INSTITUTIONAL

CORRECTION
 EARLY PRISONS
1. Mamertine Prison – early Roman place of
confinement which is built under the main sewer
of Rome in 64 B.C.
 EARLY PRISONS
Bridewell Workhouse – built in 1557 in London for the
employment and housing of English prisoners.
Wallnut Street Jail – first American Penitentiary
Singsing Prison- The third prison built by the New York
State. It is a maximum-security prison inflicted aside
from floggings, denial of reading materials and solitary
confinement. The shower bath was a gadget so
constructed as to drop a volume of water on the head
of a locked naked offender. The force of icy cold water
hitting the head of the offender caused so much pain
and extreme shock that prisoners immediately sank
into coma due to the shock and hypothermia or
sudden drop in body temperature.
Alcatraz (The Rock)- The prison is located on an island
in San Francisco Bay. It was built for the military in the
1850’s and used by them, as a fort and a prison until
1933 when it passed to the Department of Justice
through the recommendation if Dir. John Edgar Hoover
and became a civil prison until it was closed in 1963
through the writings of James Bennet
The hardest prison in history where number one public
enemies are imprisoned like Al Capone.
Elmira Reformatory (The Hill)- It is considered as the
forerunner of modern penology because it had all the
elements of a modern system. Supt. Zebulon Reed
Brockway is the Director of the Elmira Reformatory in
New York (1876) who introduced certain innovational
programs like the following: Training school type –
Compulsory education of prisoners – casework
methods – Extensive use of parole – Indeterminate
sentence
Note: 1870-1880 is considered as the Golden Age of
Penology.
DEVELOPMENT OF PRISON
Early punishment in the form of execution was barbaric. This included
offenders being thrown to prisons with wild animals, staked out in the
sun with eyelids propped-open, stoned, disemboweled, dismembered,
flogged and even crucified.
The Wulnet Street Jail
Originally, constructed as a detention jail in Philadelphia. It was
converted into a state prison and became the first American
penitentiary. It became the first United States penitentiary system.
When legislator was passed, provisions were made to establish the
principle of solitary confinement, strit discipline, productive work and
segregation of the dangerous offenders.
The Auburn System
( congregate System)
Among its features was the confinement of the prisons in single cell at
night and congregate work in shops during day time. A complete
silence was strictly enforced. The system was considered as the most
effective and advantageous because, it has been observed that the
prisoners can finish more articles when they work together as a group
rather than working alone in their individual cells.
The Pennsylvania Prisons
(Solitary system)
This is the rival penitentiary system of the Auburn. Its features
consisted a solitary confinement of the prisoners in their own cell day
and night where they lived, slept, received religious instructions and
read bible. Silence also strictly observed.
THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
- 18th century is a century of change, the period of
recognizing human dignity.

PIONEERS:
1. William Penn (1614-1718)
- first leader to prescribe imprisonment as
correctional treatment for major offenders.
- responsible for the abolition of death penalty and
torture as a form of punishment
2. Charles Montesquieu (1689-1755)
- a French historian and philosopher who analyzed
law as an expression of justice.

3. Voltaire (1694-1778)
- he believes that fear of shame was a deterrent to
crime.

4. Cesare Bonesana Marchese de Beccaria (1737-1794)

- presented the humanistic goal of law.
5. Jeremy Bentham (1746-1832)
- the greatest leader in the reform of English Criminal
Law. He believes that whatever punishment designed
to negate whatever pleasure or gain the criminal
derives from crime, the crime rate would go down.
- the one who devise the ultimate PANOPTICAL
PRISON
6. John Howard (1726-1790)
- Sheriff of Bedfordshire in 1773 who devoted his life
and fortune to prison reform. Father of Prison
Reform
He recommended the following
• Single cells for sleeping
• Segregation of women
• Segregation of youth
• Provision of sanitary facilities
• Abolition of fee system by which jailers money from prisoners
PUNISHMENT - it is the redress that the state takes
against an offending member of society that
usually involve pain and suffering.

