CHAPTER 3: THE

ADMISSION
CONFINEMENT AND
CLASSIFICATIONS OF
INMATES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
 Questions
1. What is the difference between jail and
prison as to the term of penalty?
2. The municipal, city, and district jails are
under the supervision of what agency?
3. What are the classifications of prisoners?
Objectives:
The students will be able to:
• Identify the seven penal institutions in the Philippines
• Relate the early history of the seven penal institutions to
the present institution.
• Understand the admission system adopted by the bureau
• Identify the classification system of the offenders
• Infer the logic and the purpose of confiscation of items
considered as contraband.
 History of early Prisons
THE PHILIPPINE PRISON SYSTEM
Bureau of Corrections
• The organization set-up of the National Bureau of prisons and the basic laws on the Philippine Prisons
system. (Revised administrative code) “Prison Law”. Sec. 1705-1751.
•  Bureau of Prisons was renamed Bureau of Corrections under Executive Order 292
(administrative code of 1987) passed during the Aquino Administration.
The prison law states that:
• Bureau of prisons – Director of prisons (Chief executive of the Philippines w/ confirmation of the
commission on appointments)

Bureau of Prisons
• has a general supervision and control of National and Provincial prisons and all penal institutions.
• In charge with the safekeeping of all prisoners confined therein. (Tradio, 1966)
 PHILIPPINE CORRECTIONAL AGENCIES

 The correctional system in the Philippines is

composed of 6 agencies under 3 distinct and
separate executive departments of the national
government, namely:

The Department of Justice, under are:

 Bureau of Corrections
 Parole and Probation
 Board of Pardons and Parole
The Department of Interior and Local Government,
under this are:
 Municipal, District and City Jails - which runs the city,
municipal and district jails which is operated by BJMP.

 Provincial Jail – administered and supervised through

their respective provincial government.

 The Department of Social Welfare and Development,

under this is:
 Bureau of Child and Youth Welfare
Coverage of the Bureau of Corrections
 
a. National Bilibid Prisons (Muntinlupa)
- New Bilibid Prisons (Main Building)
1. Camp Sampaguita
2. Camp Bukang Liwayway
  -Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC)
b. Correctional Institution for Women (Mandaluyong)
c. The Penal Colonies:
- Sablayan Penal Colony and Farm (Occ. Mindoro)
- Iwahig Penal Colony and Farm (Palawan)
- Davao Penal Colony and Farm (Central Davao)
- San Ramon Penal Colony and Farm (Zamboanga)
- Ilo-Ilo Penal Colony and Farm (Ilo-Ilo Province)
- Leyte Regional Prison (Abuyog Leyte)
Bilibid Prison
In year 1847 the first Bilibid prison was constructed and become
the central place of confinement for Filipino Prisoners, by virtue of
the Royal Decree of the Spanish Crown.

 The Old Bilibid, then known as Carcel y Presidio

Correccional (Spanish, "Correctional Jail and Military Prison"). It
was made by strong adobe stones so sturdy that even this day
after its transfer to the City Government of Manila it still stands
and has been used as the Manila City Jail.
 The place is still famous for its name as the “May Haligue
Estate,” at the nearby Central Market of Manila.
 In 1936, the City of Manila exchanges its Muntinlupa property
of 552 hectares which that of the Bureau of Prisons lot in Manila.
This Muntinlupa Site was originally intended as a site for the Boys
Training School because it is far from Manila.

Today, the new Bilibid Prison operates two satellite units:

1. Camp Bukang Liwayway - house minimum security

prisoners who work in the various project of the institution.

2. Camp Sampaguita - located the Reception and Diagnostic

Center, the Medium Security Unit and the Youth Rehabilitation
Center.
 The Bilibid Prison specialized in the industrial type of
vocational training.
It operates furniture shop, shoe repairing shop, blacksmith
and tinsmith shop, auto-mechanics and automobile body
building shop, Electronics, watch repairing carpentry and
rattan furniture shop. It is also engaged in truck gardening,
poultry, piggery, and animal farming.

The New Bilibid Prison offers a high school course

which was established in 1956 for prisoners who desire to
complete their high school education.
The San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm
 The Spanish authorities in 1869 saw the need of establishing one
Prison Separate from Bilibid for those who fought the established
government.
 In effect, San Ramon Prison and penal farm in Zamboanga was
established for the confinement of political offenders. Filipino
fighters who advocated for reforms against the Spanish
Government and who were not excused or put to death were sent
either to Guam or the Marianas Island or to Zamboanga.
 The prison was named after its founder Capt. Ramon Blanco of
the Spanish Royal Army.
 One of the Filipino prisoners there during those days was Dr.
Jose Rizal who fought for reforms and was considered an enemy
of the Spanish government.
The San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm has
an area of 1,546 hectares. It provides product
Copra – one of the biggest source of income
of the bureau of Prisons. It also raises rice,
corn, coffee, cattle and livestock.
 
