Chapter 2

PHILIPPINE PRISONS AND JAILS: ORGANIZATION, POWERS

AND FUNCTIONS

Overview
The Correctional System in the Philippines is composed of six
agencies under three distinct and separate departments of the national
government: Department of Interior and Local Government - under this are
the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) which runs the city,
municipal, and district jails; and the provincial jails through their respective
provincial governments. Department of Social Welfare and Development -
under this is the Juvenile and Justice Welfare Council which oversees the
rehabilitation of young offenders. Department of Justice - under this are the
Bureau of Corrections, Parole and Probation Administration, and the Board of
Pardons and Parole.
Offenders convicted by the courts to serve sentences of three years or
more are kept at the prison facilities of the bureau of corrections: they are
classified as national prisoners. those meted with lighter sentences, as well as
those with pending cases before the regional trial courts, are confined in
provincial jails under the local government; while those awaiting trial in
municipal trial courts or serving light penalties (e.g., infraction of a city or
municipal ordinances) are detained in city, municipal or district jails under the
bureau of jail management and penology. juvenile delinquents are normally
sent to youth rehabilitation centers under the juvenile justice and welfare
council under R.A. 9344 unless the sentencing judge specifically orders for
them to be confined at the national penitentiary, as in cases where the
juvenile convict acted with discernment or the offense committed was grave.
Moreover, every province of the Philippine has a provincial jail, which is
being managed and supported by the provincial local government. The
Provincial Jail System was first established in 1910 under the American
regime. American colonizers mandated each province to establish its
provincial jails to be under their supervision and control. Memorandum
Circular dated March 7, 1994 issued by the Secretary of Peace and Order of

Page 1 of 25
the Department of Interior and Local Government, regarding the Manual of
Operations for Provincial Jails, is similar to the correctional procedures and
practices of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). In this
chapter also included the admission and confinement of persons deprived of
liberty, their classification, the reception and releasing procedures,
classification board, disciplinary board, and punishable acts of persons
deprived of liberty.

General Objectives
1. Recall the history of the National Prison System and Jails System;
2. Explain the organization, powers, and functions of the Bureau of
Corrections and its penal colonies;
3. Discuss the concept of reception and diagnostic center and illustrate
the admission procedures and classification of persons deprived of
liberty (PDL) in prison;
4. Explain the organization, powers, and functions of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology and its Jail admission procedures and
classifications of a person deprived of liberty; and
5. Explain the organizational structure, powers, and functions of
provincial jails and its admission and classification procedures.

Lesson 1

BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS

Pre-discussion
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) was organized and has been
operating under the Prison Act of 1917. The BuCor is an integral bureau of
the DOJ mandated to carry out the institutional rehabilitation programs of the
government for national offenders, or those who are sentenced to more than 3
years of imprisonment, and to ensure their safe custody. BuCor oversees the
operations of seven (7) prisons located in different parts of the country. On
May 24, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law Republic Act

Page 2 of 25
No. 10575, otherwise known as “The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013”. The
law mainly seeks to provide for the modernization, professionalization, and
restructuring of the BuCor by upgrading its facilities, increasing the number of
its personnel, upgrading the level of qualifications of their personnel, and
standardizing their base pay, retirement, and other benefits. The new law
mandates BuCor to implement a rationalized system of promotion and
performance evaluation system in coordination with the Civil Service
Commission.
The BuCor shall be headed by a Director who shall be assisted by
three (3) Deputy Directors: one (1) for administration, one (1) for security and
operations, and one (1) for reformation, all of whom shall be appointed by the
President upon recommendation of the Secretary of the DOJ: Provided, that
the Director and the Deputy Directors shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed
six (6) years from the date of appointment: Provided, further, that in time of
war or other national emergency declared by the Congress, the President
may extend such tour of duty (sec. 9, RA 10575).
Finally, in this lesson, it includes also the admission and confinement of
a person deprived of liberty as stipulated in the BuCor Manual which includes
the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC), Admission of Inmates; and
Classification of Inmates.

What to expect
At the end of the lesson, the students can:
1. trace the history of the prison system from the pre-colonial period to
the present;
2. discuss the organization, missions, functions, and mandates of the
Bureau of Corrections;
3. identify the different penal colonies in the Philippines;
4. discuss the concept of prisoner (Person’s Deprived of Liberty) and its
classification; and
5. outline and identify the rules on admission and confinement of persons
deprived of liberty (PDL).