ANCIENT FORMS
✓ Death Penalty
✓ Physical Torture
✓ Social Degradation
✓ Banishment or Exile
✓ Transportation and Slavery
Images of the penal system of the past
 CONTEMPORARY FORMS OF PUNISHMENT

1. Imprisonment – based on degree of severity of crime

2. Parole – (After minimum term)
3. Probation – (No imprisonment)
4. Fine – According to set amount
5. Destierro - (25 kms away)
Modern Concept of Penology and jail
One of the main concept of the individual persons who is charges with
an offense is that they will be convicted and transported to a prison
institution they will be punished inside the correction institution, but
this idea is thing of the past. The main concept of the modern
correction is not to give punishment to offenders instead they will be
treated based on the treatment and rehabilitation program
implemented in the prison institution.
The modern concept of correction is to changes the attitude of the
offenders. Their way of life so that when they return to the mainstream
in community, they will now become a useful member of the society.
The Basic Principle of Correction
The Bureau of Correction has three basic principles in
the rules of admission, custody, treatment of the
inmates;
1. Seek to promote discipline and to secure the reformation and safe
custody of inmates.
2. Justice shall be applied impartially, without discrimination, on
grounds of race, color, genders, language, religion or other opinion,
nationality, social origin, property, birth and other status
3. Justice shall be enforced with firmness but tempered with
understanding
Definition of terms commonly used in the
correctional study
1. Prison- refers to penal establishment under the control of the Bureau of
Correction and shall include the New Bilibid Prisons and the other
Correctional institutions.
2. Inmates- refers to a national prisoner or on sentenced by a court to serve
a maximum term of imprisonment of more than three years or to a fine
more than one thousand pesos.
3. Detainee- a person who confined in prison pending preliminary
investigation, trial or appeal; or upon legal process issued by competent
authority
4. Death convict- refers to an inmate whose death penalty is imposed by
the Regional Trial Court, which is affirmed by the Supreme Court Ren
Banc.
5. Superintendent- refers to the one in charged of prisons
6. Carpeta- refers to the institutional record of inmates which
consist of; mittimus commitment order, prosecutor’s
information and the decision of the trial court including the
appellate court
7. Prison record- refers to the information concerning and
inmate’s personal circumstances, offense committed,
sentenced imposed, criminal case number in the trial, and
appellate court, the date when service of their sentence
commanded, the date wen the inmate received mittimus
commitment order for confinement;
the place of confinement, the date of expiration of sentence,
the number of previous convictions, and the behavior or
conduct while in prison.
Jails
The origin of the Word Jail

