BAGUIO CITY: Inmates of the Baguio City jail are grateful for “virtual visitations,” which rolled out during the holiday season, giving them a chance to talk to their loved ones through the Internet.

The Baguio jail adopted electronic visits, or the e-dalaw to help inmates contact their friends or relatives, minus the hassle of going to jail during Christmas and the New Year.

Chief Insp. Wilson Banasen, jail warden, explained that the inmates had a chance to talk to their family members even outside the country with the opening of the e-dalaw. He said that it was their Christmas gift to the inmates.

A university and a nongovernment organization donated five computers to the city jail and the Internet connection was provided by the jail warden.

Banasen said that some inmates who have tried using the e-dalaw through online chatting, or talking via the software application Skype, expressed happiness and joy particularly those who have family members in other countries.

“Meron tayong inmate na for five years na hindi niya nakita ang pamilya niya since nandito siya sa city jail at ngayon lang sila nag kita sa paggamit nila ng Skype [We have an inmate that for five years, since he arrived at the city jail, was only now that he was able to get in touch with his family through Skype],” said Banasen.

Another inmate even cried when he talked with his daughter through Skype. The inmate said that this was the first time that he saw his daughter, which he left 16 years ago when she was still a baby.

 “Dati rati nakakausap ko lang siya sa telepono pero makalipas ang 16 years nakita ko na rin ang anak ko sa wakas [I used to talk with her over the telephone but after 16 years, I finally saw her],” an inmate said.

An inmate is accompanied by a jail supervisor during his session over the Internet.

The inmates were taught by jail supervisors and their fellow inmates on the use of the e-dalaw and they hope that through the e-dalaw, less personal visitations will be made in the city jail.

 Banasen is asking other kind-hearted individuals, groups and institutions to help the city jail have more equipment, such as computers and even a better Internet connection for more inmates to enjoy the e-dalaw and for their convenience as well.