THE PHILIPPINE PRISON SYSTEM

1. BILIBID PRISON – it was constructed year 1847 and became the central place of confinement for
Filipino prisoners. Prior to the establishment of Bilibid Prison, prisoners were confined under the
jurisdiction of “Commandancias” where law enforcement units were stationed. For easy
commanding control, a central tower was placed at the center of spokes and it was the most
important tower post then under the command of the officer of the day. The brigades made of
strong adobe stones were so sturdy that even today it still stands and are being used by the City
of Manila as the City jail.
2. THE NEW BILIBID PRISON – was constructed due to the overcrowded of the old Bilibid prison.
It has the capacity of 3,000 prisoners. It operates two satellite units namely Bukang Liwayway
Camp and Sampaguita Camp.
3. THE RECEPTION AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER – was established on 1953 for diagnostic study of
prisoners for more scientific rehabilitation.
4. THE SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM – located at the southern tip of Zamboanga and
was established for the confinement of political offenders. Was after its founder Ramon Blanco,
a Spanish captain in the Royal Army. Its purpose is the segregation of political fecal citrates that
advocated for reforms but were rejected by the constituted authorities. Dr. Jose Rizal was one
of its prisoner.
5. THE IWAHIG PENAL COLONY – Foreman R.J. Sheilds with her 16 prisoners, left the Bilibid Prison
buy the order of Gov. Forbes to establish the Iwahig colony in Palawan. Gov. Luke E. Wright
envisioned it to be the institution for incorrigibles. When the Philippines Commission, by virtue
of Reorganization Act of 1407, created the Bureau of Prisons on November 1, 1905, the
authorities changed the policy regarding Iwahig so that instead of sending incorrigibles, inmates
who were behaved and declared tractable were assigned to this colony. Today, it has the
reputation of being one of the best open institution of the world.
6. THE CORRECTIONEL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN – was established on 1931 in an 18-hectare
piece of land in Mandaluyong by authority of Act 3579 which was passed on November 27, 1929
and was managed by female personnel.
7. THE DAVAO PENAL COLONY – was established on January 21, 1932 in accordance with an Act
No. 3732 and Proclamation No. 1931. General Paulino Santos was the founder and the Director
of Prisons. At present, it is a combination of medium and minimum custody type of institution.
8. THE SABLAYAN PENAL COLONY AND FARM – on September 27, 1954, the President of the
Philippines issued Proclamation No. 72 setting aside 16,000 hectares of the virgin lands of
Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for the Sablayan Penal Colony. It enjoys the reputation of being
the youngest and fast-growing colony under the Bureau.

BUREAU OF PRISONS TO BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS

Revised Administrative Code Sec. 1705 – 1751 otherwise known as the Prison Law – states that the
head of the Bureau of Prisons is the Director of prisons who is appointed by the President with the
confirmation of the Commission of Appointment. The Bureau of Prisons has general supervision and
control of national and provincial prisons and all penal settlements, and is charged with the
safekeeping of all prisoners confined therein or committed to the custody of said Bureau.
Section 1724 – requires the Bureau of Prisons to promulgate rules and regulations that will best
promote discipline in all the national and provincial prisons and penal institutions and best secure
the reformation and safe custody of prisoners of all classes.

Section 1725 – prescribes that the mode of treatment of prisoners “shall be with humanity”, and
that provisions shall be made in the segregation of juveniles from the adult offenders and those of
the sexes.

Administrative Code of 1987 and Proclamation No. 495 (issued on November 22, 1989), Change the
agencies’ name from Bureau of Prisons to Bureau of Corrections. It is to conform to the ongoing
trends of modern penology - shifting from the antiquated punitive system of incarceration to the
humanistic rehabilitation approach.

JAIL ADMINISTRATION

Jails – has a dual role as a place of detention for those awaiting final disposition of criminal action
and the services of short sentences of not less than 3 years. It is administered by the local
governments such as municipality, city or province. It has a difference from prison, for the prisons
are administered by the state or national government and are institutions for the confinement of
sentenced prisoners serving imprisonment of more than 3 years.

Types of Jails – the modern jail system falls into 3 general classes:

1. The Lock-up – a security facility usually operated by the police department for the temporary
detention of persons for preliminary hearing. Period of detention does not exceed of 48 hours.
Persons who must be held longer are transferred to the city or provincial jails.
2. The Ordinary Jail – houses both offenders awaiting court action and those serving short (up to 3
years) sentences. Frequently, it is the only facility available for the detention of the juvenile
offender and for the care of the non-criminal insane pending commitment to the state
psychopathic hospital. May be administered by the police department or by the provincial jail
administration.
3. The Workhouse, Jail-Farm or Camp- this institutions house minimum custody offenders serving
short sentences, usually not more than 3 years. Like the ordinary jail, they may be operated by
the city police department or by the provincial jail administration.

Alternative to Jail Confinement (to solve the problem of congestion of prisoners)

1. Elimination from the jail of those who belong elsewhere.

Provincial Jails in the Philippines are not under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Corrections. They
are managed and controlled by the provincial government.
BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP)

- Exercises supervision and control over all cities and municipal jails throughout the country. The
enactment of R.A. No. 6975 created the BJMP. It operates as a line bureau under the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Mission of the BJMP

The Jail Bureau shall direct, supervise and control the administration and operation of all
district, city and municipal jails to effect a better system of jail management nationwide.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To improve the living conditions of the offenders in accordance with the accepted standards set
by the United Nations.
2. To enhance rehabilitation and reformation of offenders in preparation for their eventual
reintegration into the mainstream of society upon their release.
3. To professionalize jail services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

Warden – direction, coordination and control of the jail, responsible for the security, safety,
discipline and well-being of inmates.

