Officials from the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) are planning to build more jail cells to address the penal facility’s severe prisoner congestion problem.

According to BDJ Warden Jose Rusylvi Abueva, they are planning to add 10 cells to ease the jail’s overpopulation.

The project has already been passed on to the Provincial Development Council to seek funds for its completion.

One of the BDJ’s current goals is to decongest the facility which now holds 568 inmates, Abueva added.

Congestion rates in other district jails across the province are also increasing as the Bohol police intensifies its drive against crimes particularly its anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The Ubay District Jail has the highest congestion rate at 500% which prompted its officials to have the facility’s construction hastened.

In Carmen, the congestion rate of its district jail is also exceptionally high at 300%. The facility is without additional land for expansion.

Meanwhile, the jails continue to conduct their “greyhound operation” or surprise inspection of cells, Abueva said.(with reports from Rey Tutas)