CHAPTER 3

THE SEVEN PENAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE PHILIPPINES

HISTORY OF EARLY PRISONS

The organizational set-up of the National Bureau of Prisons and the basic laws on the Philippine Prisons system is
found in the Revised Administrative Code known as the Prison Law.
This law is specifically referred in sections 1705 to 1751 of the said code. The Prison law states that the head of the
Bureau of Prisons is the Director of Prisons who is appointed by the Chief Executive of the Philippines with
confirmation of the Commission on Appointments. The Bureau of Prisons has a general supervision and control of
National and Provincial prisons, and all penal institutions and is in-charged with the safe keeping of all prisoners
confined therein or committed to custody of the said bureau (Tradio, 1996).

Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), Department of Justice (DOJ)

The national prisons, which house more serious offenders, already convicted with a sentence of more than three
years is maintained by the Bureau of Corrections, an agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ). The bureau is
responsible for the safekeeping of prisoners and their rehabilitation through general and moral education and
technical training in industry and agriculture. The bureau also oversees the operation of prison agro-industries and
the production of food commodities.
The MATCH (7) operating Corrections located nationwide: units of the Bureau of
1. The New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City;

2. The Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City;

3. Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan;

4. Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro; 5. San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City;

5. San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.

6. Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte; and

7. Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo, Davao Province.

Detainees awaiting trial and convicts whose sentences are lower than three years are held in local facilities which are ran by two
entities.

Bilibid Prisons (Muntinlupa City) in the year 1847 the first Bilibid Prison was constructed and became the Central place of
confinement for Filipino prisoners by the virtue of the Royal Decree of the Spanish Crown. The plan for the Bilibid prisons was such
that the brigades were constructed in radical spokes of wheel form. For easy command and control, a central tower was placed
at the center of the spokes; this was made of strong adobe so sturdy that even to this day after its transfer to the City of Manila, it
still stands and has been used by the City of Manila as the City Jail.

The place is still famous for its name as the "May Haligue State" at the nearby Central Market of Manila.
This Muntilupa state was originally intended as site for the Boys' Training School
because it is far from Manila however the City Government of Manila preferred the site
of the old Bilibid Prisons. Today, the New Bilibid Prisons operate two satellite units
namely: Bukang Liwayway Camp and Camp Sampaguita. These two camps are
located a few hundred meters back of the Nemps re Prisons. Bukang Liwayway camp
houses minimum seilibid risk prisoners who work on various projects of urity Institution;
while the Camp Sampaguita houses medium security risk prisoners and located near
the Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) and the Youth Rehabilitation Center.

San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (Zamboanga City) the Spanish authorities in 1869
saw the need of establishing one prison separate from Bilibid Prison for those who
fought against the established government. In effect San Ramon and Prison Farm in
Zamboanga, were established for the confinement of political offenders. Filipino
fighters who advocated for reform against the Spanish government and those who
were not executed or put to death were sent to either Guam or Marianas Island, or to
Zamboanga. This prison institution was named after its founder Captain Ramon Blanco
of the Spanish Royal Army. One of the known Filipino political prisoners is no other than
Dr. Jose Rizal, who fought for reforms and was considered as an enemy of the Spanish
government. The San Ramon Penal Farm has an estimated area of 1,546 hectares.
IWAHIG PENAL COLONY- (Palawan) the purpose of the establishment of the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm was to
serve as an institution for incorrigibles and was envisioned by Governor Forbes who was then a Secretary of
Commerce and Police. The first contingent of prisoners was from the Bilibid Prisons to be confined in Iwahig Penal
Colony, however, these prisoners revolted against the authorities. On November 1, 1905 the Philippine Commission
under the authority of Reorganization Act 1407, changed the policy by converting the penal colony from an
institution for incorrigibles to a colony for well-behaved and declared tractable prisoners. Since were no walls, only
mutual trust and confidence between the wards and prisons authorities keep them together.

Today the Iwahig Penal Colony enjoys the reputations as one of the world open penal institutions. The Iwahig Penal
Colony has a land area of 36,000 hectares. The colony is divided into four sub-colonies namely:

a. Sta- Luisa

b. Inagawan

C. Montible and

d. Central sub- colony

The colony operates a small institution under the supervision and control of the penal supervisor. The Iwahig Penal
Colony administrates the Tagumpay Settlement and has 1,000 hectares. This portion which was divided into six
hectares homestead lots were distributed to released inmates who desired to live in the settlement.