Page 3 of 25
Lesson Outline

History
Pre-Colonial and Spanish Regimes
During the pre-colonial times, the informal prison system was
community-based, as there were no national penitentiaries to speak of.
Natives who defied or violated the local laws were meted appropriate
penalties by the local chieftains. Incarceration in the community was only
meant to prevent the culprit from further harming the residents.
The formal prison system in the Philippines started only during the
Spanish regime, where an organized corrective service was made
operational. Established in 1847 under Section 1708 of the Revised
Administrative Code and formally opened by Royal Decree in 1865, the Old
Bilibid Prison was constructed as the main penitentiary on Oroquieta Street,
Manila, and designed to house the prison population of the country. This
prison became known as the “Carcel y Presidio Correctional” and could
accommodate 1,127 prisoners.
The Carcel was designed to house 600 prisoners who were segregated
according to class, sex, and crime while the Presidio could accommodate 527
prisoners. Plans for the construction of the prison were first published on
September 12, 1859, but it was not until April 10, 1866, that the entire facility
was completed.
The prison occupied a quadrangular piece of land 180 meters long on
each side, which was formerly a part of the Mayhalique Estate in the heart of
Manila. It housed a building for the offices and quarters of the prison warden,
and 15 buildings or departments for prisoners that were arranged in a radial
way to form spokes. The central tower formed the hub. Under this tower was
the chapel. There were four cell-houses for the isolated prisoners and four
isolated buildings located on the four corners of the walls, which served as
kitchen, hospital, and stores. The prison was divided in the middle by a thick
wall. One-half of the enclosed space was assigned to Presidio prisoners and
the other half to Carcel prisoners.
In 1908, concrete modern 200-bed capacity hospitals, as well as new
dormitories for the prisoners, were added. A carpentry shop was organized
Page 4 of 25
within the confines of the facility. For some time the shop became a trademark
for the fine workmanship of furniture made by prisoners. At this time, sales of
handicrafts were done through the institutions, and inmates were
compensated depending on the availability of funds. As a consequence,
inmates often had to sell through retail or barter their products.
On August 21, 1869, the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in
Zamboanga City was established to confine Muslim rebels and recalcitrant
political prisoners as opposed to the Spanish rule. The facility, which faced
the Jolo sea had Spanish-inspired dormitories and was originally set on a
1,414-hectare sprawling estate.

The American and Commonwealth Government

When the Americans took over in the 1900s, the Bureau of Prisons
was created under the Reorganization Act of 1905 (Act No. 1407 dated
November 1, 1905) as an agency under the Department of Commerce and
Police.
It also paved the way for the re-establishment of San Ramon Prison in
1907 which was destroyed during the Spanish-American War. On January 1,
1915, the San Ramon Prison was placed under the auspices of the Bureau of
Prisons and started receiving prisoners from Mindanao.
Before the reconstruction of San Ramon Prison, the Americans
established in 1904 the Iuhit penal settlement (now Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm) on a vast reservation of 28,072 hectares. It would reach a total land
area of 40,000 hectares in the late 1950s. Located on the westernmost part of
the archipelago far from the main town to confine incorrigibles with little hope
of rehabilitation, the area was expanded to 41,007 hectares by virtue of
Executive Order No. 67 issued by Governor Newton Gilbert on October 15,
1912.
Other penal colonies were established during the American regime. On
November 27, 1929, the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) was
created under Act No. 3579 to provide separate facilities for women offenders
while the Davao Penal Colony in Southern Mindanao was opened in 1932
under Act No. 3732.

Page 5 of 25
Transfer of Bilibid Prison to Muntinlupa
The increasing number of committals to the Old Bilibid Prison, the
growing urbanization of Manila and the constant lobbying by conservative
groups prompted the government to plan and develop a new site for the
national penitentiary, which was to be on the outskirts of the urban center.
Accordingly, Commonwealth Act No. 67 was enacted, appropriating one
million (P1,000.000.00) pesos for the construction of a new national prison in
the southern suburb of Muntinlupa, Rizal in 1935. The old prison was
transformed into a receiving center and a storage facility for farm produce
from the colonies. It was later abandoned and is now under the jurisdiction of
the Public Estates Authority.
On November 15, 1940, all inmates of the Old Bilibid Prison in Manila
were transferred to the new site. The new institution had a capacity of 3,000
prisoners and it was officially named the New Bilibid Prison on January 22,
1941. The prison reservation has an area of 587 hectares, part of which was
arable. The prison compound proper had an area of 300 x 300 meters or a
total of nine hectares. It was surrounded by three layers of barbed wire.