The Iwahig Penal Colony
 The establishment of the Iwahig Penal Colony to serve as an institution
for incorrigibles was envisioned by Governor Forbes, who was then the
Secretary of Commerce and Police.
 The first contingent of prisoners from the Bilibid Prison to be confined in the
Iwahig Penal Colony, however, revolted against the authorities. In Nov. 1,
1905 the Philippine commission under the authority of recognition Act 1407,
change policy by converting the Penal Colony from an institution for
incorrigibles to a colony for well behaved and declared tractable
prisoners.
 There being no walls, only mutual trust and confidence between the wards
and prison authorities keep them together.
 Today the Iwahig Penal Colony enjoys the reputation of being one of the
best open institutions the world over.
 With a Land area of 36,000 hectares, the colonies
is divided into four sub-colonies, namely, Sta Lucia
Sub-colony, Inagawan Sub-colony, Montible sub-
colony, and Central Sub-colony.
 Each institution operates a small institution under
the charge of a Penal Supervisor.
 The Iwahig Penal colony administers the
Tagumpay Settlement which is 1,000 hectares,
portion of which was divided into six (6) hectares
homestead lots, which were distributed to release
inmates who desired to live in the settlement.
 “One important feature of the Iwahig Penal Colony is the privilege
granted to colonist to have their families transported to the colony
at government expense and to live with them in the village.
 The institution maintains various community resources such as
school, churches, recreation centers, Post Exchange centers,
hospitals and clinics for the colonist and their families.
 The colonies who have there families with them are assign a piece
of land to cultivate and are encourage to raise poultry and
livestock for their personal use. Their products are sold by the
Colony Post Exchange. The principal products of the Iwahig Penal
Colony are rice, corn, logs, minor forest products and cattle.”
The Davao Penal Colony
 
This was established on Jan. 21, 1932 in
accordance with Act 3732 and Proclamation No. 414
series of 1931. The first contingent of prisoner that
opened the colony was led by General Paulino
Santos its founder and then the director of Prisons
the area consist of 18,000 hectares mostly devoted
to abaca.
 In 1942 this colony was used as a concentration camp for
American prisoners of war.
 During the war the Japanese soldiers devastated the colony,
destroying its building, machinery and industries.
 In August 1946, the colony was reestablished and restored to
its former productive activity by slow reconstruction.
 The institution is now the main source of income of the bureau
of Prisons from its vast abaca, rice and agricultural products.
 The colony has been engage in a join venture with Tagum
Development Company in a 3,000-hectares banana
plantation.
The correctional Institution for Woman
 “In 1931, the Correctional Institution was established on an
18-hectare land in Mandaluyong by authority of act 3579 which
was passed on Nov. 1929. Prior to the establishment of the
institution, female prisoner was confined in one of the wings of
bilibid prison. Letter the need for a female superintendent was
felt, so a position for a female superintendent was created in
1934.
 Today the correctional institution for women is an institution
under the Bureau of Prison with separate budgetary outlay for
they needs for female prisoners. This is the only penal institution
conduct vocational courses in dressmaking, beauty culture,
handicraft, cloth weaving and slipper making”.
The Sablayan Penal Colony and Farm
 
In 1954, there was a tremendous increase in the prison
population in the New Bilibid Prison and so the President
issued Proclamation No. 72, 1954, setting aside 16,000
hectares of the virgin land in Sablayan, Ocidental Mindoro,
for the establishment of the Sablayan Penal Colony and
Farm. At the time new bilibid Prison which can hold only
3,000 had a population of 600 prisoners. Rice is the
principal products of the colony. It is self sufficient and
raises vegetables not only for the use of the colony but
also for the inmate of the New Bilibid Prison.
 
 Leyte Regional Prison and Penal farm
On January 16, 1973, the Leyte regional
prison, was established in Abuyog to serve the
convicted offenders for more than three
years.
PRIVELEGES OF DETENTION AND SENTENCED
PRISONERS
Detainees may enjoy the following privileges:
1. To wear their own clothes while in confinement;
2. To write letter, subject to reasonable censors, provided
expenses shall be borne by them;
3. To receive visitors during daytime;
4. To receive books, letters, magazines, newspapers and
other periodicals that the jail authorities may allow.
5. To be treated by the Health Services or by their own
doctor or dentist at their own expense upon proper
application and approval.
. To be treated in a government or private hospital, provided it is
authorized by the court at their own expense.
7. To request free legal aid if available and enjoy the right to be
visited by their counsel anytime.
8. To grow hair in their customary style provided it is decent and
allowed by the rules.
9. To receive fruits prepared food, subject to inspection and
conformity by the jail officials.
10. To smoke cigarettes, except in prohibited places;
11. To read books and other reading materials available in the
jail premises; and
12. To perform such other works as may be necessary for
hygienic and sanitary
PRISON Defined:
 
- A penitentiary, an institution for the imprisonment
(incarceration) of persons convicted of major/ serious
crimes.
- A building, usually with cells, or other places
established for the purpose of taking safe custody or
confinement of criminals.
- A place of confinement for those for those
charged with or convicted of offenses against the
laws of the land.
WHO IS A PRISONER?
- 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:
a. To serve a sentence after conviction
b. Trial
c. Investigation
 ADMISSION AND CONFINEMENT OF
INMATES
• There shall be a Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC)
in every prison which shall receive, study and classify
inmates and detainees committed to the Bureau.

