A look at the Philippines' overcrowded prisons
The crackdown on drugs unleashed by President Rodrigo Duterte has brought the country's prisons to the brink of collapse. In the Quezon City Jail near the capital Manila, inmates are living under miserable conditions.
Imprisoned in the open air
Inmates who cannot be accommodated in the prison cells sleep on the ground in the open air. At present, it's rainy season in the Philippines. And in the current tropical temperatures, it's raining almost every day.
Sleeping on several floors
Whoever possesses a hammock should consider themselves lucky. The prison, which was built 60 years ago, has a capacity to house 800 inmates. But today there are as many as 3,800.
Hardly any room to breathe
Every nook and corner in the prison is occupied. Most of the prisoners sleep on either thin sheets or bare concrete floor.
Staying strong
A prisoner toughens up his muscles in an exercise room.
Strict rules
Signboards remind inmates of prison rules. The handcuffed prisoners shown here are awaiting their trial.
Cleaning service
One prisoner cleans the toilet while the others try to kill time.
Washing and bathing room
Only occasionally can the prisoners free themselves of sweat, filth and stench.
Night confinement
A guard locks the gate in the evening, while the inmates get ready for another night in the overcrowded prison.
Uncompromising
Many hold newly elected President Duterte responsible for the inhumane situation. His campaign against drugs has shown no mercy. He has called on the people to kill drug addicts, which has led to an unprecedented wave of vigilantism in the Southeast Asian nation. Cases have been filed against 600,000 drug dealers and addicts so far, completely overwhelming the justice system.