UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

New Site Campus Tuguegarao City,Cagayan

SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

_______________________

Name of student: ______________________________ Year/Section:___________

Subject: Institutional Correction Teacher: _______________

Module No. 1 PRELIM COVERAGE

Title: History of Correction

Overview: The corrections system will provide an overview of current institutional practices,
policies, and legal issues. The course focuses on the relation of corrections to the criminal justice
system, theories underlying correctional practice, and the role of institutions within the
corrections system. Specifically, this course provides an overview of the field of corrections. It
reviews the historical development of crime and corrections, sentencing, jails, prisons,
correctional policies, agencies, prison life, and challenges facing correctional populations. It will
further explore the principles and practices of treatment accorded to offenders in various types of
correctional settings.
Introduction:
 The Philippines is one of the many countries that came under the influence of the Roman
law. History has shown that the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent to most of
continental Europe such as Spain. Portugal, French and all of Central Europe.
 Eventually, the Spanish Civil Code became effective in the Philippines on December 7, 1889,
the “Conquistadores”. The “Kodigo Penal” (now Revised Penal Code) was also introduced
promulgated by the King of Spain. Basically, these laws adopted the Roman law principles
(Coquia, 1996).
 Mostly tribal traditions, customs and practices influenced was during the Pre-Spanish
Philippines. There were also laws that were written which includes the Code of Kalantiao
promulgated in 1433) – the most extensive and severe law that describes harsh punishment,
and the Maragtas Code ( Datu Sumakwel).

Learning Outcomes:
In the end of this module, students will be able to:
 Demonstrate competence and broad understanding in correction administration and
process on how the inmates served their sentence.
 Ensure offenders’ welfare and development for their re-integration to the community.

Learning Objectives:

The objectives of this module are:

 Understand the goals and history of institutional corrections
  To know the history of institutional correction
 To understand and explain the concept of penology and corrections, chronological
presentation of the development of correctional theories, punishment imposed in early
society, its evolution and development present set – up of the Philippine Correctional
System.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION
PRELIM COVERAGE

IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
COMPETENT AUTHORITY – refers to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Regional Trial
Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court, Sandigan
Bayan, Military Courts, House of Representatives, Senate, Commission on Elections, Bureau of
Immigration and Deportation and Board of Pardons and Parole.

CARPETA – refers to the institutional record of an inmate which consist of his

mittimus/commitment order, the prosecutor’s information and the decision of the trial court,
including the appellate court, if any.
COMMITMENT – the entrusting for confinement of an inmate to a jail by competent authority
for investigation, trial and/or service of sentence.
CORRECTIONS – is that branch of administration of criminal justice charged with
responsibility for the custody, supervision, and rehabilitation, of the convicted offender.
CLASSIFICATION – refers to the assigning or grouping of inmates according to their
sentence, gender, age, nationality, health, criminal records, etc.
– a method by which diagnosis, treatment, planning and execution of
treatment programs are coordinated to an individual.
– the process of assigning inmates to types of custody or treatment programs
appropriate to their needs.
COMMITMENT ORDER – a written order of the court or any other competent authority
consigning an offender to a jail or prison for confinement
CONTRABAND – any article, item, or thing prohibited by law and/or forbidden by jail rules.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT – the infliction of physical pain as a form of punishment
DETAINEE – person who is confined in prison pending preliminary investigation, trial or
appeal; or upon legal process issued by the competent authority. Is also defined as a person
accused before a court or competent authority who is temporarily confined in jail while
undergoing investigation, awaiting final judgment.
DETERRENCE – a crime-control strategy that uses punishment to prevent others from
committing similar crimes.
DEATH CONVICT – refers to an inmate death penalty/sentence imposed by the Regional Trial
Court is affirmed by the Supreme Court.
DIVERSIFICATION – administrative device of correctional institutions of providing varied
and flexible types of physical plants for more effective control of treatment programs of its
diversified population.
DIVERSION – establishment of alternatives to formal justice system such as deferred
prosecution, resolution of citizen’s dispute, and treatment alternative to street crimes.
DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION – a crime strategy that focuses on keeping the offenders in the
community rather than placing them in long-term institution.
ESCAPE – an act of getting out unlawfully from confinement or custody by an inmate.
– Evasion of service of sentence (Art. 157, RPC)
INSTRUMENT OF RESTRAINT – a device, contrivance, tool, or instrument used to hold
back, keep in, check, or control an inmate; e.g. hand cuffs, leg irons
INMATE – as defined in Bureau of Corrections Operating Manual) refers to a national prisoner
or one sentenced by the court to serve a maximum term of imprisonment of more than three (3)
years or to a fine of more than one thousand pesos (P1, 000.00); or regardless of the length of the
sentence imposed by the court, to one sentenced for violation of the Customs Law or other laws
within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs or enforceable by it, or violation of immigration
and election laws; Unless otherwise indicated, “inmate” shall also refer to a “detainee.”
JAIL – a place of confinement for inmates under investigation, awaiting or undergoing trial or
serving sentence. It is also defined as a building or place of confinement of arrested or sentenced
persons. It is usually made up of cells which are made up of small rooms or enclosures where
prisoners are actually kept or confined (People vs. Caricaban, 13672-CR, Sept. 9, 1965)
MITTIMUS – a warrant issued by a court bearing its seal and the signature of the judge,
directing the jail or prison authorities to receive inmates for custody or service of sentence
imposed therein.
PENANCE – an ecclesiastical punishment inflicted by an ecclesiastical court for some spiritual
offense.

PENAL SERVITUDE – a punishment, which consist of keeping an offender in confinement

and compelling him to labor.

PENALTY – is the suffering that is inflicted by the state for the transgression of the law.

PENITENTIARY – a prison, correctional institution, or other place of confinement where

convicted felons are sent to serve out the term of their sentence.
PENOLOGY – a branch of criminology, which deals with management and administration of
inmates. Also refers to the science of prison management and rehabilitation of criminals
PRISON – a public building or other place for the confinement of person, whether as a
punishment imposed by the law or otherwise in the course of the administration of justice. As
defined in the Bureau of Corrections Operating Manual, it also refers to a penal establishment
under the control of the Bureau of Corrections and shall include the New Bilibid Prison, the
Correctional Institution for Women, Leyte Regional Prison, and the Davao, San Ramon,
Sablayan, and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farms.
PRISON RECORD – refers to information containing an inmate’s personal circumstances, the
offense he committed, the sentence imposed, the criminal case numbers in the trial appellate
courts, the date he commenced service of his sentence, the date he was received for confinement,
the place of confinement, the date of expiration of his sentence, the number of previous
conviction, if any, and his behavior and conduct while in prison.
PRISONER – an inmate who is convicted by final judgment and classified as insular,
provincial, city, or municipal prisoner.
PUNISHMENT – infliction of some sort of pain on the offender for violating the law.
REHABILITATION – a program of activity directed to restore an inmate’s self-respect thereby
making him a law-abiding citizen after serving his sentence. It aims to change an offender’s
character, attitude or behavior patterns so as to diminish his or her criminal propensities.
SAFEKEEPING – the temporary custody of a person for his own protection, safety, or care;
and/or his security from harm, injury or danger for the liability he has committed.
DETERMINATE SENTENCE – a fixed period of incarceration imposed on the offender by
the court.
INDETERMINATE SENTENCE – sets minimum and maximum period of incarceration.
PENOLOGY – study of punishment of crime or of criminal offenders. It includes the study of
control and prevention of crime through punishment of criminal offenders.
 - The term derived from the Latin word “poena” which means pain or suffering.
Penology is otherwise known as Penal Science.

PENAL MANAGEMENT – refers to the manner or practice of managing or controlling places

of confinement as jails or prisons.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE ON CORRECTIONS

13TH Century – Securing Sanctuary

In the 13th century a criminal could avoid punishment by claiming refugee in a church for
a period of 40 days, at the end of which time he is compelled to leave the realm by a road or path
assigned to him.

16th Century – Transportation of criminals in England was authorized. At the end of the 16 th
century Russia and other European countries followed this system. It partially relieved
overcrowding of prisons. Transportation was abandon in 1826.

17th Century to late 18th Century – Death penalty became prevalent as a form of punishment.

EARLY CODES
1. Code of Hammurabi (Hammurabic Code) – Babylon, about 1750, credited as the
oldest code prescribing savage punishment, but infact Sumerian codes were nearly
hundred years older.
The code of Hammurabi has found its way in the:
1.1. Manama Dharma of India
1.2. Hermes Trismegitus of Egypt
1.3. Mosaic Code in the Bible
2. Justinian Code – written by Emperor Justinian of Rome in 6 th C.A.D. this was an effort
to match a desirable amount of punishment to all possible crimes. However the law did
not survive due to the fall of the Roman Empire but left a foundation of Western legal
codes.

3. The Twelve Tables (XII Tabulae) – represented the earliest codification of Roman law
incorporated into the Justinian Code. It is the foundation of all public and private law of
romans until the time of Justinian. It is also a collection of legal principles engraved on
metal tablets and set up on the forum.
4. Code of Draco – in Greece, a harsh code that provides the same punishment for both
citizens and the slaves as it incorporates primitive concepts (Vengeance, blood Feuds).
The Greeks were the first society to allow any citizen to prosecute the offender in the
name of the injured party.
5. Burgundian Code – the code w/c is specified punishment according to the social class of
offenders.
6. Code of Kalantiao – promulgated in 1433 by Datu Kalantiao
7. Maragtas Code – by Datu Sumakwel
EARLY PRISONS
1. Mamertine Prison (Mamertinus Prison) – early Roman place of confinement which is
built under the main sewer of Rome in 64 B.C. by Ancus Maritius
2. Bridewell Workhouse – the most popular workhouse that built in 1557 in London for
the employment and housing of English prisoners.
3. Wallnut Street Jail – w/c was originally constructed as a detention jail in Philadelphia
was converted into a state prison and became the first American Penitentiary.
4. Hospicio De San Michelle- first home for delinquent boys ever established
-built by Pope Clement XI in Rome for housing Incorrigible
Youths under 20 years of age.
5. Dartmoor Prison- house of halfway to hell located in the Princetown, Devonshire,
England and was originally constructed to house French Prisoners
6. Gaols- forerunner of the word Jail. It is a pretrial detention facility operated by the
English sheriffs in England during the 17th-18th Century
7. Galleys- long, low, narrow, single decked ships propelled by sails, usually rowed by
criminals.
-a type of ship used for transportation of criminals in the 16th century
8. Hulks- decrepit transport, former warships used to house prisoners in the 18 th and 19th
century.
-abandoned warships converted into prisons, also called “floating hells”.
9. Alcatraz Prison- it was operated in 1934 and was closed on March 21, 1963 because it
was too costly. During that time, it had 260 inmates

THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT 1870-1880

- 18th century is a century of change, the period of recognizing human dignity.

