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penology problem. Primarily, its clients are
LEGAL BASIS – Republic Act No. 6975,
otherwise known as the “Department of the
Interior and Local Government Act of 1990,”
provides that the task of jail management and
penology shall be the responsibility of the
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
(BJMP). As an institution, and pursuant to the
mandate earlier mentioned, the BJMP has
defined through consultative and participatory
strategic planning sessions its vision, mission,
powers, functions, values, objectives and
principles;
HISTORY
On January 2, 1991, the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology was created thru
Republic Act 6975 as a line Bureau under the
Department of Interior and Local Government.
The Jail Bureau is the upgraded version of its
forerunner, the Office of Jail Management and
Penology of the defunct PC/INP last headed
by  BRIG GEN Arsenio E. Concepcion.
As mandated by law, the BJMP shall operate
under the reorganized Department of the
Interior and Local Government.  DILG Secretary from among the qualified
Starting from scratch with 500 personnel in
1991 the BJMP weaned from its mother
PC/INP as a mere component, to become a
full-fledged bureau. Director Charles S.
Mondejar took his oath of office on July 1 of
1991 as the first Chief of the Bureau.  Officers who have retired or are within six (6)
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
supervises and controls all district, city and
municipal jails.
Overview
As one of the five pillars of the Criminal Justice
System, the BJMP was created to address
growing concern of jail management and
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detainees accused before a court who are
temporarily confined in such jails while
undergoing investigation, waiting final
judgement and those who are serving sentence
promulgated by the court 3 years and below.
As provided for under R.A. No. 6975, the Jail
Bureau is mandated to take operational and
administrative control over all city, district and
municipal jails. The Bureau has four major
areas of rehabilitation program, namely:
Livelihood Projects, Educational and
Vocational Training, Recreation and Sports,
and Religious/ Spiritual Activities. These were
continuously implemented to eliminate the
offenders' pattern of criminal behaviour and to
reform them to become law-abiding and
productive citizens. Although the workplace of
the Jail Bureau is confined inside the portals of
jail to safeguard PDL, nonetheless, the Bureau
has an inherent function of informing the public
of jail operations and other matters concerning
the corrections pillar of the Philippines.
Coincidentally, being a new and growing
Bureau, BJMP aims to keep the public abreast
of information regarding jail management and
penology.
Organizations and Key Positions
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology,
also referred to as the Jail Bureau, was created
pursuant to Section 60 to 65, Chapter V, RA
No. 6975, and initially consisting of uniformed
officers and members of the Jail Management
and Penology service as constituted under
Presidential Decree No. 765. RA 9263 provides
that the Bureau shall be headed by a Chief
who is assisted by two (2) Deputy Chiefs, one
(1) for Administration and another for
Operations, and one (1) Chief of Directorial
Staff, all of whom are appointed by the
President upon the recommendation of the
officers with the rank of at least Senior
Superintendent in the BJMP. The Chief of the
BJMP carries the rank of Director and serves a
tour of duty that must not exceed four (4)
years, unless extended by the President in
times of war and other national emergencies.
months from their compulsory retirement age
are not qualified to be appointed as Jail
Director or designated as BJMP Chief.
The second officer in command of the BJMP is
the Deputy Chief for Administration, the third
officer in command is the Deputy Chief for
Operations, and the fourth officer in command
is The Chief of the Directorial Staff, all of whom
carry the rank of Chief Superintendent. They
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are assisted by the Directors of the
Directorates in the National Headquarters who
carry the rank of at least Senior
Superintendent.
The BJMP operates and maintains Regional
Offices in each of the administrative regions of
the country, headed by a Regional Director for
Jail Management and Penology, with the rank
of at least Senior Superintendent. The
Regional Director is assisted by an Assistant
Regional Director for Administration, Assistant
Regional Director for Operations, and Regional
Chief of Directorial Staff, who are all officers
with the rank of at least Superintendent.
The National Headquarters is the Command
and Staff Office of the BJMP, and is composed
of the Command Group, Directorates and
Management Support Staff , namely:
Command Group:
Chief, BJMP
Deputy Chief for Administration of the Jail
Bureau
Deputy Chief for Operation of the Jail Bureau
Chief of Directorial Staff
Directorates
Directorate for Personnel and Records
Management
Directorate for Intelligence
Directorate for Operations
Directorate for Comptrollership
Directorate for Logistics
Directorate for Human Resource Development
Directorate for Welfare and Development
Directorate for Investigation and Prosecution
Directorate for Program Development
Directorate for Information and
Communications Technology Management
Directorate for Health Service
Support Services
Chaplaincy Service Office
Legislative Liaison Office
Finance Service Office
Headquarters Support Serivce Office
Legal Service Office
Community Relations Service Office
National Executive Senior Jail Officer (NESJO)
Supply Accountable Office
Accounting Office
Retirement and Separation Benefits
Administration Service Office
Regional Office.
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The BJMP operates and maintains Regional
Offices in each of the administrative regions of
the country, headed by a Regional Director for
Jail Management and Penology, with the rank
of at least Senior Superintendent. The
Regional Director is assisted by an Assistant
Regional Director for Administration, Assistant
Regional Director for Operations, and Regional
Chief of Directorial Staff, who are all officers
with the rank of at least Superintendent.
Provincial Jail Administrator's Office.
In every province, the BJMP operates and
maintains a Provincial Jail Administrator’s
Office headed by a Provincial Administrator, to
oversee the implementation of jail services of