One of the important features of the Iwahig Penal Colony is the privilege granted to every colonist to have this family
in the village. The institution maintains various community resources such as schools, churches, recreation centers;
post-exchange centers, hospitals and clinics. Their products are sold to the Post Exchange Centers.
DAVAO PRISON AND PENAL FARM (Dujali, Davao Province) was established in January 21, 1932 in
accordance with Act 3732 and Proclamation Number 414 series of 1931. The first contingent of
prisoners that opened the colony was led by General Paulino Santos, founder and then the Director
of Prisons. The area consists of 18,000 hectares, mostly devoted to abaca. In 1942 the colony was
used as a concentration camp for American prisoners of war. During the war the Japanese soldiers
devastated the colony by destroying its buildings, machineries and industry. In August 1946, the
colony was re-established and restored its former productive activity by slow reconstruction. This
institution is now the main source of income by the Bureau of Prisons from its vast products of abaca,
rice and other major agricultural products. The colony has been engaged in a joint venture with the
Tagum Development Company (TADECO) and has a land area of 3,000 hectare banana
plantations.

Correctional Institution for Women (Mandaluyong City) In 1931 the Correctional Institution for
Women was established. It has an 18 hectare piece of land in Mandaluyong Metro Manila by
authority of Act Number 3579. This was passed on November 27, 1929. Prior to the establishment of
this institution, female inmates were confined first in the Bilibid prisons. Later, the need for female
superintendent was felt that the position for female superintendent was created in 1934. Today, the
correctional institution for women is an institution under the Bureau of Prisons with separate budget
and needs for female prisoners. This is the only female prison institution in the Philippines.
STITUTIONAL CORRECTION

In September 2007, the sub-colony of the Davao Prison and Penal Farm was converted as the
satellites prison intended for the female convicted inmates outside Manila. There were 98
convicted female inmates who arrived as the first contingent. The Davao Correctional Institution
for women (CIW Mindanao) was opened through the help of some Cívic organizations of Davao
del Norte. It is the first Female prison institution in Visayas and Mindanao.

Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (Occidental Mindoro) - In 1954 there was a tremendous increases in the
population in the New Bilibid Prisons. In this situation, the President issued proclamation number 72, dated
September 27, 1954, settling aside 16,000 hectares of the virgin island in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro for the
establishment of the Sablayan Penal Farm. At that time the Bilibid Prison can only house 3,000 inmates but their
population reached to 6,000 inmates.

Leyte Regional Prison and Penal Farm (Abuyog Leyte) On January 16, 1973, the Leyte Regional Prison, was
established in Abuyog to serve the convicted offenders for more than three years.

ADMISSION, CONFINEMENTS AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF INMATES

Admission, Confinements and Classification of

inmates, is not just an administrative apparatus of control, but to harmonize the inherent disparity of class to clash
by nature of its congenital character or by its societal structure. In simple term, it is the segregation by distinction
and not by discrimination.
WHO IS THE PRISONER

The term prisoner is commonly used in law to designate a person in legal custody charged with crime or public offense. In broad
sense, any person unlawfully restrained of his liberty or unlawfully detained from his proper custody; any person who is being held in
a confinement against his will; a captive detained in a place of confinement is a prisoner.

In a narrower and more technical sense, a person deprived of his liberty by a virtue of a judicial or other lawful process; a person
committed to prison, one that is confined in prison on an action or upon commandment (People vs. Liong, 47 OG 1323).

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 Reception and Diagnostic Center an inmate shall be placed in the
quarantine for at last five (5) days during which shall be;
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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 hospital; a

b. orientation of prison rules and regulations; and c. interview by a counselor, social worker, and or other program staff officers; the
interview shall be conducted in private.

After the quarantine period, the inmate shall remain in the Reception and Diagnostic Center for a period of fifty five (55) days
where he shall undergo psychiatric, psychological, sociological, vocational, educational, religious and other examinations. The
results of said examinations shall b a basis for the inmate's individualize treatment program; thereafter, he shall be assigned to a
prison facility as maybe recommended by the Chief of the Reception and Diagnostic Center.
Admission an inmate shall be admitted in the Reception and the 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 of 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 received only in CIW.

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 the inmate;

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. The inmate 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).
Body search of every inmate's personal effects is required. Upon admission the inmate shall be searched
thoroughly. He shall be allowed to retain in his possession only authorized articles. A list of articles taken
from the possession of the inmate shall be entered
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in the inmate's record and receipt shall be provided to the guard in charge thereof. All articles taken
from the inmate shall be returned to them upon discharge unless previously disposed at the inmate's
request or ordered condemned by the prison superintendent after lapse of two (2) years.