SOME IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES IN THE HISTORY OF CORRECTIONS

WILLIAM PENN – founder of Pennsylvania and leader of the English Quakers. Before
he conceived the idea of Pennsylvania, he became the leading defender of religious
toleration of England. He was imprisoned six times for speaking out courageously. While
in prison, he wrote one pamphlet after another which gave quakers literature and attacked
intolerance. In 1682, he legislated the Quaker’s “Great Law” – a more or quite humane
law compared with harsh colonial codes in force at the time as a punishment for serious
crime. In 1718, one day after his death, Quaker code gave way to English Anglican Code,
a harsher code.

POPE CLEMENT XI – in 1704 he built Hospice of San Michelle – a reformatory from

delinquent boys used to this date. He placed an inscription over the door. It is insufficient
to restrain the wicked by punishment them virtuous by corrective discipline.
CHARLES LOUIS de SECONDAT, BARON DELA BREDE ET DE MONTESQUIEU
(1689-1755) – he inherited the seat in the Parliament of Bordeaux, France, and was active
in politics and writing for most of his life. By far, his most influential work is “On the
Spirit of the Laws – 1748”, which presented his analysis the nature believed that harsh
punishment would undermine morality and that appealing to moral sentiment was better
means of preventing crime. He was credited to have introduced the idea of “separation of
powers” in the government to the following executive, for the enforcement of laws;
legislative for the making of laws, and the interpretation and scrutiny of laws.

FRANCOIS MARIE AROUET (pen name VOLTAIRE) 1694-1778 – a French author

and philosopher who believed that fear of shame is a deterrent to crime. He was born on
November 21, 1694 in Paris, whose wit, intelligence and keen sense of justice made him
one of France’s greatest writers and philosophers. He was however an ardent critic of
church, as such, Voltaire was denied burial church ground.

DENNIS DESIDEROT (1718-1784) – French encyclopedic and philosopher whose

encyclopedia became a force for a change in the 18th century. Like Montesquieu and
Votaire, he was also imprisoned from denouncing orthodox religion in his work “Letters
from the Blind”.

CESARE BONESANA MARCHESE DI BECCARIA (1738-1794) – founder of the

Classical School of Criminology. As a Milanese lawyer, published short treaties “On
Crimes and Punishments” at the age of 26. It was the most exciting essay on law of the
18th century.

JEREMY BENTHAM – devised the Panopticon Inspection House.

UTILITARIANISM – a principle introduced by Jeremy Bentham claiming that
individuals put every situation into an equation to determine the pleasure from the
commission of a crime and pain that will sustain be as a consequence. Law should be
used to inflict enough pain to offenders for them to cease from committing crime.
SIR SAMUEL ROMILY (1757-1818) – a follower of Bentham who pressed for the
construction of the first modern English prison, the Milbank Prison in 1816.

JEAN JACQUES VILAIN – in 1773, he built the Maison de Foce (stronghouse). He is

one of the first who developed the system of classification of inmates. He defined
discipline by the biblical rule “if any man will not work, neither let him eat”.

JOHN HOWARD (1726-1790) – shocked by the condition he found in hulks. He pressed

for legislation to alleviate and improve said conditions in 1773. In 1777 by his work State
of Prisons, Parliament passed the Penitentiary Act providing 4 principles for reform: (1)
secure a sanitary structure (2) systematic inspection (3) abolition of fees (4) a reformatory
regime. He pioneered the concept of penitentiary and devoted his life and fortune to
prison reform while serving as Sheriff of Bedfordshire.
 MANUEL MONTESIMOS – Director of Prisons in Valencia Spain in 1835. he divided
prisoners into companies and appointed prisoners as petty in charge; allowed reduction of
the inmates sentence by 1/3 for good behavior; offered trade to prepare the convicts for
return to society.

DOMETS OF FRANCE – in 1839, he established an agricultural colony for delinquent

boys, providing house fathers-in-charge. He concentrated on re-education. Upon their
discharge, the boys were placed under the supervision of a patron.

CAPTAIN ALEXANDER MACONOCHIE (1840) – Superintendent of a penal colony in

Norfolk Island (known as “Hellhole” – for those who were twice condemned.
Maconochie replaced flat sentencing with “Mark System”, (a progressive humane system
to substitute for corporal punishment, wherein prisoners where required to earn number
of marks based on proper department, labor and study in order to entitle him to a “ticket
of leave” or conditional release – a precursor of parole. He also introduced other
progressive measures such as fair disciplinary traits, building of churches, distributing
books and permitting prisoners to tend small gardens.

JOHN AUGUSTUS (1785-1859) – The Father of Probation”

On 1841, the Boston shoemaker started his voluntary service by bailing out drunkards who
could not pay fines and requesting courts for temporary suspension or postponement of
sentence for those whom he judged were ready to quit alcohol afterwards he would report to
the court regarding the progress of the offenders under his supervision. He bailed out almost
2, 000 men, women and children and out of the 1, 100, only one forfeited a bond.

SIR WALTER CROFTON of Ireland – on 1854, he was the director of Irish Prison who
introduced IRISH SYSTEM which was later called PROGRESSIVE STAGE SYSTEM
actually a modification of Maconochie’s Mark System.

ZEBULONS REED BROCKWAY (1827-1920) – along with Enoch C. Wines and

Franklin Benjamin Sanborn (composed the big 3’s of penology in 1870). Brockway
introduced new institutional programs for boys 16 to 23 of age, adopting Maconochie’s
and Croftonic system.

ELMIRA REFORMATORY – is considered the forerunner of modern penology because

it had all the elements of a modern correctional system; school type/compulsory
education; casework method; extensive use of parole based on the indeterminate
sentence. This introduced a grading system to prisoners, (1) new prisoners are 2nd grade
(2) 1st grade after six months of good behavior (3) another six months – qualified for
parole. In case of misconduct, demoted to 3rd grade.

SIR EVELYN RUGGLES BRISE – in 1897, after visiting Elmira, he opened borstal
institution based entirely on the individual treatment. Today, it is considered as the best
reform institution for young offenders.

DAVID FOGEL (1976) – Justice Model Black to Classical School.

PUNISHMENT
- It is the redress that the state takes against an offending member of society that usually
involve pain and suffering.

ANCIENT FORMS:
1. Death Penalty - affected by burning, beheading, hanging, breaking at the wheels, pillory
and other forms of medieval executions.
2. Physical Torture- affected by maiming, mutilation, whipping and other inhumane or
barbaric forms of inflicting pain.
3. Social Degradation- putting the offender into shame or humiliation
4. Banishment or Exile- the sending or putting away of an offender w/c was carried out
either by prohibition against coming into a specified territory such as an island to where
the offender has been removed.
5. Other similar form of punishment like transportation and Slavery

CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF PUNISHMENT

1. Imprisonment- putting the offender in prison for the purpose of protecting the public
against criminal activities and at the same time rehabilitating the prisoners by requiring to
undergo institutional treatment programs.
2. Parole- a conditional release of a prisoner after serving part of his/her sentence in prison
for the purpose of gradually re-introducing him/her to free life under the guidance and
supervision of a parole officer.
3. Probation- a disposition whereby a defendant after conviction of an offense, the penalty
of w/c does not exceed six years imprisonment, is released subject to the conditions
imposed by the releasing court and under the supervision of a probation officer.
4. Fine- an amount given as a compensation for a criminal act.
5. Destierro- the penalty of banishing a person from the place where he committed a crime,
prohibiting him to get near or enter the 25-kilometer perimeter

JUSTIFICATION OF PUNISHMENT:
1. Retribution- the punishment should be proved by the state whose sanction is violated, to
afford the society or the individual the opportunity of imposing upon the offender
suitable punishment as might be enforced. Offenders should be punished because they
deserve it.
2. Expiation or Atonement- it is punishment in the form of group vengeance where the
purpose is to appease the offended public or group.
3. Deterrence- punishment gives lesson to the offender by showing to others what would
happen to them if they violate the law
4. Incapacitation and Protection- the public will be protected if the offender has being
held in conditions where he cannot harm others specially the public. Punishment is
effected by placing offenders in prison so that society will be ensured from further
criminal depredations of criminals.
5. Reformation and Rehabilitation- is the establishment of the usefulness and
responsibility of the offender.

METHODS OF DEATH PENALTY EXECUTED IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. GARROTE- gradual constriction or tightening of metal placed around the neck to crush
it and snap out the air breath. Remember GOMBURZA in 1872.

2. MUSKETRY or FIRING SQUAD where volleys of fire are directed against the
condemned individual. Dr. Jose Rizal, was executed by musketry. Drug Lord Lim Seng was
executed by firing squad during Martial Law.

3. BEHEADING- chopping off the head from the body or torso

4. HANGING- death by extrangulation. Placing a rope around the neck and the body will
be suspended from a platform.

5. ELECTRIC CHAIR- strong electrical current will pass through the body.

6. LETHAL INJECTION- While the 1987 Constitution abolished death sentence,

however, Congress in 1996 passed RA 7659 as amended by RA 8177 that imposes death
penalty for heinous crime by lethal injection. Leo Echegaray was the first Filipino to die by
lethal injection. RA 9346 abolished death penalty in 2008.