all district, city and municipal jails within its
territorial jurisdiction.
District Jail.
Within large cities or a group of clustered
municipalities, a District Jail headed by a
District Warden may be established.
City and Municipal Jails.
The BJMP operates and maintains City and
Municipal Jails, each headed by a City or
Municipal Warden, as the case may be.
Our Core Values and Competence
PRO.T.E.C.S.
PRO - Professionalism
T - Teamwork
E - Efficiency / Competence
C - Commitment
S - Self-Discipline
Core Competence
Continuous skills enhancement of personnel
Ability to establish linkages and Partnerships
Responsive Planning
Timely decision-making
Expedient implementation
MANDATESAND FUNCTIONS
Mandates
BJMP is mandated to direct, supervise and
control the administration and operation of all
district, city and municipal jails nationwide with
pronged tasks of safekeeping and development
of PDL.
Functions
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In line with it's mission, the Jail Bureau
endeavors to perform the following functions:
Formulate policies and guidelines in the
administration of all district, city, and municipal
jails nationwide;
Implement strong security measures for the
control of PDL;
Provide for the basic needs of PDL;
Conduct activities for the development of PDL;
Improve jail facilities; and,
Promote the general welfare and development
of personnel.
MISSION AND VISION
Mission
To enhance public safety by ensuring humane
safekeeping and development of Persons
Deprived of Liberty (PDL) in all district, city,
and municipal jails for their reintegration to
society.
Vision
A premier institution highly regarded by society
for the secure and humane treatment of
Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) by its
competent and motivated corps.
PROGRAMS
Major Programs
There are four (4) major programs under the
mandate of BJMP and they are the following:
PDL custody, security and control program.
PDL welfare and development program.
Decongestion program.
Good governance.
Core Programs
A. Provisions of Basic Needs
All PDL under custody are provided with three
(3) meals (breakfast, lunch and supper).
Adequate supply of potable water is made
available to them at all times. Likewise, upon
admission, each PDL is issued his or her PDL
uniform consisting of the yellow shirt and brown
jogging pants. Hygiene kits are also distributed
to the PDL on monthly or quarterly basis.
Occasionally, the provision of basic needs for
the PDL is supplemented by the food and non-
food donations from local government units,
non-government organizations, business sector
and private individuals.
B. Health Services
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Health services for PDL consist of interventions
towards the prevention, promotion, treatment of
illnesses and rehabilitation. All PDL undergo
medical assessment upon admission. During
confinement, PDL are provided with health
education and counseling, medical
consultations, regular health monitoring, and
provided medicines subject to availability. To
maintain the physical health of PDL, they are
allowed daily sunning and physical exercises.
C. Educational Program
The educational program aims to provide
opportunities for PDL to achieve mandatory
education. For this reason, BJMP adopted the
Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the
Department of Education for the PDL to earn
their elementary and high school diplomas.
Teachers in the jail-based ALS are BJMP
Personnel who are professional teachers and
trained on the Instructional Method for ALS. In
jails where there are no personnel trained to
handle ALS classes, the ALS teachers would
be coming from the Department of Education.
All PDL enrolled in the ALS earn their
respective Time Allowance for Teaching,
Studying and Mentoring (TASTM) pursuant to
RA 10592.
D. Skills Training/ Enhancement Program
The objective of the skills training program is to
equip the PDL with technical/vocational skills
which they can use in seeking employment or
starting their own business after release from
confinement. To make the PDL as competitive
as other potential job seekers, the skills
trainings preferred are those accredited by the
Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA) so that the PDL will be able
to earn National Certifications. Thus, only the
PDL who meet the eligibility requirements of
the specific skills training program being
offered can participate. 
E. Livelihood Program
The livelihood program presents income-
generating activities to PDL during their
confinement where they are able to earn for
their personal upkeep and for financial support
to their families. The capital for the livelihood
project are either from BJMP for BJMP-funded
projects or from the common fund of a group of
PDL for non-BJMP funded projects. Examples
of continuing and most popular livelihood
projects of PDL are bags and purses, bonsai
made of beads, pastries, rugs, paper crafts,
and wood crafts. To help the PDL earn from
these livelihood projects, the jail unit Welfare
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and Development Officer (UWDO) facilitates
the sale of the products in display centers or
livelihood caravans organized by the local
government units and other service providers.
In addition, online or e-marketing of PDL
products is also run by the jail unit Welfare and
Development Office.
F. Behavioral Management/ Modification
Program
BJMP implements the Therapeutic Community
Modality Program (TCMP) to manage and
modify behaviors of PDL with the goal of
positively changing their thinking and behavior
through structured group processes. The
program endeavors to teach and model
positive thinking, pro-social values, good
decision-making, and positive coping. Through
the program, PDL are trained on socially
acceptable ways of behaving and relating with
their fellow PDL and with personnel and visitors
thereby fostering a therapeutic jail environment
and maintaining a peaceful communal
atmosphere.
G. Interfaith Program
PDL are provided with the opportunity to
practice their faith while under custody without
discrimination, subject only to usual safety and
security measures. The BJMP chaplains and
imams provide different religious services such
as but not limited to mass celebrations,
communal prayers, spiritual counseling,
catechism, and others. Religious organizations
and their respective ministers/pastors and
leaders are accredited by BJMP to facilitate
their regular contact with PDL for the provision
of religious services.
H. Cultural and Sports Program
The cultural program aims to promote
camaraderie among PDL, encourage the