Developments after World War II

After World War II, there was a surplus of steel matting in the inventory
and it was used to improve the security fences of the prison. A death chamber
was constructed in 1941 at the rear area of the camp when the mode of
execution was through electrocution. In the late ‘60s, fences were further
reinforced with concrete slabs. The original institution became the maximum
security compound in the 70s and continues to be so up to present, housing
not only death convicts and inmates sentenced to life terms, but also those
with numerous pending cases, multiple convictions and sentences of more
than 20 years.. In the 1980s, the height of the concrete wall was increased
and another facility was constructed, 2.5 kilometers from the main building.
This became known as Camp Sampaguita or the Medium Security Camp,
which was used as a military stockade during the martial law years and the
Minimum Security Camp, whose first site was christened “Bukang Liwayway”.
Later on, this was transferred to another site within the reservation where the
former depot was situated.
Page 6 of 25
 Under Proclamation No. 72 issued on September 26, 1954, the
Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro was established. In
The Leyte Regional Prison followed suit under Proclamation No. 1101 issued
on January 16, 1973.

Non-Operational National Prisons

1. Fort Bonifacio Prison
A committee report submitted to then President Carlos P. Garcia
described Fort Bonifacio, formerly known as Fort William McKinley, as a
military reservation located in Makati, which was established after the
Americans came to the Philippines. The prison was originally used as a
detention center for offenders of US military laws and ordinances.
After the liberation of the Philippines, the reservation was transferred to
the Philippine government, which instructed the Bureau of Prisons to use the
facility for the confinement of maximum security prisoners. For several years,
incorrigibles were mixed with political prisoners (those convicted of rebellion)
at the Fort Bonifacio facility until June 30, 1968, when it was converted into a
prison exclusively for political offenders. After a bloody April 1969 riot at the
Muntinlupa facility, however, incorrigible prisoners from Muntinlupa were
transferred to Fort Bonifacio.
During the administration of President Diosdado Macapagal, the Fort
was renamed Fort Andres Bonifacio. The correctional facility was also
renamed Fort Bonifacio Prison. The one-story building now stands on a one-
hectare area.
The Fort Bonifacio Prison continued to be a satellite prison of the
national penitentiary even after martial law was lifted. It was only in the late
1980’s that the facility was vacated by the Bureau of Prisons.

2. Corregidor Prison Stockade

In 1908 during the American regime, some 100 prisoners were
transferred from the OldBilibid Prison to Corregidor Island to work under
military authorities. This move was in accordance with an order from the
Department of Instructions, which approved the transfer of inmates so they
could assist in maintenance and other operations in the stockade.
Page 7 of 25
 The inmates were transported not to serve time but for prison labor.
Until the outbreak of the Second World War, inmates from Old Bilibid Prison
were regularly sent to Corregidor for labor purposes.
When the War broke out, prisoners on Corregidor were returned to
Bilibid Prison. The island prison was never reopened.

3. Bontoc Prison
The Philippine Legislature during the American regime passed Act No.
1876 providing for theestablishment of a prison in Bontoc in Mountain
Province. The prison was built for the prisoners of the province andinsular
prisoners who were members of the non-Christian tribes of Mountain Province
and Nueva Viscaya.
Bontoc prison could be reached only through narrow, poorly developed
mountain roads. Due to the enormous expenses incurred in transporting
personnel, equipment and supplies to the prison

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)

- The Bureau of Prisons was created by virtue of Re-
organization Act of 1407 dated November 1, 1905, but
was renamed as the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)
under the Department of Justice by virtue of
Administrative Code of 1987 issued on November 23,
1989 and Proclamation no. 495 of the President of the Philippines and under
the Prison Act of 1917.
- The Bureau of Corrections has general supervision and control of all
national prisons or penitentiaries.
- It is charged with the safekeeping of all insular Prisoners confined
therein or committed to the custody of the Bureau.
- On May 24, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law
R.A. No. 10575, otherwise known as “The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013”.
- The mainly seeks to provide for the modernization, professionalization
and restructuring of the BuCor by upgrading its facilities, increasing the
number of its personnel, upgrading the level of qualifications of their
personnel and standardizing their base pay, retirement and other benefits.
Page 8 of 25
 - The new law mandates BuCor to implement a rationalized system of
promotion and performance evaluation system in coordination w/ CSC.

The Missions, Functions and Mandates of the BuCor

Mission
To maximize the assets’ value of the BuCor to effectively pursue its
responsibility in safely securing transforming national prisoners through
responsive rehabilitation programs managed by professional Correctional
Officers.