OTHER FORMS OF EXECUTION

q STONING
- It is a form of execution wherein the condemned person is pelted with stones.

q BEHEADING
- A form of capital punishment practice in ancient Greece and Europe, the punishment
is reserved for offender of high rank and for notorious criminals. The condemned
man’s neck is placed on the wooden curved specifically designed for the purpose.
Most often, the doomed-man is black hooded with both hands tied at the back before
his head is positioned at the chopping black. At a given signal the head is axed and
the severed head fall on the trunk provided therefore. Today, beheading continues to
be the method of executions for capital punishment in many Muslim countries
including China.

q CRUCIFIXION
- A person convicted to death was nailed on the cross with both hands and feet to add
ignominy to his agony and humiliation. He was crowned with the specter of spines of
vines in his head. Then the Roman pears were thrusts to his flesh body and died of
asphyxiation.
q BURNING AT STAKE
- Form of execution wherein the convict is tied in pole and then set on fire alive.
q FEEDING TO THE LIONS
- The offender is thrown in a lion’s den.

q PILLORY
- Bouvier’s dictionary defines pillory as a wooden machine, in which the neck of the
doomed culprit is inserted thereof and usually executed in public as a means of
punishing offenders in Europe and Colonial America.
- Pillory is a wooden frame with three (3) curved holes in it (two for the left and right
wrists and the middle curved hole is for the neck) and mounted on the post upon a
platform. The condemned man is left to die at the mercy of unfriendly weather. Other
similar form with holes for the offender’s feet is called a STOCK.

q DECAPITATION
- Derived from the Latin word “DE” meaning FROM, and “CAPUT” meaning a
HEAD. Instead of using an axe, the method employed is by use of a sword and the
practice is widespread in China and Muslim States.

q FLAGELLATION
- An X-designed log were cross-joined and declined at 65 degrees backward. The
hooded doomed-man was tied on the cross-x with both hands spread upward while
the feet were spread apart. The con-man is bare naked except in the skimpy short
pants.
- The whipping rod is made of stripped hard leather with brass button in laid across and
embedded at the tips. At the given signal, six men will whip 30 lashes each
alternately and will continue, except upon the intercession of the victim or the State.
This intervention of the aggrieved party to stop is tantamount to pardon and the man
shall be released to freedom.

q GARROTE
- An iron collar attached upon a scaffold formerly used in Spain and Portugal. The
convict is seated on the improvised chair with both hands and feet tied. Then, the
victim’s neck is placed on the collar attached to it, finally, the iron collar is slowly
tightened by the screw at the back chair by the executioner until the death convict is
pronounced dead.
- This method of execution was abolished in the Philippines by virtue of Act 451.

q GUILLOTINE
- A device for cutting-off people’s head developed in 1972 by Dr. Joseph Ignacio
Guillotin, a member of the French National Assembly, he proposed that all executions
must be uniform and painless.

q ELECTRIC CHAIR
- The convict is seated on a chair made of electrical conducting materials with strap of
electrodes on wrist, ankle and head. Upon orders, the levers will be pulled-up and the
 fatal volts of alternating current pas the body until the convict dies. If ever the convict
is still alive, the lever shall be pulled again until he is pronounced dead.

q HANGING
- Mostly, the execution is conducted at dawn. The executioner will place a cloth over
his head. Steel weights are strapped to the legs of the death convict to ensure that
he/she will die quickly. Then the rope will be placed around the neck of the convict,
and finally, the platform will be removed.

q MUSKETRY
- Most often, the convict is black hooded with hands tied and may face or snub the
firing squad.

q GAS CHAMBER
- Invented after World War I by a medical Corp’s Officer of the US Army as an
alternative to electric chair. In medical term, the convict will die from HYPOXIA
which means death due to the cutting-off of oxygen in the brain.

q LETHAL INJECTION
- Developed in 1924 by an anesthesiologist in Nevada. Components of chemicals used
in Lethal Injection are: Non-lethal Dose/SODIUM THIOPENTAL – a sleep inducing
barbiturate commonly used in surgery to put the patient asleep; Lethal
Dose/PANCURONIUM BROMIDE – a drug capable of paralyzing the muscles;
POTASSIUM CHLORIDE – capable of stopping heartbeat within seconds, this is
commonly used in Heart-by-pass operations.

SCHOOLS OF PENOLOGY
1. Classical School – the doctrine of psychological hedonism or freewill.
2. Neo-Classical School – children and lunatics must be free from punishment.
3. Positivist/Italian School – denied individual responsibility and reflected on positive
reactions to crime and criminality.

THE REFORMATORY MOVEMENT

1. Alexander Maconochie- he is the Superintendent of the penal colony at Norfolk
Island in Australia (1840) who introduced the “Mark System”. A system in which a
prisoners is required to earn a number of marks based on proper department, labor
and study in order to entitle him for a ticket for leave or conditional release which is
similar to parole. He also the father of parole.
MACONOCHIES MARK SYSTEM CONSISTS OF 5 STAGES
 Strict custody upon admission to the penal colony
 Work on government gangs
 Limited freedom on the island within a prescribed area
 Ticket of leave
 Full restoration of liberty
 2. Manuel Montesimos- the director of prisons in Valencia Spain (1835) who divide
the number of prisoners into companies and appointed certain prisoners a s petty
officer in charge, which allowed good behavior to prepare the convict for gradual
release.

3. Domets of France- established an agricultural colony or delinquent boys in 1839

providing housefathers as in charge of these boys.

4. Sir Evelyn Ruggies Brise- the director of the English prison who opened the Borstal
Institution for young offenders. The Borstal Institution is considered as the best
reform institution for young offenders today.

5. Walter Crofton- Director of the Irish Prison in 1835 that was modified from the
Macanochie’s Mark System. He also the father of Irish System/ Progressive Stage
System

6. Zebulon Brockway- Father of Prison Reform. He is the Diector of Elmira

Reformatory in NY who introduced innovational programs such as; Training School
Type, Education of Prisoners and Extensive use of Parole. Elmira Reformatory is
the forerunner of modern penology because it had all the elements of a modern
system.

7. Elizabeth Fry- she first recognize that women prisoners need rights. She proposed
that women, not men should supervise female prisoners.

TWO RIVAL PRISON SYSTEM

A. The Auburn Prison System

- “Congregate System” where prisoners are confined in their own cells during the night
and congregate work in shops during the day.
B. The Pennsylvania Prison Systems
- “Solitary System” where prisoners are confined in single cells day and night
> In both prison system, complete silence was being enforced.

EVOLUTION OF PRISON SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES

 The Philippines is one of the many countries that came under the influence of the Roman
law. History has shown that the Roman Empire reached is greatest extent to most of
continental Europe such as Spain Portugal, French and all of Central Europe.
 Eventually, the Spanish Civil Code became effective in the [Link] December 7, 1889,
the “Conquistadores”. The Kodigo Penal now RPC was also introduced promulgated by
the King of Spain. Basically, these laws adopted the Roman law principles (Coquia,1996)
 Most tribal traditions, customs and practices influenced was during the pre-Spanish Phils.
There were also laws that were written w/c includes the Code of Kalantiao promulgated
 in 1933—the most extensive and several laws that describes harsh punishment, and the
Maragtas Code by Datu Sumakwell

EARLY PRISONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

 In 1847, the first Bilibid Prison was constructed and became the central place of
confinement for Filipino Prisoners by virtue of the Royal Decree of the Spanish crown.
 In 1956, the City of Manila exchanges its Muntinlupa property w/ the Bureau of Prisons
originally intended as a site for boys training school. Today, the old Bilibid is now being
used as the Manila City Jail, famous as the “ May Halique Estate”.
 BUREAU OF CORRECTION RA10575
Bureau of prisons was renamed BuCor under executive order 292 passed during
the Aquino Administration. It states that the head of BuCor is the Director of Prisons who is
appointed by the President of the Phils w/ the confirmation of the Commission of Appointments.
The BuCor has general supervision and control of all national prisons or
penitentiaries. It is under the DOJ and headed by the Director of Corrections, who is authorized
to exercise command, control and direction of the following prison facilities and staff offices.
Coverage under BuCor:
1. National Bilibid Prison (Muntinlupa Rizal)
 NBP Main Building
 Camp Sampaguita (Medium Security)
 Camp Bukang Liwayway (Minimum Security)
2. Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC)
3. Correctional institution for Women (Mandaluyong)

UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

New Site Campus Tuguegarao City,Cagayan
SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

_______________________

Name of student: ______________________________ Year/Section:___________

Subject: Institutional Correction Teacher: _______________

Module No. 1 MIDTERM COVERAGE

Title: Definition of Correction

Overview: The corrections system will provide an overview of current institutional practices,
policies, and legal issues. The course focuses on the relation of corrections to the criminal justice
system, theories underlying correctional practice, and the role of institutions within the
corrections system. Specifically, this course provides an overview of the field of corrections. It
reviews the historical development of crime and corrections, sentencing, jails, prisons,
correctional policies, agencies, prison life, and challenges facing correctional populations. It will
further explore the principles and practices of treatment accorded to offenders in various types of
correctional settings.
Introduction:
 CORRECTION is a branch of the Criminal Justice System concerned with the
custody, supervision and rehabilitation of criminal offenders. It is considered to
be the weakest pillar of the criminal justice in the Philippines. Why? Because of
its failure to deter individuals in committing crimes as well as the reformation of
criminal offenders. The purpose of correction is to ensure that an offender’s
sentence is carried out, whether it’s time in jail or prison, probation, or
community service.

Learning Outcomes:
In the end of this module, students will be able to:
 Demonstrate competence and broad understanding in correction administration and
process on how the inmates served their sentence.
 Ensure offenders’ welfare and development for their re-integration to the community.

Learning Objectives:

The objectives of this module are:

 Understand the goals and history of institutional corrections
 To know the history of institutional correction
 To understand and explain the concept of penology and corrections, chronological
presentation of the development of correctional theories, punishment imposed in early
society, its evolution and development present set – up of the Philippine Correctional
System.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

 INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION
MIDTERM COVERAGE

CORRECTION is a branch of the Criminal Justice System concerned with the custody,
supervision and rehabilitation of criminal offenders. It is considered to be the weakest pillar of
the criminal justice in the Philippines. Why? Because of its failure to deter individuals in
committing crimes as well as the reformation of criminal offenders. The purpose of correction is
to ensure that an offender’s sentence is carried out, whether it’s time in jail or prison, probation,
or community service.

CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION – the study and practice of a system management of

jails or prisons and other institution concerned with the custody, treatment and rehabilitation of
criminal offenders.
2 KINDS OF CORRECTIONS; (A) Institution Based Correction and (B) Community
Based Correction
Both are being implemented by three departments of executive branch of the government
such as:
1. Department of Justice- manages the national prisoners through its offices
1.1. Bureau of Corrections- w/ a principal task of the rehabilitation of
prisoners so they become useful members of the society upon completion of
their service of sentence.
1.2. Board of Pardon and Parole- recommends to the President the prisoner
who are qualified for parole, pardon or other forms of executive clemency in
the form of reprieve, commutation sentence, conditional pardon and absolute
pardon.
1.3. Parole and Probations Administration- conducts Post sentence
investigation of petitioners of probation as referred by the courts, as well as
pre parole, pre executive clemency investigation to determine the suitability of
the offender to be reintegrated in the community instead of serving their
sentenced inside an institution or prison.