Assistant Warden- undertakes the development of a systematic process of treatment. He acts

Administrative Groups – takes charge of all administrative functions of the jail bureau.

Security Groups – provides a system of sound custody, security and control of inmates and their
movements and also responsible to enforce prison or jail discipline.
Escort Platoon

a. Escort Section – to escort inmate upon order of any judicial body; upon summon of the
court; or transfer to other penal institutions
b. Subpoena Sections – receives and distribute court summons, notice, subpoena, etc.

Security Platoon – a 3 working platoon shifts responsible for overall security of the jail compound
including gates, guard posts and tower. They are also responsible for the admitting and releasing units.

MITTIMUS – is a warrant issued by a court directing the jail or prison authorities to receive the convicted
for the service of sentence imposed therein or for detention.

CATEGORIES OF PRISONERS

1. Municipal Prisoners – persons who by reason of their sentence may be deprived of liberty for
not more than 6 months. The imposition of subsidiary shall not be taken into consideration in
fixing the status of a prisoner hereunder except when the sentence imposes a fine only.
2. Provincial or City Prisoners – persons who by reason of their sentence may be deprived of
liberty for not more than 3 years or are subjected to a fine of not more than 1,000php or are
 subjected to both penalties; but if a prisoner receives 2 or more sentences in the aggregate
exceeding the period of 3 years, he shall not be considered a provincial prisoner.
3. All other prisoners are considered National Prisoner.

Institutional Custody, Security and Control of Inmates, Emergency Plans, Movement and
Transfer of Inmates
Custody is one of the important phases of prison management.

Security aims at the prevention of escapes, and control of contraband and maintenance of good order.

Contraband is anything found in the possession of the prisoner contrary to rules and regulations.

Prison Discipline is commonly of as a procedure to prevent escapes, riots and disorders, and punishing
those involved. Has also been defined as a continuing state of good order and behavior. It includes the
maintenance of good standards of work, sanitation, safety, education, personal health and recreation.

Elements of Prison Disciple:

1. Morale – it is the most valuable aid to a good custodial program. It is the mental condition
of individuals or groups regarding courage, zeal, hope and confidence in the present
principles and way of life.
2. Custody – defined as guarding or penal safe-keeping.
Control – involves supervision of prisoners to ensure punctual and orderly movement to and
from the dormitories, places of work, church, hospitals and recreational facilities.
3. Discipline the Concern of Every Prison Worker – a combined force of discipline of the prison
worker and custodial force.
4. Individualized Discipline – the correctional treatment including the administration
discipline, must be correspondingly varied and, in terms of understanding the inmate as a
person.
5. Discipline must be considered on an individual basis
6. Preventive discipline
7. Good Communication

PHILIPPINE CORRECTIONAL PHILISOPHIES AND THEIR LEGAL BASIS

The Philippine Constitution of 1997

1. The state values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human
rights. (Sec. 11, Art. 2)
2. No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations. (Sec. 18,
Art. 3)
3. No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof
the party shall have been fully convicted. (Sec. 18 (2), Ibid.)
 4. Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted.
x x x (Sec. 19 (2), Ibid.)
5. The employment of physical, psychological or degrading punishment against any prisoner or
the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be
dealt by law. (Sec. 19 (2), Ibid.)

Delay in the Delivery of Detained Persons to the Proper Judicial Authorities

(Art. 125, RPC), A felony committed by a public officer or employee who shall detain any person
for some legal ground and shall fail to deliver such person to the proper judicial authorities
within the period of:

12 hrs – crimes or offenses punishable by light penalties.

18 hrs – crimes and offenses punishable by correctional penalties.

36 hrs – crimes or offenses punishable by afflictive or capital penalties.

Arbitrary Detention is committed when the detention of a person is without legal grounds. The legal
grounds for detention are: a) commission of a crime and b) violent insanity or other ailment requiring
compulsory detention.

GOOD CONDUCT TIME ALLOWANCE (GCTA)

- Is a privilege granted to a prisoner that shall entitle him to a deduction of his term of
imprisonment. Under Art. 97, RPC, the good conduct of any prisoner in any penal institution
shall entitle him to the following deduction from the period of his sentence:
1. During the first two years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of 5 days for
each month of good behavior.
2. During the 3rd to the 5th years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of 8days
each month of good behavior.
3. During the following years until the 10 th years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a
deduction of 10 days each month of good behavior.
4. During the 11th and the successive years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed of the
deduction of 15 days each month of good behavior.

PROBATION- a judge may grant probation as an alternative to imposing a jail sentence. It is ordered
when the circumstances and seriousness of the crime suggest that the probationer is not a threat to
society and that incarceration is not an appropriate punishment. The probationer may freely live in the
community, but must abide by certain conditions of probation for a period of time specified by the court
and report regularly to an appointed probation officer.

PAROLE- It is granted after an offender has served a portion of his or her prison sentence. Parolees
must abide by certain terms and conditions while they are on parole. If a parolee violates the conditions
of parole, it will be revoked and he will be re-imprisoned.