Functions of BuCor
1. To confine prisoners by giving them adequate living spaces as the first
conditions to be met before any effective rehabilitation programs can be
undertaken.
2. To prevent prisoners from committing crimes while in custody.
3. To provide humane treatment by affording them human basic needs in the
prison environment and prohibiting cruel methods and provide a variety of
rehabilitation program.

The Mandates of the BuCor

- the BuCor shall be in charge of safekeeping and instituting
reformation programs to national inmates sentenced to more than three (3)
years.

1. Safekeeping of National Inmates

- the safekeeping of inmates shall include decent provision of quarters,
food, water and clothing in compliance with established United Nations
standards.
- the security of the inmates shall be undertaken by the Custodial Force
consisting of Corrections Officers with a ranking system and salary grades
similar to its counterpart in the BJMP.

Page 9 of 25
2. Reformation of National Inmates
- the reformation programs, which will be instituted by the BuCor for the
inmates, shall be the following:
1. Moral and Spiritual Program
2. Education and Training Program
3. Work and Livelihood Program
4. Sports and Recreation Program
5. Health and Welfare Program; and
6. Behavior Modification Program, to include Therapeutic
Community

Old Bilibid Prison (National Bilibid Prison)

- the first penal; institution that was
constructed in 1847 for the purpose being the
central place of confinement for the Filipino
prisoners. It is pursuant to section 1708 of the
Revised Administrative code and formally
opened by Royal Decree in 1865.
- It was constructed as the main
penitentiary on Oroquieta Street, Manila and
designed to house the prison population of the
country.
- This prison became known as the
“Carcel y Presidio Correccional” (Correctional Jail and Military Prison)
occupied a rectangular piece of land which was part of the Mayhalique Estate
in the heart of Manila.
- The old prison was established on June 25, 1865 under a Spanish
royal decree and had a capacity of 1,127 prisoners.
- It is divided into two sections:
a. Carcel Section – which accommodate 600 inmates.
b. Presidio – which accommodate 527 prisoners.
- In 1908, a concrete modern hospital with a capacity of 200 beds, as
well as new dormitories for the prisoners was added.

Page 10 of 25
Prisons and Penal Farm in the Philippines (The 7 Penal Institution of the
BuCor)
- Philippine prisons are also known as penal colonies or Prison and
Penal Farms. There are a total of seven (7) penal colonies presently under
the control and supervision of the Bureau of Corrections. (Sec. 3, IIR of RA
10575)

1. San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF)

- established in San Ramon,
Barangay Talisayan, Zamboanga
City on August 21, 1870 by virtue of
Royal Decree in 1869 to confine
Muslim rebels and political
prisoners opposed to the Spanish
rule.
- Established during the
tenure of Governor General Ramon Blanco, a Spanish captain in the royal
army (whose patron saints the prison was named after) as Colonia Penal de
San Ramon, the facility was originally established for prisons convicted of
political crimes.
- It was destroyed during Spanish-American war, was re-established in
1907 but it was in January 1, 1915 when it was placed under the auspices of
the Bureau of Prisons and started receiving prisoners in Mindanao.
- It is considered the oldest penal facility with an aggregate area of
1,524.6 hectares.
- The second prison established by the Spaniards.

2. New Bilibid Prison (NBP)

- it was constructed on 1935 by virtue
of Commonwealth Act No. 67. A national
prison with 587 hectare lot in Muntinlupa,
Rizal.
a. New Bilibid Prisons (Main

Page 11 of 25
Building) – Maximum Security
b. Camp Sampaguita – Medium Security
c. Camp Bukang Liwayway – Minimum Security
- The fourth prison was established in the southern suburb of
Muntinlupa, Rizal in 1935, and was officially named the New Bilibib Prison on
January 22, 1941.
- This was actually a new site for the Spanish period national
penitentiary.
- November 15, 1940, all inmates of the Bilibid Prison in Manila were
transferred to the new site.
- The new institution has the capacity to house 3,000 to 9,000
prisoners.
- The prison has an area of 587 hectares, and surrounded by three
layers of barbed wire. It houses more than 50% of the total prisoners
nationwide.

3. Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF)

- located at Puerto Princesa
Palawan. Originally established to
house incorrigibles or those prisoners
beyond reform.
First prison established under
American regime is the Luhit Penal Settlement (now Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm), which was built on November 16, 1904.
- Its establishment was through
Section 1709 of the Revised
Administrative Code. The Iwahig Penal
Colony was established to confine
incorrigibles with little hope of
rehabilitation, most of them coming from the Bilibid Prison who fought against
the prison authorities because they did not like the condition of the prison.
- This institution has no walls and is considered as one of the best
open institutions in the world. It was from this facility that the term “prison

Page 12 of 25
without walls”. It sits on a 36,000 hectare lot and divided into four
colonies/zones namely:
1. Sta. Lucia – with 9, 685 hectares;
2. Inawagan – with 13, 000 hectares; and
3. Montible and Central Sub-colony – 8, 000 hectares.

4. Correctional Institution for Women (CIW)

- The second prison established
during the American regime was the CIW,
which is situated in an 18-hectare piece of
land in Mandaluyong, Rizal (now
Mandaluyong City) by authority of the Act
No. 3579, dated November 27, 1929. Prior to
the establishment of this institution, female
prisoners were confined in one of the wings
of the Bilibid prisons, managed by female personnel.
- it is the only penal institution for women and was established on
November 27, 1929 in an 18 hectare lot located in Mandaluyong, Rizal by
virtue of Act no. 3579 to be intended for the confinement of women convicts.

5. Davao Penal Colony (Davao Prison and Penal Farm - DPPF)

- founded by General Paulino Santos.
DAPECOL was established on January 21,
1932 in compliance with Act 3732 and
proclamation 414 series of 1931.
- The third prison established in the
Philippines is the Davao Penal Colony in
Southern Mindanao.
- It was opened on January 21, 1932
through Act No. 3732.
- In 1942, the penal colony was used as
a concentration camp for American prisoners
of war.

Page 13 of 25
 - After the war, in August 1946, it was reestablished and restored to its
former productive activity.
- Today the Davao Penal Colony contributes a big amount for the
institution through its venture with Tagum Development Company, a banana
plantation, covering about 30,000 hectares of land area.
- The colony is divided into two sub-colonies namely the Dujali and Sto.
Tomas sub-colony.
Correctional Institution for Women-Davao – the CIWM is a satellite prison
facility under the supervision and
direction of Davao Prison and Penal
Farm.
- it is the most recent facility
organized in the Bureau of
Corrections. It was only inaugurated in
September 18, 2007, the second
institution which branched out from the first and only penal establishment
dedicated in rehabilitating female offenders.

6. Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm

- built on September 26, 1954
through the proclamation no 72. The
Sablayan Penal Colony was
constructed in a 16, 190 hectare lot
located in Sablayan, Occidental
Mindoro.
- First prison established by Philippine Republic.
- Land area: 16, 190 hectares.

7. Leyte Regional Prison

- Constructed in Abuyog,
Leyte. It was established on Janu
ary 16, 1973 under PD. No. 28 and
through Proclamation no. 1101 to

Page 14 of 25
confine prisoners from Visayas.
- The second prison under Philippine Republic was the Leyte Regional
Prison, it covers a land area of 801 hectares.

Who is a Prisoner (Person Deprived of Liberty – PDL)?

- A prisoner is a person who is under the custody of lawful authority.
- A person, who by reason of his criminal sentence or by a decision
issued by a court, may be deprived of his liberty or freedom.
- A prisoner is any person detained/ confined in jail or prison for the
commission of a criminal offense or convicted and serving in a penal
institution.
- A person committed to jail or prison by a competent authority for any
of the following reasons; to serve a sentence after conviction, trial, and
investigation.
- refers to a detainee, inmate, or prisoner, or other person under
confinement or custody in any other matter.
- However, in order to prevent labeling, branding or shaming by the use
of these or other derogatory words, the term “prisoner” has been replaced by
this new and neutral phrase “person deprived of liberty” under Article 10, of
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), who “shall be
treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human
person.” (Sec. 3 IRR of RA10575)

Classification of Prisoners
1. Detention Prisoners – persons committed for investigation or trial.
2. Sentenced prisoners – persons committed to jails or by prison to serve
sentence after final conviction by a competent court for the commission of a
crime.
3. Prisoners for Safekeeping – includes non-criminal who are detained in
order to protect the community against their harmful behavior or to protect
them for any danger.

Page 15 of 25
Classification of Sentenced Prisoner
1. Insular or National Prisoners
-Those sentenced to suffer an imprisonment from three (3) years and
one (1) day to file imprisonment or more than one thousand pesos (P
100,000.00) fine or both.
-Those sentenced to suffer of imprisonment above but appealed the
judgment and unable to file a bond for their temporary liberty.
- Those sentenced with Death Penalty.