2. Department of the Interior and Local Government RA 6975- manages inmates who are
undergoing investigation, awaiting trial, awaiting final judgment and those who are in convicted
by imprisonment of up to three years under this department are:
2.1. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology- has jurisdiction over all
municipal, city and district jails nationwide
2.2. Provincial jail Government Unit-operates overall provincials
2.3. Philippine National Police (lockup jail)- maintains detention facilities
 in its different police stations.

2. Department of Social Welfare and Development- operates regional rehabilitation centers

and assumes responsibility for the restorative part of the correction system by maintaining
centers for the care and restoration of abused women and children who are in conflict with
the law (CICL). We have ten (10) Regional Youth Rehabilitation Center nine of which are
for boys and of the nine centers for boys one is the national training school for boys which
also happens to be the largest RRCY and this is located in Sampaloc, Tanay Rizal and it
caters to youth offenders coming Regions IV, V and NCR while only one for the girls
wherein the national training school for the girls located at Manila Hills, Alabang Metro
Manila. Ten Regional Youth Rehabilitation Center are the following:

REGION LOCATION
Region I, II and Cordillera Barangay Urayong, Bauang, Launion
Region III Barangay Ayala, Magalang, Pampanga
Region VI Nueva Valencia in the island province of Guimaras
Region VII Barangay Candabong, Argao, Cebu
Region VIII Barangay Sto. Niño, Leyte
Region IX Barangay Aastacio, Polanco, Dipolog, Zamboanga Del Norte
Region X Gingoog City
Region XI Barangay Bago, Oshiro, Davao City
Are sent either to Dipolog, Gingoog, or Davao depending on
CARAGA Region
which is most accessible.

JAIL- it is a place for locking-up of persons who are convicted of minor offenses or felonies
who are to serve a short sentences imposed upon them by a competent court, or for
confinement of persons who are awaiting trial or investigation of their cases.
Jail Penitentiary Concept came from the Latin word “paenitentia” meaning penitence, and was
coined by an English prison reformer John Howard. It referred to a place where crime sin
may be stoned for and penitence produced.
Jail exists for three purposes:
1. Temporary holding of persons who are awaiting trial in court but who cannot afford bail
2. Those who are charged of capital offenses whose evidence is strong
3. Those serving short sentence for minor crimes or for a period of imprisonment for less
than three years.

TYPES OF JAIL:
1. Lock-up Jail- is a security facility, common to police stations, used for temporary
confinement of an individual held for investigation.
 2. Ordinary Jail- is the type of jail commonly used to detain a convicted criminal offender
to serve sentence less than three years.
3. Workhouses, Jail Farms or camp- a facility that houses minimum custody offenders
who are serving short sentences or those who are undergoing constructive work programs. It
provides full employment of prisoners, remedial services and constructive leisure time
activities.

PRISONER- a person who is under the custody of lawful authority.

-is any person detained/confined in jail or prison for the commission of a criminal
offense or convicted or serving in a penal institution.
- a person who by a reason of his criminal sentence or by a decision issued by a court,
may be deprived of his liberty or freedom.

Classification of Prisoners:
1. Detention Prisoner- those detained for investigation, preliminary hearing or awaiting
trial. A detainee in lock-up jail they are prisoners under the jurisdiction of courts.

2. Sentenced Prisoner- offenders who are committed to the jail or prison in order to
serve their sentence after final conviction by competent courts. They are prisoners under
jurisdiction of penal institution.

Classifications (PD29)
2.1. Insular or National Prisoners- 3yrs and 1day to life imprisonment. Unable
to file a bond for their temporary liberty
2.2. Provincial Prisoners- 6months and 1day to 3yrs., not more than 1000 pesos.
Those detained therein waiting for preliminary investigation of their cases
cognizable by the RTC.
2.3. City Prisoners- 1day to 3yrs., not more than 1000 pesos. Those detained
therein whose cases are filled w/ the MTC. Those detained therein waiting for
preliminary investigation of their cases cognizable by the RTC and under
preliminary investigation.
2.4. Municipal Prisoners- 1day to 6months. Those detained therein whose trials
of their cases pending w/ the MTC.

3. Prisoners who are on safekeeping- includes non-criminal offenders who are detained in
order to protect the community against their harmful behavior.

Classification of Prisoners Accdg. to Degree of Security

A special group of prisoners composed of incorrigible, attractable, and highly dangerous
persons who are the source of constant disturbances even in maximum security prison.
 Minimum Security Prisoners
Maximum Security Prisoners Medium Security Prisoners
[Camp Bukang Liwayway]
(ORANGE) [Camp Sampaguita]
(BROWN)
(BLUE)

 20yrs minimum sentence  w/ less tha 20 yrs  w/ serve physical

sentence handicap
 Sentence under review,
under appeal, recidivist,  18y/o and below, have  65 years old and above
habitual delinquent 2 or more escape but
serve 8yrs since
recommitment  Serve at least ½ of
 Criminally insane or under minimum sentence
RDC
 Those w/ one record  Serve 1/3 of maximum
 Escapees, under escape but serve at sentence excluding GCTA
disciplinary punishment least 5yrs since
recommitment
 w/ only 6months to serve
 Those sentence to life before expiration of
imprisonment but sentence.
serve at least 5yrs as
maximum security.

BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP)

CREATION OF BJMP RA 6975

 Otherwise known as the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990
provide the task of jail management and penology shall be the responsibility of the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
 The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was created pursuant to Republic Act
6975 signed on December 13,1990 and became known as the DILG Act of 1990.
 On December 10,1974, Presidential Decree no. 603 otherwise known as the Child and
Youth Welfare Code of 1974 was promulgated. This Code became the magna Carta for
Children and was the first in the entire ASEAN region. Before P.D.603 went into effect,
however, there is already a long existing law covering the probationary treatment of
juveniles in conflict with the law.
  This is Commonwealth Act no. 3203 that went into effect on December 3,1924. This is
the first youth offenders law of the land this law established the Welfare Institutions,
which took responsibility of taking charge of all government child-caring institutions,
Home for the Aged and Infirm as well the Philippine training School for Boys. They were
put under the supervision of the office of Public Welfare Commission.
 The BJMP exercises supervision and control over all cities and municipal jails throughout
the country. The enactment of Republic Act. No. 6975 created the BJMP. It operates as a
line bureau under the Department of the Interior and Local government (DILG).
 Republic Act 9263 Professionalization Act of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
amending certain provision of RA6975.
 On January 2, 1991 the bjmp was created thru RA6975 as a line bureau under DILG, the
jail bureau is the upgraded version of its forerunner, the office of the jail management and
penology of the defunct PC/INP as mandated by law, the bjmp shall operate under
reorganized DILG.
 Starting from 500 personnel in 1991 the bjmp weaned from its mother PC/INP as a mere
component to become full-fledge bureau. Director Charles Mondejar took his oath of
office on July 1, 1991 as the first chief of the bureau.

MANDATE: the BJMP exercises administrative and operational jurisdiction

overall district, city and municipal jails. It is a line bureau of the
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)

VISION: the BJPM envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded for
its sustained humane safekeeping abd development of inmates.

MISSION: the Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane

safekeeping and development of inmates in all district, city and
municipal jails.

RANK CLASSIFICATION OF BJMP

RANK APPOINTING POSITION/TITLE

AUTHORITY

JOI to SJO IV Regional Director Jail Guards

 Jail Inspector to Jail
Chief BJMP Warden
Superintendent

Jail Senior Superintendent DILG Secretary Asst. Director

Jail Chief Superintendent to Jail President Chief of BJMP

Director

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsible for the direction, coordination, and control of the jail.

This includes the security, safety, discipline and well-being of
inmates. The office of the warden may organize the following units:
Warden  intelligence & investigation team
 jail inspectorate section
 public relation office

The asst. warden is the chairman of the Classification Board and

Assistant Warden Disciplinary Board. The office of the asst. warden undertakes the
development of a systematic process of treatment.

Take charge of all administrative functions of the jail bureau.

 Personnel Management Branch
 Records and Statistics Branch
 Property and Supply Branch
Administrative
 Budget and Finance Branch
Groups  Mess Service Branch
 General Service Branch
 Mittimus Computing Branch

Provides a system of sound custody, security and control of inmates

and their movements and also responsible to enforce prison or jail
Security
 discipline.
 Escort Platoon composed: escort section and subpoena
section
Groups  Security Platoon 3 working platoon shifts responsible for
overall security of the jail compound; gates, guard posts and
towers. Also responsible of admitting & releasing unit.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES

WARDEN - is responsible for the Direction, Coordination, and control of the jail. This includes
the Security, safety, discipline and well-being of inmates. The office of the
warden may organize the following units:
1. Intelligence and investigation Team – It gathers, collates and submits
intelligence information to the office of the warden on matter regarding the jail
condition.
2. Jail inspectorate Section – inspect jail facilities, personnel and prisoners and
submit reports to the warden.
3. Public Relation Office – Maintain public relation to obtain the necessary and
adequate public support.

ASSISTANT WARDEN The office of the Assistant Warden undertakes the development of a
systematic process of treatment. The Assistant Warden is the Chairman of the
classification Board and Disciplinary Board.

ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS The administrative groups take charge of all administrative

functions of the jail bureau.

1. Personnel Management Branch – Assistant of personnel, Procedures of

selection, Preparation of personnel reports, Individual record file.
2. Records and Statistics Branch – Keep and maintain booking sheets and arrest
reports, Keep an orderly record of fingerprints and photographs, Present/Prepare
statistical data of inmates.
3. Property and Supply Branch – Take charge of the safekeeping of equipment
and supplies and materials needed for the operation of the jail.
 4. Budget and Finance Branch – Take charge of all financial matters such as
budgeting, financing, accounting, and auditing.
5. Mess Service Branch – take charge of the preparation of the daily menu,
prepares and cook the food and serve it to inmates.
6. General Service Branch – Responsible for the maintenance of the daily menu,
prepares and cooks the food and serve it to inmates.
7. Mittimus Computing Branch – Tasked to receive court decisions and
compute the date of the full completion of the service of sentence of inmates. A
mittimus is a warrant issued by court directing the jail or prison authorities to
receive the convicted offender for the service of sentence imposed therein or for
detention.

THE SECURITY GROUPS The 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 is composed of the

(a) Escort Section – to escort inmate upon order of any judicial body; upon
summon of escort; or transfer to other penal institutions, and
(b) Subpoena Section- receives and distributes court summons, notices,
subpoenas, etc.
Security Platoon – a three (3) working Platoon shifts responsible for overall
security of the jail compound including gates, guard posts and towers. They are
also responsible of the admitting and releasing unit.

