Press Release
May 25, 2011

MIRIAM: USE ROBIN HOOD IN JAILS

Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago said that her recent proposal to operate a "pay-to-stay" program in jail was misinterpreted by certain critics, during a radio interview by Anthony Taberna yesterday, 25 May 2011.

"The country needs nationwide penal reform. As usual there is no money. The 'pay-to-stay' program forces rich prisoners to pay the money which will be used to improve the detention facilities of poor prisoners," she said.

She said that her proposal will merely "manage the bribery that is widespread today in national penitentiaries and city jails," resulting in discriminatory treatment for the rich, and enriching corrupt prison officials.

"In jail, if you are rich, you can live like a maharajah. By contrast, if you are poor, you live like a sewer rat. So we must adopt the Robin Hood concept - making the rich pay for the poor," she said.

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