PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MARIKINA
495, issued on November 22, 1989, changed the
INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION
HISTORY
Spanish colonial era
Old Bilibid Prison circa 1900
The Old Bilibid Prison which was located on Oroquieta
Street in Manila was established in 1847 and by a Royal
Decree formally opened on April 10, 1866. On August
21, 1870 the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm was
established in Zamboanga City for Muslim and political
prisoners opposed to the rule of Spain.
American colonial era
The Iuhit penal Settlement now known as Iwahig Prison
and Penal Farm was established in 1904 by the
Americans in 28,072 hectares of land issued by
Governor Newton Gilbert on October 15, 1912.
The Bureau of Prisons was created under the
Reorganization Act of 1905 as an agency under the
Department of Commerce and Police. The
Reorganization Act also re-established the San Ramon
Prison in 1907 which was destroyed during the Spanish–
American War in 1898. The prison was placed under the
Bureau of Prisons and receive prisoners in Mindanao.
The Correctional Institution for Women was founded on
November 27, 1929 by virtue of Act No. 3579 as the first
and only prison for women in the Philippines. Later, on
January 21, 1932, the bureau opened the Davao Penal
Colony in Southern Mindanao.
The New Bilibid Prison was established in 1935
in Muntinlupa due to the increased rate of prisoners.
Contemporary era
Proclamation No. 72 issued on September 26, 1954,
established the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in
Occidental Mindoro, and the Leyte Regional Prison was
established on January 16, 1973, under Proclamation
No. 1101
The Administrative Code of 1987 and Proclamation No.
agency's name to the current Bureau of Corrections
from Bureau of Prisons.
ORIGIN OF THE WORD JAIL
The term Jail is derived from the Spanish word “Jaulo”
which means cage. Etymologist attributed the word jail
to have originated from the Spanish term “Caula” is the
French word of jail referred to as “Gaol” pronounced
G’eole. It is a place for the arrested for debt or crime
and were held in custody. In 14th century, the arrestees
were even entrusted to the knights of the shire.
The Spanish word “Jaulo” the French Gaol and the
English term Jail have the same imports and
connotations. It only varies in spelling that derives from
the punctuated pronunciation (Macasiano, 1999).
JAIL LEGAL DEFINITION
Jail is a building or place for the confinement arrested or
sentenced person. It is usually made up of cells, which
are small rooms or enclosure where prisoners are
actually kept or confined (Macasiano, 1999).
The difference between the Jail and the Bureau of
Correction is that jail houses cater offenders who are
possibly faced with a penalty of not more than three
years and it is under the Department of the Interior and
Local Government. It is classified as Provincial jail,
Municipal jail and City jail. While the bureau of
Correction houses offenders who are finally convicted
by the lower court and are waiting for the result of their
appeal and those who are convicted for more than three
years. The Bureau of Correction is directly under the
Department of Justice.
TYPES OF JAIL
 City Jail, Provincial and Municipal Jail –
House both offenders awaiting for court actions, those
serving short sentences usually up to three years only
and juvenile offenders pending for transfer to social
service agency (Macasiano, 1999)
 Lock - up cells – is a security facility for the
temporary detention of persons held for investigation
(e.g. Suspects, violators of city ordinance)
JAIL BUREAU MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND with the rules and shall respect the laws duly constituted
PRINCIPLES by authorities.

g. No jail personnel shall use abusive, insulting and

Mission – The jail bureau shall direct, supervise and indecent language on the offenders.
control the administration and operation of all district,
h. No jail personnel shall use unnecessary force on
city and municipal jail to effect to a better system of jail
offenders, except for legitimate self- defense or in case
management nationwide
of attempted active and passive physical resistance to
Objectives – The broad objectives of the bureau are lawful order.
the following:
i. No penalty shall be imposed upon any offender for the
violation of rules/ regulation unless in accordance with
duly approved disciplinary procedures.
a. To improve the living conditions of offenders in
accordance with the accepted standards set by the
United Nations.
b. To enhance rehabilitation and reformation of
offenders in preparation for their eventual
reintegration into the mainstream of society upon
their release and
c. To professionalize jail service.

Principles - The following principle shall be observed in

the implementation of the proceeding section.

a. It is the obligation of jail authorities to confine

offenders’ safety and provide rehabilitative programs
that will negate criminal tendencies and restore their
positive values to make them productive and law-
abiding citizens.

b. No procedure or system of correction shall deprive

any offender of hope for ultimate return to the fold of the
law and full membership in society.

c. Unless proved otherwise, any person accused of the

criminal offense shall presumed innocent and his rights
as a free citizen shall be respected, except for such
indispensable restraints during his confinement in the
interest of justice and public safety.

d. Offenders are human beings entitled to the same

basic rights and privileges enjoyed by citizens in a free
society, except that the exercise of these are limited or
controlled for security reasons.

e. Health preservation and prompt treatment of illness

or injury are basic rights of every person confined in jail.
It is the duty of jail authorities to arrange to their
treatment subject to security measures.

f. Members of the custodial force shall set themselves

as example by performing their duties in accordance