development of self-confidence and sharing of
cultural talents as form of positive
entertainment. Cultural activities allowed in jails
include dance, singing, theatre/drama, and art
workshops. Also, through this program, PDL
experience some sense of social normalcy
through the communal celebrations of socio-
cultural events like birthdays, Valentine’s Day,
Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, Christmas, Lent
and Easter, Ramadan, local festivals and other
similar activities.
I. Paralegal Program
The main objective of the Paralegal Program is
to address the overcrowding in jail facilities.
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Through the paralegal program, PDL are
assisted in availing of the different early modes
of release. Regional and jail paralegal officers
conduct continuous informative
seminars/orientations to PDL on their rights,
modes of early release, and other
paralegal/legal remedies which can be availed
of by them. Other paralegal services include
paralegal counseling and case follow-up in the
courts by the jail paralegal officers.   
J. E-Dalaw
The E-DALAW service is an alternative to the
traditional face-to-face visitation between PDL
and respective families. This service enables
the PDL to connect with his/her family through
a supervised video call and chat. The program
is conceptualized specifically to cater to PDL
whose family members cannot go to the jail for
actual visit because of the long distance to the
jail from the residence or workplace of the
family members. However, in case of jail
lockdown by reason of public health
emergency where visitation is suspended, all
PDL are allowed to use the e-dalaw to
communicate with their families on equitable
rotation basis.
 Support Services
A. Human Rights Desks
Every jail facility operates a 24-hour Human
Rights Desk handled by a designated Human
Rights Affairs Officer. The main function of the
Human Rights Desk is to receive complaints
concerning human rights violations from PDL
and visitors and to report the complaints thru
the appropriate reporting system to the
concerned BJMP offices and to the
Commission on Human Rights for investigation
and appropriate action.
B. Help Desk
In line with the government’s policy of providing
timely and speedy access to government
services, each jail facility has established its
own Help Desk managed by a designated Held
Desk Officer. The Help Desk functions as a
referral unit where PDL and visitors can lodge
their request for assistance concerning
personal or family needs. These requests are
evaluated by the Help Desk Officer and all
requests for assistance that cannot be
addressed by the jail are referred to the
concerned government agencies for
appropriate action.
C. Referrals for Aftercare
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Although BJMP recognizes the importance of
aftercare program for PDL to be released for
them to start a new, it is limited only to
providing welfare and developmental programs
to PDL while they are in custody. Nevertheless,
to ensure continuity of care of PDL upon
release, the jail unit Welfare and Development
Officer facilitate referrals to different community
resources. These referrals addressed to the
local government units, non-government
organizations and the business sector usually
include but not limited to seeking immediate
financial assistance for PDL’s repatriation,
employment/livelihood assistance, and
educational/vocational training scholarships,
medical and psychological interventions.
Special Program for Vulnerable Groups
A. Services for Pregnant PDL
Pregnant PDL, by reason of their medical
condition, are given special attention by the jail
nurses to ensure compliance to pre-natal and
post-natal care, timely provision of other
pregnancy-related needs, and assistance for
the care of the newborn until the latter is
endorsed to the immediate family or accredited
child-caring agency.
B. Services for Senior Citizen PDL and PDL
with Disabilities
In addition to implementing measures to
protect the senior citizen PDL and PDL with
disabilities from discrimination and establishing
functional priority lanes for them, the primary
policy is to link them to the local Office of
Senior Citizen Affairs Office (OSCA) and
Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) for
the acquisition of their respective Identification
Cards. The respective identification cards
issued by the local government unit are the
PDL’s access key to the different services for
senior citizens and persons with disabilities
mandated by the Senior Citizen’s Act and
Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
C. Services for PDL with other Special
Needs
PDL who are members of the LGBT community
maybe segregated from the general population
in terms of housing to prevent potential
mistreatments towards them by reason of their
gender expression and other vulnerabilities.
Nevertheless, they receive the same programs
and services provided to the general population
and they are encouraged to participate fully in
the socio-cultural activities of the jail.
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D. Mental Health Services
In general, preventive mental health aimed at
reducing incidence of mental health disorders
and developing positive coping mechanisms
are provided to all PDL. Preventive mental
health interventions include informative
seminars onstress management, psycho-
educational counseling and other supportive
psychological group activities. Likewise,
psycho-social support services or stress
debriefing to address trauma are facilitated for
PDL after the occurrence of untoward jail
incidents or in the aftermath of devastating
calamities directly affecting the PDL.
E. Drug Counseling for PDL with Substance
use Disorder
PDL with substance use disorder or have
history of illegal drug use and who were
granted plea bargaining under A.M. No. 18-03-
16 SC, are provided with drug counseling using
the Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad
(KKDK) approach. The KKDK is a psycho-
educational drug counseling program
developed consisting of twenty-four (24)
modules: eighteen (18) modules to be
completed by the PDL in a small group setting
with fellow PDL and six (6) family modules to
be participated by the PDL’s family. The drug
counseling runs for maximum duration of four
(4) months.
BJMP HYMN
Allegiance towards men
An endless devotion to share
Fair justice for unity and peace
The prize of humanity
Move on to a greater height
To shelter the lawless and untamed
Haven for miraculous changes
Coupled with trust and care.
 