2. Provincial prisoners
- Those sentenced to suffer an imprisonment six (6) months and one
(1) day to three (3) years of fine of not more One Thousand pesos (1, 000. 00)
or both fine and imprisonment.
- Those detained therein waiting for preliminary investigation of their
cases cognizable by the Regional trial Court.

3. City Prisoners
- Those sentenced to suffer a term of Imprisonment from One (1) day
to three years or fine of not more than One Thousand (1, 000. 00) pesos or
both fine and imprisonment.
- Those detained therein whose cases are filed with the Municipal Trial
Courts in cities.
- Those detained therein whose cases are under preliminary
investigation cognizable by the Regional Trial Courts.

4. Municipal Prisoners
- Those sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment from one (1) day to
six (6) months.
- Those detained therein whose cases are filed with the Municipal Trial
Court.

Page 16 of 25
Admission and Confinement of Inmates

Reception and Diagnostic Center; functions. – There shall be a Reception

and Diagnostic Center in every prison which shall receive, study and classify
inmates and detainees committed to the Bureau. (Chapter 1, Sec. 1, BuCor
Manual)

Quarantine. – Upon admission in the Reception and Diagnostic Center, an

inmate shall be placed in quarantine for at least five (5) days during which he
shall be:
a. given physical examination to determine any physical illness or
handicap or mental ailment and to segregate those suspected of
having an infectious or contagious disease. If found sick, the
inmate shall be immediately confined in the prison hospital;
b. oriented with prison rules; and
c. interviewed by a counselor, social worker or other program staff
officers. The interview shall be conducted in private. (Sec. 2,
BuCor Manual)

Assignment of inmate. – After the quarantine period, the inmate shall remain
in the Reception and Diagnostic Center for a period not exceeding fifty-five
(55) days where he shall undergo psychiatric, psychological, sociological,
vocational, educational and religious and other examinations.
The results of said examinations shall be the basis for the inmate’s
individualized treatment program. Thereafter, he shall be assigned to a prison
facility as may be recommended by the Chief of the Reception and Diagnostic
Center. (Sec. 3, BuCor Manual)

Inmate Record. – The Reception and Diagnostic Center shall keep a

complete record of an inmate which shall include the inmate’s personal
circumstances; a brief personal, social and occupational history; the result of
the intake interview; and initial security classification. (Sec. 4, BuCor Manual)

Page 17 of 25
Admission of Inmates
An inmate shall be admitted in the Reception and Diagnostic Center of
a prison upon presentation of the following documents:
a. Mittimus/Commitment Order of the Court;
b. Information and Court decision in the case;
c. Certificate of Detention, if any and
d. Certification that the case is not on appeal; and
e. A female inmate shall be received only at the CIW. (Chapter 2, Sec. 1,
BuCor Manual)

Form of mittimus/commitment order. – The mittimus/commitment order

shall be under the signature of the judge and shall bear the seal of the court
attested by the clerk of court thereof. (Sec. 2, BuCor Manual)

Registration Book. – A person shall keep a bound registration book wherein

all commitments shall be recorded chronologically. The register shall contain
the following entries:
a. Name of inmate;
b. Reason for commitment and the authority therefore;
c. Sentence;
d. Date and hour of admission; and
e. Date and hour of discharge or transfer and basis therefore. (Sec. 3,
BuCor Manual)

Clampdown
- After registration, the inmate shall be taken a mug shot, front and side
view, fingerprinted and assigned a permanent prison number.
- The inmate shall be given a prescribed haircut, the beards and
mustache shall be shaved of.

Shakedown
- Body search of every inmate’s personal effects is required. Upon
admission the inmate shall be searched thoroughly.

Confiscation of Contraband Items

- Any item or article in which an inmate is not allowed to possess under
prison rule shall be considered as contraband items and subject for
confiscation.

Page 18 of 25
Admission process. – After registration, the inmate shall photographed, front
and side view, fingerprinted and assigned a permanent prison number.
The male inmate shall then be given a regulation haircut and his
beard/mustache, if any, shall be shaven off. (Sec. 4, BuCor Manual)

Hairpieces. – An inmate may not wear a wig or artificial hairpiece, unless

medical authorization to do so is approved by the Superintendent. (Sec. 5,
BuCor Manual)

Place of admission. – The admission of an inmate shall be made in an area

that is physically separated from the general prison population. (Sec. 6, BuCor
Manual)