CLASSIFICATION BOARD and DISCIPLINARY BOARD

Chairperson Assistant Warden (rank not a position)

Members: Chief, Custodial/ Security Officer

Medical Officer/Public Health Officer
Jail Chaplain
Inmates Welfare and Development Officer
THE CLASSIFICATION BOARD is tasked to conduct background investigation of inmates to
determine the work assignment, type of supervision and degree of custody and restrictions under
which an inmate must live in jail. The investigation shall focus on:

A. Facts and data of the present case;

B. Earlier criminal history and if he / she is a recidivist or habitual delinquent, the facts about
his / her attitudes and behavior while confined in other institutions.
C. Biography or life history;
D. Medical History
E. Vocational, recreational, educational and religious background / interest; and,
F. Psychological characteristics as evaluated by the psychiatrist and psychologist.

The inmate is required to appear before the classification Board for a frank discussion
concerning his / her strengths and weaknesses. After this, he / she is informed of the program
planned for him / her. He / She is asked if he/ she is willing to undergo this program for his / her
own good. If necessary, the Board will see to it that the program planned for the inmate is
followed.

RECEPTION AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER (RDC) 5Days

This is a special unit of prison (camp sampaguita) where new prisoners undergo
diagnostic examination, study and observation for the purpose of determining
sthe programs of treatment and training best suited to their needs and the
institution to w/c they should be transferred.
Now called the Directorate for Receptions and Diagnostics.

RDC that receives newly committed prisoners coming from the jails nationwide.
Inmates accepted by the RDC will be studied and classified, the purpose of
which, is the formulation of the individualized treatment program designed to
achieve the most successful rehabilitation

Upon admission, the inmate or detainee if he has a pending case, will be put in
quarantine in a designated cell at the RDC for a minimum of five (5) days during
which he shall be administered the ff. Physical exam, mental, orientation,
private interview and etc.

Reception Diagnostic Center which was established in 1953 by virtue of

Administrative order no. 11 issued by the Secretary of Justice. The Center was
established to enable the BuCor to conduct a more effective rehabilitation of
prisoners committed to the Bureau’s care through a more scientific study and
diagnoses of each and every prisoner committed to the Bureau.
ADMISSION PROCEDURES IN PRISON
1. Receiving- the new prisoner is received at RDC. The new prisoner
usually comes from a provincial or city jail where he was immediately
committed upon conviction by the court, and escorted by the escort
platoon during his transfer to the National Prison.
2. Checking of Commitment Papers- the receiving officer checks the
commitment papers if they are in order. That is, if they contain the
signature of the judge or the signature of the clerk of court and the seal of
the court.
3. Identification- the prisoner’s identity is established through the picture
and fingerprint appearing in the commitment order. This is to ensure that
the person being committed is the same as the person being named in the
commitment order.
4. Searching- this step involves the frisking of the prisoner and searching
his personal things. Weapons and other items classified as contraband are
confiscated and deposited to the property custodian. Other properties are
deposited w/ the trust and officer under recording and receipts.
5. Briefing and Orientation- the prisoner will be brief and oriented on the
rules and regulations of the prison before he will assign to the RDC or the
Quarantine Unit.

ORIENTATION PROCEDURE IN PRISON

1. Giving the prisoners a booklet of rules and regulations and explaining the
rules to them.
2. Conducting group meeting of the center to explain to the inmates the
available treatment programs and the purpose of these treatment programs.
3. Holding a sessions w/ the members of the centers staff to explain what the
inmates should do in order to profit most from their experiences.

THE TREATMENT PROGRAMS

The Philippine Prison system adopted two approaches in treating criminal offenders. These are:
1. Institution-Based Treatment Programs and the
2. Community-Based Treatment Programs

Institutional Education
 Prison education is the cornerstone of rehabilitation. It is the process or results of formal
training in school or classrooms attended to shape the mind and attitude of prisoners towards
good living upon their release.
Objective:
1. To return the prisoner to society w/ a more wholesome attitude towards
living.
2. To conduct themselves as good citizens’
3. To give them knowledge and develop their skills to maintain themselves
and their dependents through honest labor.

Classes of Prison Education

1. General and Academic Education- the objective of w/c is to eradicate
illiteracy among prisoners. This could be the best contribution of
correctional system can offer to society.
2. Vocational Education- institutional maintenance works industrial
projects, the purpose of which is to provide prisoners necessary skills for
successful works in a socially acceptable occupation after their release.
3. Course may include: radio mechanics, auto mechanics, horticulture,
shoemaking, tailoring, carpentry, electronics, etc.
4. Physical education- designed for those who have physical disabilities.

INSTITUTIONAL CUSTODY, SECURITY AND CONTROL

Diversification is an administrative device correctional institution of providing varied and
flexible types of physical plants for the more effective custody, security and control of the
treatment programs of its diversified population. It is the principle of separating homogenous
type of prisoners that requires special treatment and custody. Separation can be done through
proper classification of inmates.
How diversification is carried out?
It can be done either building special institution for different classes of prisoners through proper
segregation of inmates that is big institution can be broken into smaller units.

Four (4) Separate but Coordinated Classification Procedure

1. Diagnosis- prisoner’s case history is taken and his personality is being studied through
examination and observation.
2. Treatment Planning- it is the formulation of tentative treatment programs suited for the
prisoner.
3. Execution of the treatment program- it is the application of the treatment programs and
policies by the classification committee.
4. Re-classification- treatment programs is kept current with the inmates changing needs.
Purpose of the classification process is adopted to determine the work assignment, type of
supervision and custody which will be applied to the prisoners.

PRISON Security, Custody and Control

1. Security-it involves safety measures to maintain the orderliness and discipline w/in the jail or
prison.
2. Prison Discipline- is the state of good order and behavior. It includes maintenance of good
standards of works, sanitation, safety education, health and recreation. It aims at self-reliance,
self-control, self-respect and self-discipline.
3. Preventive Discipline- is the prompt correction of minor deviations committed by prisoners
before they become serious violations.
4. Control- it involves supervision of prisoners to ensure punctual and orderly movement from
one place work program or assignment to another.

Custody- is the guarding or penal safekeeping, it involves security measures to insure security
and control w/in the prison. The prison custodial division carries it out. The prison custodial
division is charged of all matters pertaining to the custody of the prisoners and security of the
institution.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD IN JAILS

The disciplinary board for jails is a board that is organized and maintained w/in our local
jails for the purpose of hearing disciplinary cases involving violation of jail rules and regulations
by the inmates.

The disciplinary board is the authority that can impose disciplinary punishment such as:
a Reprimand
b Temporary or permanent cancellation of privileges in jails (visiting privileges,
recreational privileges and other privileges)
c Extra-fatigue duty or assignment to a disciplinary squad for manual labor.
d Close confinement in cell or solitary confinement, which shall not exceed seven days in
any calendar month. This punishment shall be imposed only in the case of incorrigible
inmate when other disciplinary measures had been proven ineffective.
e Transfer to another penal institutions.
f Loss of GCTA

If the above figure or table composition is not feasible because of personnel limitations, the
Warden shall perform the Board’s functions as a Summary Disciplinary Officer
FUNCTIONS OF THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD
The Warden tasks the board to investigate the facts regarding the alleged misconduct referred to
it. It holds sessions as often as necessary in a room that may be provided for the purpose. All
cases referred to it must be hears and decided within 48 hours from the date of the receipt of the
case.

Limitations of Punishment imposed to Offenders

The General rule is “Every violation of jail/prison discipline shall be dealt with accordingly. In
extreme cases, where the violations necessitate immediate action, the warden or the Officer of
the Day may administer the necessary restraints and reports the action taken to the Disciplinary
Board”. Under section 3, par. D, Rule XIV of the BJMP Manual states the limitations of
punishments imposed to offenders as:
a. No female offender shall be subjected to any disciplinary punishment that may affect
her unborn or nursing child.
b. No handicapped offender shall be made to suffer a punishment that might affect his
health or physical wellbeing.
c. Corporal punishment, confinement in dark, ill ventilated cells and any other form of
cruel, unusual, inhumane or degrading punishment are absolutely prohibited.
d. Whenever the penalty of extra-fatigue duty or solitary confinement imposed affect the
health of the offender, medical examination shall be conducted to determine his physical
fitness to serve his punishment.
e. The jail physician shall visit the inmate undergoing punishment when necessary and
shall advise the warden if he recommends the termination of the punishment on grounds
of physical and mental health.

PROCEDURES IN THE HEARING OF DISCIPLINARY CASES

The Following procedures shall be followed in the hearing of disciplinary cases:
A. The aggrieved inmate informs any member of the custodial force of the violation; the latter
in, turn officially reports the matter to the Desk Officer. If one of the jail employees knows the
violation committed by the inmate, a brief description shall be made of the circumstances
surrounding or leading to the reported violation and all facts relative to the case;

B. The desk officer simultaneously informs the Warden and shall immediately cause the
investigation. He / She submit to the Warden his / her report together with his / her
recommendations;
C. The Warden evaluates the report if he / she believes that there is no sufficient evidence to
support the alleged violation, he / she shall dismiss the case. If he / she believes that sufficient
evidence exist, he / she shall decide the case and impose the necessary penalty in case of minor
violations. If the offense is less grave or grave, he / she shall endorse it to the Disciplinary Board
for hearing or decide it him / herself as a Summary Disciplinary Officer if there is no
Disciplinary board;

D. The inmate shall be confronted of the reported violation and asked how he / she pleads to
charge. If he / she admits the violation or pleads guilty, the Board of the Warden, as the case
may be, shall impose the corresponding punishment;
E. If the inmate denies the charge, the hearing shall commence with the presentation of
evidence and other witnesses by the Desk Officer. The inmate shall the be given the
opportunity to defend him / herself by his / her testimony and those of his / her witnesses, if
any, and to present other evidences to prove his / her innocence;
F. After hearing, the Board decides the case on the merits;
G. Whether the inmate is found guilty or not, he / she should be advised to obey the rules and
regulations strictly and be reminded that good behavior is indispensable for his / her early
release and / or granting of privileges; and.
H. H. Decisions of the Board or Summary Disciplinary Officer are subject to review and
approval by the warden and/ or higher authority, respectively. The inmates may request by
the Warden and / or higher authority, respectively. The inmates may request a review of
findings of the board or summary disciplinary officer and the propriety of the penalty from
the National Headquarters, BJMP, whose decision shall be final.