Refrain:
Onward BJMP
Carry on lawful men and women
Soften the hardened, give love not hate
A hope for a brighter tomorrow
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Onward BJMP
Carry on with your noble cause
to change, to mold and transform men
To better citizens of the land
 
(Repeat Refrain till fade)

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THE BJMP BADGE

The BJMP badge that is about to be pinned on

your left chest is the symbol of legal authority.
It is placed near your heart to remind you of the
fidelity and dedication expected of you as
public servants.
This badge to be entrusted to you symbolizes
your worthiness as a jail officer – worthiness to
safekeep and develop the lawless elements of
our society, our clients – the Persons Deprived
of Liberty. The badge is a reminder for you to
always render the highest form of public
service with commitment of sacrifice and even
willingness to die in service of god, the country
and its people. This badge reminds you to
maintain the dignity of your character at all
times.
Now, the challenge once you receive the
badge is for you to walk tall, head up and
bravely face the daily risks and perils of your
duty. Keep the badge unblemished and free
from any breach of fidelity. By the regularity of
your conduct, always endeavor to avoid any
aspersion against our institution.
You are to preserve our cherished customs
and traditions and never countenance any
deviation from them nor allow them to be
overstepped.
Your dignity as a jail officer is symbolized by
the badge that is to be pinned on your heart.
Never swerve from your solemn oath of office,
nor violate your vows or betray the trust of the
public.
You are a jail officer – wear your badge with
honor and pride.

Prepared by:

JO2 Mart Law S Ocampo. RCrim

Intel JNCO, BJMP-RIII

References:

1. BJMP Comprehensive Operations

Manual 2015 edition
2. Website; https://www.bjmp.gov.ph

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