Body search of inmate; personal effects. – Upon admission, the inmate

shall be searched thoroughly. He shall be allowed to retain in his possessions
only such articles as are authorized hereunder.
A list of all articles taken from the inmate shall be entered in the
inmate’s record and receipted for by the guard in charge thereof.
All articles taken from the inmates shall be returned to him upon his
discharge unless previously disposed of at the inmate’s request or ordered
condemned by the Superintendent after a lapse of two (2) years.
If the inmate brings in any drug or medicine, the medical officer on duty
shall decide on its disposition. (Sec. 7, BuCor Manual)

Confiscation of contraband. – Narcotics and all other prohibited drugs or

substances, the possession and/or use of which are punishable under our
laws, all types of weapons, substances or chemicals that may cause injury to
persons, and items or articles which an inmate is not allowed to possess
under prison rules shall be considered contraband items and confiscated.
(Sec. 8, BuCor Manual)

Issuance of uniforms etc. – The newly-admitted inmate shall be issued two

(2) regulation uniform/suits and two (2) t-shirts. Whenever practicable, he
shall also be issued the items:
Page 19 of 25
 a. One (1) blanket;
b. One (1) mat;
c. One (1) pillow with pillow case;
d. One (1) mosquito net;
e. One (1) set, mess kit; and
f. One (1) pair, slippers
The inmate shall be held responsible and accountable for the items
issued to him. (Sec. 9, BuCor Manual)

Personal effects of inmate. – In addition to the articles supplied by the

prison, the inmate may bring clothes and other items essential to his well-
being, provided the quantity, nature and dimensions thereof will not interfere
with the safety and living conditions of the other inmates. The
Superintendent may allow the inmate to bring electrical equipment like
television sets, radio cassettes, video players, electric fans and similar items
provided the same is for common use with other inmates.
In no case shall an inmate be allowed to bring in luxurious items such
as air conditioners, carpets, sofas, beds, sleeping mattresses, washing
machines and the like. (Sec. 10, BuCor Manual)

Wearing of jewelry. – An inmate may not wear jewelry items. He may,

however allowed to wear an inexpensive watch and the like. (Sec. 11, BuCor
Manual)

Classification of inmates

Classification Board. – Every person shall have a Classification Board that

shall classify inmates in accordance with this Chapter.
The Board shall be composed of the following:
Chairman ……………………. Superintendent
Vice Chairman ……………… Chief, Reception and Diagnostic Center
Members ……………………. Medical Officer, Chief, Education Section;
Chief, Agro-Industries Section
Secretary …….... Chief Overseer (Chapter III, Sec. 1, BuCor Manual)
Page 20 of 25
Inmates; how classified. – Inmates shall be classified as to security status
and as to entitlement to prison privileges. (Sec. 2, BuCor Manual)

Diversification
- is an administrative device of correctional institution of providing
varied and flexible types of physical plants for the more effective control of the
treatment programs of its diversified population.
- the principle of separating homogeneous type of prisoners that
requires special treatment and custody.

Types of Diversification
a) Diversification by age – minors should be separated from adult
offenders
b) Diversification by sex – females should be separated from male
offenders
c) Diversification by degree of custody – prisoners are segregated
based on the duration or length of their sentence imposed.

Classification of inmates as to security risk. – An inmate shall be assigned

to any of the following groups:

a. Maximum security – This shall include highly dangerous or high security

risk inmates as determined by the Classification Board who require a high
degree of control and supervision. Under this category are:
i. those sentenced to death;
ii. those whose minimum sentence is twenty (20) years imprisonment;
iii. remand inmates or detainees whose sentence is twenty (20) years and
above and those whose sentences are under review by the Supreme
Court or the Court Appeals;
iv. those with pending cases;
v. recidivists, habitual delinquents and escapees;
vi. those under disciplinary punishment or safekeeping; and
vii. those who are criminally insane or those with severe personality or
emotional disorders that make them dangerous to fellow inmates or the
prison staff.

Page 21 of 25
Note:
Maximum Security Prisoners
- The group of prisoners whose escape could be dangerous to the
public or to the security of the state. It consist of constant troublemakers’ but
not as dangerous as the super maximum-security prisoners.
- Their movements are restricted and they are not allowed to work
outside the institution but rather assigned to industrial shops with in the
prisons compound.
- They are confined at the Maximum Security Prison (NBP Main
Building), or other assigned building in other penal farm and they wear orange
color or tangerine uniform.