GOOD CONDUCT TIME ALLOWANCE (GCTA) ARTICLE 97

Good conduct time allowance is a privilege granted to a prisoner that shall entitle him to
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 third to the fifth years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of 8
days each of good behavior.
3. During the following years until the tenth years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a
deduction of 10 days each month of good behavior.
4. During the eleventh and the successive years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a
deduction of 15 days each month of good behavior.
GTCA may also be granted to a detainee to be deducted from his sentence if convicted provided
that he voluntarily offers to perform labor as maybe assigned to him during his detention period.
Such voluntary offer must be in writing.
An inmate whose sentence is life imprisonment but is on appeal is not entitled to GCTA.

GCTA cannot be revoked without a just cause. GCTAs revoked for a just cause may be restored
at the discretion of the Director of Correction upon recommendation of the Superintendent

In addition to the GCTA, a prisoner may also be entitled to another five days per month
deduction from the sentence he has to serve when he has been classified as a trusty or penal
colonist.

This is provided by Act. No. 2489, otherwise known as the Industrial Good Time Law. Life
imprisonment is also automatically reduced to thirty years imprisonment upon being classified as
a trusty or penal colonist.

Who are not entitled to deduction?

1. Recidivist
2. Habitual Delinquents ([Link].L) Falsification of Documents; Robbery; Estafa;
Theft; Serious physical injury and Less physical injuries.
3. Those who, upon being summoned for the execution of their sentence, failed to surrender
voluntarily.

SPECIAL TIME ALLOWANCE (STAL) ARTICLE 98

A special time allowance for loyalty shall be granted. A reduction of one-fifth of the period of
the sentence of any prisoner who evaded the service of sentence under the circumstances
mentioned above. The purpose of the law in granting a deduction of one-fifth (1/5) of the period
of sentence is to reward the convict’s manifest intent of paying his debts to society by returning
to prison after the passing away of the calamity. Whenever lawfully justified, the Director of
Prisons (Bureau of Corrections) shall grant allowance for good conduct and such allowances
once granted shall not be revoked.
Under article 98 and 158 of the Revised Penal Code, Special Time Allowance (STA) for loyalty
equivalent to one-fifth of the sentence shall be deducted from the inmates sentence if, after the
inmate abandoned prison due to disorder arising from conflagration, earthquake, explosion, or
similar catastrophes, or during a mutiny in which the inmate did not participate voluntarily
submits himself to the authorities within forty-eight hours following the issuance of a
proclamation announcing the ending of the calamity.
NOTE: Under Article 99 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) GCTAs and STAs are granted by the
Director of Corrections

RECEPTION PROCEDURES in JAIL

a The jail officer carefully checks the credential of the prisoner bringing in
the inmate to determine his/her identity and authority
b The desk officer carefully examines the arrest report and the authenticity
of the commitment order or mittimus to determine whether the inmate has
been committed under legal authority.
c Person arrested by virtue of warrant of arrest must secure a commitment
order from the court where the warrant of arrest is issued before he can be
committed to jail
d All cash and other valuables of the inmate must be turnover to the
property custodian for safekeeping and covered by receipts.
e The inmate then fingerprinted and photographed.
f The admitting jail officer accomplishes a jail booking report attaching
thereto the inmates photograph for reference.
g The newly admitted inmate shall be thoroughly strip searched. His
clothing shall also be carefully examined for contraband. He then check
for body vermin, cut bruises and other injuries and for needle marks to
determine if he/she is drug dependent.
h Upon commitment the inmate should be briefed or oriented on the jail
rules and regulation by the chief custodial officer or the officer of the day
prior to classification and segregation.
i Upon completion of the reception procedures the detainee is assigned to
his/her quarters/dorm.

THE QUARANTINE CELL OR UNIT 55days

This may be a unit of the orison or a section of the RDC where the prisoner is
given thorough physical examination including blood test, x-rays, vaccinations
and immunity. This is for the purpose of insuring that the prisoner is not
suffering from any contagious disease, w/c might be transferred to the prison
population.

INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION
FINAL COVERAGE

DIFFERENT PENAL COLONY AND PRISON IN THE PHILIPPINES

Bilibid Prison (1847) – The Old Bilibid Prison, then known as Carcel y Presidio Correccional
(Spanish "Correctional Jail and Military Prison") occupied a rectangular piece of land that was
part of the May Halique Estate in the heart of Manila
 1st national penitentiary in the country BUREAU OF PRISONS- BUREAU OF
CORRECTION

BUCOR – charged with the safekeeping of all INSULAR PRISONERS confined therein:
San Ramon Prison (1869)
 Was named in memory of its founder Capt. Ramon Blanco ( a Spanish Captain in the
Royal Army)
 COPRA is the principal product. Biggest sources of income
 1,414 hectares
 Established on August 21, 1869 to confine muslim rebels and political prisoners opposed
to the Spanish rule.
 Considered the oldest penal facility in the country, prisoners in San Ramon were required
to do agricultural work.
 It was closed during the Spanish American War of 1898 but reopened in 1904.

Iwahig Penal Colony (36,000 hec)

 Considered as one of the most open penal institutions in the world. “Prison without
Walls”
 Tagumpay settlement – prisons homestead
 1904 made by order of GOV. FORBES, through suggestion of Gov. Luke E. Wright.
 Luhit Penal Farm

Sub-colonies:
1. Sta. lucia * Lt. George Wolf- A member of the U.S. expeditionary force,
who later
2. Inagawan became the first prisons director of Iwahig Penal Colony.
3. Montible
4. Central

New Bilibid Prison

 January 22, 1941 when the name NBP was first used.
 587 hec.
 It is considered as one of the biggest prisons in the world in terms of the number of
inmate population.
 Establishment was constructed by virtue of proclamation 414 in 1931 as an enabling
order to CA # 3732
Sub-colonies:
1. Camp Sampaguita
2. Camp Bukang Liwayway

Correctional Institution for Women

 RA 3579 @Mandaluyong City
  first opened on a November 27, 1929.
 Was constructed 18-hectare
 “Womens Prisons”
 Female superintendent was created to superintend the operations of this penal facility.

Davao Penal Colony

 RA 3732
 Located at Tagum, Davao Del Norte
 “Tanglaw Settlement” – homestead of prisoner
 Gen. Paulino Santos, the incumbent Prisons Director
 Products: abaca, banana, rice, copra, and cattle.( biggest abaca plantation)
Sub-colonies:
1. Kapalong
2. Panabo

Sablayan Penal Colony (Occ. Mindoro)

 Proc. 72, Sept. 27, 1954 (16, 190 hec)
Sub-colonies:
1. Pasugul
2. Central
3. Pusog and
4. Yapang

Leyte Regional Prison

 Jan. 16, 1973 in Abuyog, Leyte
 Proc. no. 1101 to confine prisoners from Visayas.
 Youngest Penal Colony

PD603 Child and Youth Welfare Code of 1974

- This code became the Magna Carta for Children and was the first in the entire
ASEAN region.

PUNISHABLE ACTS

MINOR OFFENSES
a. Selling or bartering with fellow inmate(s) those items not classified as contraband
b. Rendering personal service to fellow inmate(s)
c. Untidy or dirty personal appearance
d. Littering or failing to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in his/her quarters and/or
surroundings
e. Making frivolous or groundless complaints
f. Taking the cudgels for or reporting complaints on behalf of other inmates
g. Reporting late for inmate formation and inmate headcount without justifiable reasons
h. Willful waste of food

LESS GRAVE OFFENSES

a. Failure to report for work detail without sufficient justification
b. Failure to render assistance to an injured personnel or inmate
c. Failure to assist in putting out fires inside the jail
d. Behaving improperly or acting boisterously during religious, social and other group functions
e. Swearing, cursing or using profane or defamatory language directed at other persons
f. Malingering or pretending to be sick to skip work assignment
g. Spreading rumors or malicious intrigues to besmirch the honor of any person, particularly
BJMP personnel
h. Failure to stand at attention and give due respect when confronted by or reporting to any
BJMP personnel
i. Forcing fellow inmates to render personal service to him/her and/or to others
j. Exchanging uniforms or wearing clothes other than those issued to him/her for the purpose of
circumventing jail rules
k. Loitering or being in an unauthorized place
l. Using the telephone without authority from the desk officer/warden;
m. Writing, defacing, or drawing on walls, floors or any furniture or equipment
n. Withholding information, which may be inimical or prejudicial to the jail administration
o. Possession of lewd or pornographic literature and/or photographs
p. Absence from cell, brigade, place of work during headcount, or at any time without justifiable
reason
q. Failure to turn over any implement/article/s issued after work detail.
r. Committing any act prejudicial to good order and discipline

GRAVE OFFENSES
a Making untruthful statements or lies in any official communication, transaction, or
investigation
b Keeping or concealing keys or locks of places in the jail which are off limits to inmates
c Giving gifts, selling, or bartering items with jail personnel
d Keeping in his/her possession money, jewelry, cellular phones or other communication
devices and other items classified as contraband under the rules
e Tattooing others or allowing him/her to be tattooed on any part of the body, or keeping
any paraphernalia to be used in tattooing
f Forcibly taking or extorting money from fellow inmates and visitors;
 g Punishing or inflicting injury or any harm upon himself/herself or other inmates
h Receiving, keeping, taking or drinking liquor and prohibited drugs
i Making, improvising or keeping any kind of deadly weapon \
j Concealing or withholding information on plans of attempted escapes
k Unruly conduct and flagrant disregard for discipline and instructions
l Escaping, attempting or planning to escape from the institution or from any guard
m Helping, aiding or abetting others to escape
n Fighting, causing any disturbance or participating therein and/or agitating to cause such
disturbance or riot
o Indecent, immoral or lascivious acts by himself/herself or others and/or allowing
himself/herself to be the subject of such indecent, immoral or lascivious acts
p Wilful disobedience to a lawful order issued by any BJMP personnel
q Assaulting any BJMP personnel;
r Damaging any government property or equipment
s Participating in kangaroo court, an unauthorized or irregular court conducted with
disregard for or perversion of legal procedures as a mock court by the inmates in a
jail/prison
t Affiliating with any gang or faction whose main purpose is to foment regionalism or to
segregate themselves from others
u Failing to inform the authorities concerned when afflicted with any communicable
disease, such as tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, etc.
v Engaging in gambling or any game of chance

BUREAU OF CORRECTION
(RA10575)

Bureau of Corrections – refers to the central office and the prison and penal farms which are
known as colonies.
 Is an agency under the Department of Justice that is charged with custody and
rehabilitation of national offenders, that is, those sentenced to serve a term of
imprisonment of more than three (3) years.