Confiscation of Contraband Items If the inmates bring in any drugs or medicine, the medical officer
on duty shall decide on its disposition. 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
chemical that may cause injury to a person, and 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.

Confiscation of Contraband Items If the inmates bring in any drugs or medicine, the medical officer
on duty shall decide on its disposition. 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
chemical that may cause injury to a person, and 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.
Issuance of Uniform etc. The newly admitted inmate shall be given an issue of two (2) regulations
uniforms/suits, and two (2) t-shirts; whenever practicable, they shall also be issued the following items:

a. One blanket;

b. One mat;

c. One mosquito net;

d. One set mess kit; and

e. One pair of slipper.

The inmate shall be held responsible and accountable for the items issued to them (sec. 9 Chapter 2 of
part 2 of the Correctional Operating Manual).

In no case the inmates be allowed to bring in luxurious items such as air conditioners, carpets, sofa
beds, sleeping mattress, washing machine, and the like.

Wearing of Jewelry An inmate may not wear jewelry items, they may however, be allow to wear an
inexpensive watch.
CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES

In every prison institution shall have a classification board which shall classify inmates in accordance with the
Correctional Operating Manual. The board shall be composed of the following:

Chairman Superintendent

Vice-Chairman Chief Reception and Diagnostic Center

Members Medical Officer, Chief Educational Section Chief Agro- Industries Section

Secretary

The inmates shall be classified as to security status and as to entitlement to prison privilege.

Chief Overseer

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS

Sentenced Prisoners the word "sentenced" has assumed a special meaning in our statues to specially refer to judgment
rendered by the court in a criminal case. A judgment or sentence is final and executory if no appeal lies therefore

Detention prisoner - a prisoner is detained when he is placed in confinement or when there is restraint on this
person.
THE THREE GENERAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF JAIL INMATES

1. Sentence Prisoners persons who are convicted by final judgment of the crime charged against them.

2. Detention Prisoners persons who are detained for the violation of law and ordinances and have not yet been
convicted.

3. Person held for investigation or safe keeping ST RATCH FIRS

CLASSIFICATION AS TO SENTENCE

1. Municipal Jail Prisoner- One who is sentenced to

serve imprisonment from one day to six months.

2. City Jail Prisoner One who is sentenced to serve imprisonment from one day to three years.

3. Provincial Jail Prisoner One who shall served the sentence of imprisonment from six months and one day to
three years.

4. National or Insular Prisoner- One who is sentenced to a prison term from three years and one day to death
sentence
CLASSIFICATION OF INMATES AS TO SECURITY

STATUS - the inmates shall be assigned of the following security groups

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1. Maximum security- This shall include highly dangerous or super security risk inmates as determined the
classification board who are required a high degree of control and supervision. Under this category: by

i . those sentenced to death;

those whose minimum sentence is twenty years imprisonment;

iii. remand inmates or detainee whose sentence is twenty years and above, and those whose sentences are
under review by the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals;

iv. those with pending cases;

v. recidivists, habitual delinquents, and escapees;

vi. those confined at the Reception and Diagnostic Center;

vii. those under disciplinary punishment or safe keeping; and

viii those who are criminally insane or those with severe personality or emotional disorders; that make them
dangerous to fellow inmates or the prison staff.
2. Medium Security risk This shall include those who cannot be trusted in less secured areas and those whose
conduct or behavior require minimum supervision; under this category:

i. those whose minimum sentence is less than twenty years imprisonment;

ii. remand inmates or detainee whose sentence are below twenty years;

iii. those who are eighteen years of age and below; regardless of case and sentence;

iv. those who have two or more record of escapes they can be classified as medium security if they have
served
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Institutional Correction

eight years since they were recommitted and those with one record of escape must served five years, and

v. first offenders sentenced to life imprisonment, they may be classified as medium security if they have served
five years in maximum security prison or less, upon the recommendation of the superintendent. Those who were
detained in a city and or provincial jail shall not be entitled to said classification.
3. Minimum security- This shall include those who can be reasonably trusted to serve their sentence
under less restricted conditions; under this category:

i. those with a severe physical handicap as certified by the chief medical officer of the prison;

ii. those who are sixty five 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 3 of the Correctional Operating Manual; and

iv. those who have only six (6) months more to serve before the expiration of their maximum
sentence.
COLOR UNIFORM OF CLASSIFICATION TO AS SECURITY SECOND BATOH

The color of uniform of an inmate shall be based on his security classification as to:

a. Maximum security - Tangerine

b. Medium security - Blue

c. Minimum security - Brown

d. Detainee - Gray

(Correctional Operating Manual, 1998).