Super Maximum Security Prisoners

- a special group of prisoners composed of incorrigible, intractable, and
highly dangerous persons who are the source of constant disturbances even
in a maximum-security prison.
- They wear orange color of uniform.

b. Medium Security – This shall include those who cannot be trusted in less
secured areas and those whose conduct or behavior require minimum
supervision. Under this category are:
i. those whose minimum sentence is less than twenty (20) years
imprisonment;
ii. remand inmates or detainees whose sentences are below twenty (20)
years;
iii. those who are eighteen (18) years of age and below, regardless of the
case and sentence;
iv. those who have two (2) or more records of escapes. They can be
classified as medium security inmates if they have served eight (8) years
since they were recommitted. Those with one (1) record of escape must
serve five (50 years; and
v. first offenders sentenced to life imprisonment. They may be classified as
medium security inmates if they have served five (5) years in a maximum
security prison or less, upon recommendation of the Superintendent.
Those who were detained in a city and/or provincial jail shall not be
entitled to said classification.

Page 22 of 25
Note:
Characteristics of Medium Security Prisoners
- Those who cannot be trusted in open conditions and pose lesser
danger than maximum-security prisoners in case they escape.
- It consists of groups of prisoners who may be allowed to work outside
the fence or walls of the penal institution under guards or with escorts. They
occupy the Medium Security Prison (Camp Sampaguita) and they wear blue
color of uniforms.
- Generally, they are employed as agricultural workers. It includes
prisoners who served at least 10 years inside a maximum-security prison.

c. Minimum Security – This shall include those who can be reasonably

trusted to serve their sentence under less restricted conditions. Under this
category are:
i. those with severe physical handicap as certified by the chief medical
officer of the prison;
ii. those who are sixty-five (65) years old and above, without pending case
and whose convictions are not on appeal;
iii. those who have served one-half (1/2) of their minimum sentence or one-
third (1/3) of their maximum sentence, excluding Good Conduct Time
Allowance (GCTA) as provided in Chapter 4, Part III hereof; and
iv. those who have only six months more to serve before the expiration of
their maximum sentence (Sec. 3, BuCor Manual).
Note:
Characteristics of Minimum Security Prisoners
- Group of prisoners who can be reasonably trusted to serve sentence
under “open conditions”.
- This group includes prisoners who can be trusted to report to their
work assignments without the presence of guards.
- They occupy the Minimum Security Prison (Camp Bukang Liwayway)
and wear brown color uniforms.

Color of uniform as to security classification. – The color of the uniform of

an inmate shall be based on his security classification, as follows:
a. Maximum security – tangerine
b. Medium security – blue
c. Minimum security – brown
d. Detainee – gray (Sec. 4, BuCor Manual)

Page 23 of 25
Summary
Presented in the topic about the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) as a
line bureau and a constituent unit of the Department of Justice, has general
supervision and control of all national prisons or penitentiaries in the country.
On May 24, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed into law R.A. No.
10575, otherwise known as “The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013”. The new
law mandates BuCor to implement a rationalized system of promotion and
performance evaluation system in coordination w/ CSC.
Moreover, there are a total of seven (7) penal colonies presently under
the control and supervision of the Bureau of Corrections (Sec. 3, IIR of RA
10575), 1) San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) – located in
Zamboanga, to confine Muslim rebels and political prisoners opposed to the
Spanish rule, 2) New Bilibid Prison -, located in Muntinlupa, NBP is divided
into three (3) sections: a) Main building which confined the maximum-security
prisoners, b)Camp Sampaguita for medium security prisoners, and c) Camp
Bukang Liwayway confinement of minimum-security prisoners, 3) Iwahig
Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF) – located in Puerto Princessa, Palawan, it
houses incorrigible or those prisoners beyond reform, 4) Correctional
Institution for Women (CIW) – located in Mandaluyong City, it is the only penal
institution for women. 5) Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF) together with
the Correctional Institution for Women – located in Sto. Tomas, Davao City, 6)
Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm – located in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro,
and 7) Leyte Regional Prison – located in Abuyog, Leyte. Finally, it also
covers the topic of the different procedures on the admission of a person
deprived of liberty, the classification of PDL as to security risk. and entitlement
of privileges.

Page 24 of 25
References

Foronda, M.A. (2007) Correctional Administration (Institutional Corrections)

(1st ed.). Manila, Wiseman’s Book Trading.

Gahar, L.D. (2013) Handbook on Institutional Corrections (1st ed.). Manila,

Rex Bookstore, Inc.

GOVPH. (2016). Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic

Act No. 10575, otherwise known as “The Bureau of Corrections Act of
2013”. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/05/23/revised-irr-of-republic-
act-no-10575/.

Reyes, L.B. (2008). The Revised Penal Code (14th ed.). Quezon City, Rex
Box Store.

Page 25 of 25