Sablayan Prison And Penal 

Farm
SABLAYAN PRISON AND PENAL FARM:    Nearer to Manila than other penal colonies, the
Sablayan Penal Colony is located in Occidental Mindoro and relatively new.  Established on
September 26, 1954 by virtue of Presidential Proclamation No. 72, the penal colony has a total
land area of approximately 16,190 hectares.

Prison records show that the first colonists and employees arrived in Sablayan on January 15,
1955.  Since then several buildings have been constructed, including the colonists’ dormitories,
employees’ quarters, guardhouse, schoolhouse, chapel, recreation hall, and post exchange.

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sub-colonies were later organized.  One is a reservation which this day remains part of a
protected rainforest. Another is in a coastal area. The third was used by the national government
as a   relocation site for refugees from the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

Sablayan prison is a facility where prisoners from NBP are brought for decongestion purposes. 
It follows the same colony standards as other penal farms (source: http://www.bucor.gov.ph/).
Unlike any other or the usual penal colony, the prisoners here are almost enjoying their freedom.
Instead of being locked down inside concrete structures with metal bars, they can roam around
the area without so much restriction. They are also made to til the land area so as to have their
own supply of at least basic food requirements for during their stay.

Prisoners are also allowed to build their nipa huts. And since it is a mix of different religion,
churches and worship houses were constructed to cater various religions of the prisoners.

Some inmates were also allowed to have their wife/husband to live with them inside the colony.
This is evident by some playground around the area.

The penal provide also provides an access road to vehicles from Sablayan going to Abra de Ilog
Port.