GENERAL PROVISIONS
Purpose of confinement. — A person is committed to prison —
a. to segregate him from society; and
b. to rehabilitate him so that upon his return to society he shall be a
responsible and law-abiding citizen.
Basic principles. — The rules on the admission, custody and treatment of inmates —
a. seek to promote discipline and to secure the reformation and safe custody
of inmates.
b. shall be applied impartially, without discrimination on grounds of race,
color, sex, language, religion or other opinion, national or social origin,
property, birth or other status.
c. shall be enforced with firmness but tempered with understanding.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
"Prison" refers to a penal establishment under the control of the Bureau of Corrections and shall
include the New Bilibid Prison, the Correctional Institution for Women, the Leyte Regional
Prison and the Davao, San Ramon, Sablayan and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farms;
"Competent authority" shall refer to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Regional Trial
Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, Municipal Circuit Trial Court,
Sandiganbayan, Military Courts, House of Representatives, Senate, Commission on Elections,
Bureau of Immigration and the Board of Pardons and Parole;
"Inmate" refers to a national prisoner or one sentenced by a court to serve a maximum term of
imprisonment of more than three (3) years

"Detainee" is a person who is confined in prison pending preliminary investigation, trial or

appeal; or upon legal process issued by competent authority;
"Death convict" refers to an inmate whose death penalty imposed by a Regional Trial Court is
affirmed by the Supreme Court

"Superintendent" refers to the one in charge of a prison

"Carpeta" refers to the institutional record of an inmate which consists of his

mittimus/commitment order, the prosecutor's information and the decision of the trial court,
including that the appellate court, if any;
"Prison record" refers to information concerning an inmate's personal circumstances, the
offense he committed, the sentence imposed, the criminal case numbers in the trial and appellate
courts, the date he commenced service of his sentence, the date he was received for confinement,
the place of confinement, the date of expiration of his sentence, the number of previous
convictions, if any, and his behavior or conduct while in prison.

MANDATE:
the BUCOR shall be in charge of safekeeping and instituting reformation programs to
national inmates sentenced to more than three (3) years through progressive, effective, and
efficient administration.
MISSION:
Effective safekeeping and rehabilitation of national prisoners.

VISION:
 Improved national prisons conducive to the reformation and rehabilitation of
inmates that will bring them back into the mainstream of society as useful citizens of
the country.

The THREE (3) MANDATES OF BUCOR

A. SAFEKEEPING OF NATIONAL INMATES. In compliance with established United

Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (UNSMRTP), the safekeeping
of inmates shall include:
1. Decent and adequate provision of basic necessities such as shelters/quarters, food, water,
clothing, medicine;
2. Proper observance of prescribed privileges such as regulated communication and visitation
3. Efficient processing of necessary documentary requirements and records for their timely
release. The processing of these documentary requirements shall be undertaken by the
Directorate for Inmate Documents and Records (DIDR).

The core objective of these safekeeping provisions is to “accord the dignity of man” to inmates
while serving sentence in accordance with the basis for humane understanding of Presidential
Proclamation 551, series 1995, and with UNSMRTP Rule 60.

B) SECURITY OF NATIONAL INMATES. The complementary component of safekeeping in

custodial function is security which ensures that inmates are completely incapacitated from
further committing criminal acts, and have been totally cut off from their criminal networks (or
contacts in the free society) while serving sentence inside the premises of the national
penitentiary.
The circumferential security activities to be undertaken are:
1. Proper custody;
2. Implementation of prison laws and regulations, to include prevention of prison violence and
crimes; and
3. Efficient Recovery of fugitives.

C) REFORMATION OF NATIONAL INMATES. The circumferential reformation programs

which will be institutionalized by BuCor for the inmates shall be comprised of 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
6. Behavior Modification Program

D) PROGRESSIVE ADMINISTRATION. Progressive administration shall be achieved

through objective intent, constructive approach, and productive actions on every administrative
undertaking particularly towards personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, and BuCor lands.
Classification Board. — Every prison 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

Classification of inmates as to security risk. — An inmate shall be assigned to any of the

following security 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. detainees whose sentence is twenty (20) 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 safekeeping; 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.

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. 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. first offenders sentenced to life imprisonment. They may be
classified as medium security if they have served five (5) years in a
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.
 c. Minimum security — this shall include those who can be reasonably
trusted to serve their sentences under less restricted conditions. Under this
category are —
i. those with a 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)
iv. Those who have only six (6) months more to serve before the
expiration of their maximum sentence.

Classification of inmates as to entitlement to privileges. — Inmates shall be classified as

follows to determine their entitlement to prison privileges.
1. Detainee- those whose cases are or have other pending cases;
2. Third Class Inmate- those who have been previously committed as a sentenced
prisoner for three times or more except cases involving non-payment of fines.
3. Second Class Inmate- newly arrived inmates committed for the first time, or
demoted from a higher class or promoted from a lower class.
4. First Class Inmate- one whose known character and credit for work while still in
detention earned classification to this class
5. Colonist- a classified first class inmate for at least one year immediately
preceding his classification as such, and has served with conduct, at least one-fifth
of his maximum sentence.
Qualifications:
a. be at least a first class inmate and has served one (1) year immediately
preceding the completion of the period specified in the following
qualifications;
b. has served imprisonment with good conduct for a period equivalent to one
fifth (1/5) of the maximum term of his prison sentence, or seven (7) years
in the case of a life sentence.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF AN INMATE

Rights of an inmate — an inmate shall have the following basic rights:
a. to receive compensation for labor he performs;
b. to be credited with time allowances for good conduct and loyalty;
c. to send and receive mail matter;
d. to practice his religion or observe his faith;
e. to receive authorized visitors;
f. to ventilate his grievances through proper channels; and
g. to receive death benefits and pecuniary aid for injuries.
Privileges of an inmate— The following privileges shall also be extended to an inmate:
a. Attend or participate in any entertainment or athletic activity within the
prison reservation;
b. Read books and other reading materials in the library;
c. Smoke cigar and cigarettes, except in prohibited places;
d. Participate in civic, religious and other activities authorized by prison
authorities; and
e. Receive gifts and prepared food from visitors subject to inspection.

Rights of a detainee— a detainee may, aside from the rights and privileges enjoyed by a finally
convicted inmate, wear civilian clothes and to grow his hair in his customary
style.

PRISON LABOR
Prison labor of finally convicted inmate. — A finally convicted able-bodied inmate may be
required to work at least eight (8) hours a day, except on Sundays and legal
holidays, in and about the prison, public buildings, grounds, roads, and other
public works of the national government. In the interest of the service, however,
they may be required to work on excepted days.
Prison labor of detainee. — A detainee may not be required to work in prison. However, he
may be made to police his cell and perform such other labor as may be deemed
necessary for hygienic or sanitary reasons.
Agreement of detainee to abide by rules imposed on finally convicted inmates. — Upon his
admission, the detainee shall be informed that he may be credited in the service of
his prison sentence with the full time during which he may have undergone
preventive imprisonment if he agrees in writing to abide by the same disciplinary
rules imposed on convicted inmates, provided the detainee is not a recidivist or
has been convicted previously twice or more times of any crime. If the detainee
agrees, he shall be asked to manifest his agreement in writing.
Certification of Superintendent if detainee refuses to abide by rules imposed on finally
convicted inmates. — If the detainee does not agree to abide by the same
disciplinary rules as a finally convicted inmate, the Superintendent shall issue a
certification under oath to the effect that the detainee was apprised of his right to
be credited in the service of his prison sentence with the full time during which he
may have undergone preventive imprisonment and that the inmate refused to
abide by the rules imposed upon convicted inmates.
Agreement or Certification as part of prison record. — The agreement or certification
mentioned above shall form part of the prison record of the detainee.
Female inmate. — A female inmate shall only be assigned to work on jobs suitable to her age
and physical condition. She shall be supervised only by women officers.
Old inmate. — An inmate over sixty (60) years of age may be excused from mandatory labor.
Place of work assignment. — Only medium and minimum security inmates may be assigned to
work in agricultural field projects within a prison reservation. Maximum security
inmates shall not be allowed to work outside the maximum security compound.
Work programs. — Work programs shall be conducted in prison to promote good work habits
and self-esteem among inmates and not as a means to exploit cheap prison labor
or as a punishment for deviant behavior.

TIME ALLOWANCE FOR GOOD CONDUCT AND LOYALTY

(Repealed by RA 10592)
Who may grant Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA). — The Director may grant GCTA
to an inmate who displays good behavior and who has no record of breach of discipline or
violation of prison rules and regulations.
Effects of GCTA. — The good conduct or behavior of an inmate shall entitle him to the
following deductions from the period of his sentence.
a. During the first two (2) years of his imprisonment, he shall be allowed a
deduction of five (5) days for each month of good behavior;
b. During the third to the fifth years, inclusive, of his imprisonment, he shall
be allowed a deduction of eight (8) days for each month of good behavior;
c. During the following years until the tenth year, inclusive, of his
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of ten (10) days for each
month of good behavior; and
d. During the eleventh and successive years of his imprisonment, he shall be
allowed a deduction of fifteen (15) days for each month of good behavior.
Computation of GCTA. — Calendar months and years are considered reference to sentences
and time served, while thirty (30) days constitute a month in computing GCTA
credits.
GCTA of detainee. — A detainee shall only be granted GCTA if he voluntarily offers in writing
to perform such labor as may be assigned to him. In such a case, the credit he may
receive shall be deducted from sentence as may be imposed upon him if he is
convicted.
GCTA of life termer. — An inmate sentenced to life imprisonment shall not be granted GCTA
while his sentence is on appeal.
Revocation of GCTA. — GCTA once granted shall not be revoked without just cause.
Restoration of GCTA. — The GCTA which an inmate is deprived of because of misconduct
may be restored at the discretion of the Director upon the recommendation of the
Superintendent.

Special time allowance for loyalty (STAL) — A deduction of one-fifth (1/5) of the period of
his sentence shall be granted to an inmate who, after evading the service of his sentence on the
occasion of a disorder resulting from a conflagration, earthquake, explosion, or similar
catastrophe, or during a mutiny in which he has not participated, gives himself up voluntarily to
the authorities within forty-eight (48) hours following the issuance of a proclamation
announcing the passing away of such calamity.