• Upon admission in the RDC an inmate shall be placed

in the quarantine for at least 5 days during which shall
be:
A. Given a 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 inmates shall
immediately be confined in a hospital.
B. Orientation of prison rules and regulations: and
C. Interview by a counselor, social worker and or other
program staff officers: the interview shall conducted in
private
• After
the quarantine period, the inmate shall remain in
RDC for a period of 55 days where he shall undergo
psychiatric, psychological, sociological, vocational,
educational, religious and other examination.

• Theresult of said examination shall be a basis for the

inmates individualize treatment program; thereafter,
he shall be assigned to a prison facility as maybe
recommended by the Chief of the RDC.
•The RDC shall keep a complete record of
an inmate, which shall include the
inmates personal circumstances, brief
personal social and occupational history,
the result of the intake interview and
initial security classification.
 ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS:
ADMISSION - an inmate shall be admitted in the RDC of a prison upon
presentation of the following documents:

A. Mittimus/Commitment order from the court: the Mittimus/Commitment

order shall be under the signature of the judge and shall bear the seal of the
court attested by clerk or court.
B. Information and court decision of his case
C. Certification of detention if any, and
D. Certification that the case of the inmate is not on appeal: a female inmate
shall be receive only in CIW.
 ADMISSION AND REGISTRATION PROCESS:
REGISTRATION – a prison shall keep a bound registration book
wherein all commitments shall be recorded chronologically. The
register shall contain the following entries:
A. Name of inmates
B. Reason for commitment and the authority therefore;
C. Sentence
D. Date and Hour of Admission; and
E. Date and Hour of discharge, and or transfer and basis
therefore.
•In
the admission process, after registration, the
inmate shall be taken a mug shot, front and side
by side view, fingerprinted and assigned a
permanent prison number.

•Theinmate shall be given a prescribed hair cut,

the Beards and Mustache shall be shaved-off
(Sec. 4 Chapter 2 of Part II of Correctional
Operating Manual).
•Upon admission the inmate shall be search
thoroughly. He shall be allowed to retain in his
possession only authorized articles.

•Alist of articles taken from the possession of the

inmate shall be entered in the inmates record and
receipt shall be provided to the guard in charge
thereof. The article taken from them inmate shall
be returned to them.
 ISSUANCE OF UNIFORM ETC.
The newly admitted inmate shall be given an issue of (2) two
regulations uniform/suits, and (2) two t-shirts; whenever practicable,
they shall also be issued the following items:

A. one blancket;
B. One mat;
C. One mosquito net;
D. One set mess kit; and
D. One pair of slipper.
• The inmate shall be held responsible and
accountable for the items issued to them. (Sec 9
Chapter 2 part 2 of the Correctional Operating
Manual)
General Classification of Prisoners
 
1. Detention Prisoners – those detained for investigation,
preliminary hearing, or awaiting trial. A detainee in a lock up jail. They
are prisoners under the jurisdiction of Courts.
 
2. Sentenced Prisoners – offenders who are committed to the jail
or prison in order to serve their sentence after final conviction by a
competent court. They are prisoners under the jurisdiction of penal
institutions.
 
3. Prisoners who are on Safekeeping – includes non-criminal
offenders who are detained in order to protect the community against
their harmful behavior. Ex. Mentally deranged individuals, insane
person.
 
Classification of Sentenced Prisoners:
 
1. Insular or National Prisoners
 Those sentenced to suffer a term of sentence of 3 years and 1 day to life
imprisonment.
 Those sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment cited above but
appealed the judgment and unable to file a bond for their temporary liberty.
 
2. Provincial Prisoners
 Those persons sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment from 6 months
and 1 day to 3 years or a fine not more than 1,000 pesos, or both; or Those
detained therein waiting for preliminary investigation of their cases cognizable
by the RTC.
 
3. City Prisoners
  Those sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment from 1 day
to 3 years or a fine of not more than 1,000 pesos or both.
 Those detained therein whose cases are filed with the MTC.
 Those detained therein whose cases are cognizable by the
RTC and under Preliminary Investigation.
 

4. Municipal Prisoners
  Those confined in Municipal jails to serve an imprisonment
from 1 day to 6 months.
 Those detained therein whose trials of their cases are pending
with the MTC.
Classification of Prisoners According to Degree
of Security:
 
1. 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.
 
 
2. 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 prison compound.
They are confined at the Maximum Security Prison (NBP Main
Building), they wear orange color of uniform.
Prisoners includes those sentenced to serve sentence 20 years or
more, or those whose sentenced are under the review of the
Supreme Court, and offenders who are criminally insane having
severe personality or emotional disorders that make them dangerous
to fellow offenders or staff members.
3. Medium Security Prisoners
 Those who can not be trusted in open conditions and pose
lesser danger than maximum-security prisoners in case they
escape.
 It consist of groups of prisoners who maybe 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 whose minimum sentence is less than 20
years and life-sentenced prisoners who served at least 10 years
inside a maximum security prison.
4. Minimum Security Prisoners
 A 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.
 
 
 End of discussion.
Thank you for listening.