and helps prevent overstaying in jail,” Solda stated.
He added that encouraging PDLs to understand GCTA computations motivates them to participate in rehabilitative activities, such as education and skills training, which qualify for additional time allowances.
Supporting Justice and Jail Decongestion
Senior Jail Officer 4 Michael Badeo, chief of ZCJMD’s Paralegal Unit, highlighted the calculator’s importance during consultations, stating, “The tool provides clarity on detention status and legal remedies, helping expedite potential releases.”
BJMP Chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera reaffirmed his support for the timely implementation of GCTA under the updated rules of RA 10592. He also called for stronger collaboration with government agencies to enhance justice delivery within jail units.
Under the leadership of Solda, ZCJMD has facilitated the release of 1,993 PDLs since 2023 through the Justice Bilis Zamboanga program, part of the facility’s ongoing jail decongestion efforts.
This partnership with UNODC represents a significant milestone in ensuring fairness, efficiency, and rehabilitation within the justice system.