VISITING RIGHTS
Visiting rights. — An inmate shall have the right to be visited by his family and reputable
friends at regular intervals.
Visitors list. — The Superintendent shall compile and maintain a list of persons named by the
inmate who may visit the latter. The list may include the members of the inmate's
immediate family such as his parents, step parents, foster parents, brothers and
sisters, wife or husband and children. Upon the request of the inmate, the list may
include his grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins. Other visitors may,
after investigation, be included in the list if the inmate will benefit from such
contact.
Visiting days and hours. — An inmate may be visited from Sundays to Thursdays from 9:00
a.m. to 3:00 p.m visitors shall not be allowed to stay overnight in prison. There
shall be no visits on Fridays and Saturdays. (Repealed by BuCor Memorandum.
Visiting days and hours are from Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00am to 3:00pm)
Limitation on visiting rights. — The Director may limit the length or frequency of prison visits
as well as the number of visitors to avoid overcrowding. Exceptions may be
granted after taking into account special circumstances, such as the distance of
travel of the visitor and the frequency of the visits received by the inmate.
Visiting room. — Whenever practicable, a prison shall have a visiting room which shall be as
comfortable and as pleasant as possible and equipped to meet the needs of
visitors, including children.
Privacy of visits. — Prison guards shall supervise the visiting area in an unobtrusive manner.
They shall not eavesdrop on conversations or otherwise interfere with the privacy of the inmate
and his visitor.
Conjugal visits. — A male inmate may enjoy conjugal visits from his spouse in prisons where
there are facilities therefor under such conditions as may be prescribed by the
Director.
Visit of legal counsel. — An inmate may be visited by his legal counsel of record at reasonable
hours of the day or night.
Violation of visiting rules. — Any circumvention or violation of visiting rules by the inmate or
his visitor shall result in the suspension or deprivation of visiting privileges and
the initiation of disciplinary action against the erring inmate.

RELEASE OF INMATE
Basis for release of an inmate. — An inmate may be released from prison:
a. upon the expiration of his sentence;
b. by order of the Court or of competent authority; or
c. after being granted parole, pardon or amnesty.
Who may authorize release. — The following are authorized to order or approve the release of
inmates:

a. the Supreme Court or lower courts, in cases of acquittal or grant of bail;

b. the President of the Philippines, in cases of executive clemency or
amnesty;
c. the Board of Pardons and Parole, in parole cases; and
d. the Director, upon the expiration of the sentence of the inmate.

Approval by Director of release. — An inmate shall only be released by the Superintendent

with the approval of the Director.
Verification of identity of inmate to be released. — Before an inmate is released, he shall be
properly identified. His fingerprints and other identification marks shall be verified with those
which were taken when he was admitted in prison, and any change in his distinguishing marks
since said admission.

Documentary basis for release. — An inmate shall not be released on the basis of authority
relayed through telegram or telephone. Inmates to be released by reason of
acquittal, dismissal of the case, the filing of bond or the payment of indemnity
shall only be released upon receipt by the Superintendent of a written order
bearing the seal of the court and duly signed by the clerk of court or by the judge
thereof. The release order shall bear the full name of the inmate, the crime
charged, the number of the case, and such other details as will enable the releasing
officer to properly identify the inmate to be released.

Prompt release of inmate. — An inmate shall be released without delay. However, before
releasing an inmate who is suffering from a communicable disease or mental
derangement, and who cannot defray the expenses of his treatment, the
Superintendent shall take the necessary steps to arrange for the follow-up
treatment of the inmate in an appropriate government institution.
Release of foreign national. — The Director shall notify the Commissioner of Immigration of
the release of an inmate who is a foreign national. At least thirty (30) days before
the approximate date of release, the Director shall furnish the Commissioner of
Immigration with certified copies of the court decision in the case of the alien
inmate, a synopsis of his prison record, and the expected date of release.

Release of inmate with pending criminal case. — If the inmate to be released has a pending
criminal case, the Director shall inform the court where the case is pending of the
inmate's discharge from prison at least thirty (30) days before the actual date of
release. In the proper case, the Director shall turn over the inmate to the proper
court where the inmate has a pending criminal case for disposition.

Prohibited release of inmates before and after election. — The Director shall not order or
allow an inmate to leave prison sixty (60) days before and thirty (30) days after an
election except for valid or legal reasons.

Separation and Placement Center. — An inmate shall, thirty (30) days before his scheduled
date of release, be transferred to the Separation and Placement Center to prepare
him for reentry into free society, provided he is not under punishment or an
escape risk, and is cleared of his government property accountability. Pre-release
seminar. — All inmates eligible for release shall undergo a one-day seminar in
preparation for his life outside prison.

Assistance to inmate to be released. — Upon release of the inmate, he shall be supplied by the
Bureau with transportation to his home, including a gratuity to cover the probable
cost of subsistence en route, and if necessary, a suit of clothes.

Transmittal of carpeta and prison records. — In executive clemency and parole cases, the
Director shall forward the carpeta and prison record of an inmate to the Board within the
following periods:
a. for commutation of sentence — at least one (1) month before the
expiration of one-third (1/3) of the minimum period of the inmate's
indeterminate sentence and in special cases, at least one (1) month before
the periods specified by the Board.
b. for conditional pardon — at least one (1) month before the expiration of
one-half (1/2) of the minimum period of the inmate's indeterminate
sentence and in special cases; at least one (1) month before the periods as
the board may specify.
 c. for parole — at least one (1) month before the expiry date of his minimum
sentence.

ORGANIZATION OF BUREAU, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF

CORRECTIONS OFFICIALS
Director and Assistant Director of the Bureau. — The Bureau is headed by the Director of
Corrections who is assisted by two (2) Assistant Directors, one for Administration
and Rehabilitation and one for Prisons and Security. The Director and Assistant
Directors of the Bureau shall be appointed by the President of the Philippines
upon recommendation of the Secretary. (Repealed by RA 10575)
Functions of Director. — The Director shall have the following functions:
a. Act as adviser of the Secretary on matters relating to the formulation and
execution of penal policies, plans, programs and projects;
b. Administer and execute the laws relating to prisons and its inmates and
enforce the rules and regulations governing the operations and
management of prisons;
c. Exercise administrative supervision of prisons;
d. Recommend to the Board of Pardons and Parole inmates who are qualified
for the grant of parole, pardon and other forms of executive clemency;
e. Exercise supervision and control over the constituents units and personnel
of the Bureau; and
f. Issue directives and instructions in accordance with laws, rules and
regulations that will effectively and efficiently govern the activities of the
Bureau and its personnel.

Functions of Assistant Director. — The Assistant Director shall have the following functions:
a. Assist the Director in the formulation and implementation of the Bureau's
objectives and policies;
b. Coordinate and ensure the economical, efficient and effective
administration of the programs and projects of the Bureau;
c. Assume the duties of the Director in the latter's absence; and
d. Perform such other function as may be assigned by the Director.
 POSITION RANK
Director General of Corrections Undersecretary
(4 STARS)
Deputy Director General of Assistant Secretary
Corrections (3 STARS)

Facilities of the Bureau of Corrections. The BuCor shall operate with the standard and uniform
design of prison facilities, reformation facilities, and administrative facilities, through all the
operating prison and penal farms.

1. Dormitory – refers to the facility exclusively used as confinement area of all inmates within
the prison camp with specific consideration on spatial designation.
Classification of Dormitory:
Type A Dormitory – above 500 inmate capacity and lot area of more than 1.5 hec
Type B Dormitory – 101 to 500 inmate capacity and lot area of 1.5 hectares
Type C Dormitory – 1 to 100 inmate capacity and lot area of 3,000 sq. m.
The recommended lot area per inmate is 30 sq. m.
For a standard lay-out of a cell, the Architect or Engineer should have an overall idea of an ideal
cell capacity so that he can design a dormitory building using the different classification of
dormitory. The architect/engineer should use the following parameters/building specifications:
Cell Capacity Ideal habitable floor area per inmate = 4.7 square meters
Maximum number of inmates per cell = 10
Maximum number of bunks beds = 5 units two level

2. Administrative Building – an edifice where management of institutional support and

resources are administered including all records and documents servicing. The building may be
constructed according to the desired capacity to house the following groups such as command
group, directorates, support service and operating units. Knowing the number of personnel, the
designer can plan a two (2) storey up to four (4) storey building.

[Link]/Security Fence – refers to physical indicators of boundary lines and barriers

delineating the prison camp, its security divisions and perimeter markings on the prison
reservation as a whole.

4. Hospital/Infirmary – refers to a medical facility established inside the prison compound for
treatment of sick or injured inmates. This will also serve as a place of confinement for inmates
with contagious disease. Sick inmates requiring advance medical treatment shall be brought to
the nearest hospital if the prison hospital does not have the necessary medical equipment and
expertise to treat such malady.
5. Recreation/Multipurpose Hall – a combined facility where cultural and sports activities are
conducted on a regular basis.

6. Training/Lecture Center – a combined facility, which may be a one storey or two storey
building where a library, classrooms or an auditorium are constructed and a place where safety
and care is foremost in the course of its usage and vocation.

7. Workshop Facility – a facility where livelihood workshops are conducted. It must be near the
lecture center or within the building for easy access for the participants. Participants of 50 - 100
must be considered in the design. The training/lecture center must be well ventilated or fully air-
conditioned on workshop rooms where there are no welding and cutting activities done. Comfort
rooms and mess hall shall also be included in the area.

[Link] and Mess Hall – refers to an important sector in the prison facility where food
preparation is conducted and an adjacent area where food is served.

9. Visiting Area – A facility where visitors of inmates are accommodated. The

architect/designer must take into consideration the maximum capacity of 500 persons to
accommodate the influx of visitors during seasonal events such as Christmas, New Year,
Valentine’s Day, and other special events in the Bureau. The visiting hall must have two (2)
gates at opposite sides, one (1) gate for the inmate with a call slip and one (1) gate specifically
for visitors.

10. Conjugal Rooms – A one (1) storey facility shall be constructed to accommodate an
inmate’s conjugal visits from his legal wife or common-law-wife (CLW). It shall accommodate
20 couples, cubicle-type with an area of 2.5m x 3.50m each room. Each room shall also be
equipped with the following: Bed, ceiling fan and a comfort room.

11. Water Supply System – Water tanks and pumps shall be provided in the absence of
government/commercial water system to prevent interruption of supply in any place where
inmates are being held.

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