Jail – Spanish word = “Jaulo” – Cage

The etymologist attributed the word jail to have originated from the
Spanish term “Caula” French word of jail referred to as “Gaol”
pronounce G’eole. It is a place for arrested for debt or crime and were
held in custody. In 14 century the arestees were even entrusted to the
knights of the shire.
Jail Legal Definition
jail is a building or place for the confinement or arrested or
sentenced persons. It is usually made up of cells, which are
small rooms or enclosures where prisoners are actually kept
or confined.
It is a place for lock-up of persons who are convicted of minor
offenses or felonies who are to serve a short sente4nces
imposed upon them by a competent court, or for confinement
of persons who are awaiting trial or investigation or their
cases.
Jail VS Bureau of Correction
The difference between the Jail and the Bureau of
Correction is that jail houses cater offenders who are
possibly face with penalty of not more than three years
and it is under the Department of 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 waiting for the results of their appeal and those
who are convicted for more than three years. The
Bureau of Corrections is directly under the Department
of Justice.
IMPORTANCE OF JAIL
1. Serve as a deterrent to would-be criminal offender
2. It enables the wrongdoer to be reformed and rehabilitated
Types of Jail
Lock-up cells- is a security facility for the temporary
detention of persons held for investigation
General classification of prisoner
1. Detention prisoner- detained for investigation, preliminary hearing, or
awaiting trial. A detainee in a lock up jail. They are prisoners under the
jurisdiction of the court
2. Sentenced prisoner- committed to the jail or prison in order to serve their
sentence after final conviction by a competent court. They are prisoners
under the jurisdiction of the penal institutions
3. Prisoner who are safekeeping- includes non-criminal offenders who are
detained in order to protect the community against their harmful behavior.
E.g mentally deranged individuals, insane persons.
Section 4. CLASSIFICATION OF DETAINEES – The
Three (3) types of detainees are those:
• A. Undergoing investigation
• B. Awaiting or undergoing trial; and,
• C. Awaiting final judgment
Section 1. COURTS AND OTHER ENTITIES AUTHORIZED TO
COMMIT A PERSON TO JAIL – The following (courts & entities) are
authorized to commit a person to jail
• A. Supreme Court
• B. Court of Appeals
• C. Sandiganbayan
• D. Regional Trial Court
• E. Metropolitan / Municipal Trial Court
• F. Municipal Circuit Trial Court
• G. Congress of the Philippines
• H. All other administrative bodies or persons authorized by law to arrest
and / or commit a person to jail
Types of Jail
City jail, Provincial and Municipal jail (ordinary jails)-
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.
(3) The Department of Social Welfare and
Development (DSWD) RA 9344- Juvenile
takes care of the sentenced Youth
offenders. which are located in the
ten (10) Regional Youth
Rehabilitation Centers nationwide.
Justice and Welfare Act
of 2006
• Under the law, children 15
years old and below would
be exempted from criminal
liability while youth
offenders ages 15 to 18
years old could only be
criminally charged if they
committed the crime with
discernment.
• IMPORTANT FEATURES OF RA 9344
❑It provides the immediate turnover of children in conflict with the
law to social workers upon apprehension.
❑If detention is necessary, the youth offenders would be transferred to
youth detention homes set up by the local governments and non-
government organizations.
❑Created the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council under the
Department of Justice that would oversee its implementation.
 The Philippine Correctional System
Institution Based and Community Based Approach
 Both systems are being implemented on a
fragmentary basis by three (3) Departments of
the Executive Branch of the government. These
are:

Dept. Of Justice, Dept. of Interior

& Local Govt. , Dept. of Social
Welfare & Development
 (1) Department of Justice (DOJ)
takes care of the National Prisoners. The National
Prison and Penal Farms which is being supervised
and administered by the Bureau of Corrections
(BUCOR) This is headed by a civilian Director.
Tasked to rehabilitate national prisoners so they
can become useful members of society upon
completion of their sentence
Bureau of prisons as renamed bureau of corrections under EO 292
passed during the Aquino administration. It states that the had of the
BuCor is a director of prisons who is appointed by the president of the
phil. With the confirmation of the commission of appointment.
The bucor has general supervision and control of all national prisons or
penitentiaries. It is charged with the safekeeping of all insular prisoners
confirmed or committed to the custody of the bureau.

Coverage of the bucor

These are the prisoners whose penalty ranges from 3
YRS AND 1 DAY to LIFE IMPRISONEMENT and those
convicted with the DEATH penalty or a fine of more
than five thousand pesos, or regardless of the length
of sentence, to one sentenced for violation of custom
law or other laws under the jurisdiction of the
Bureau of Customs or for violation of immigration
and election laws, or to one sentenced to serve two
or more sentence the total of which exceeds three
years.
NATIONAL PRISONERS are also referred to under the
law as Insular Prisoners.
 (2) The Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG)

takes care of the municipal, city and district

Jails. The Provincial Jails and sub-provincial jails
are operated by the Provincial Local government
Units under the supervision and management
by their respective governors in each province
and whose penalty ranges from SIX (6) MONTHS
and ONE DAY UP TO THREE(3) YEARS;
 the local jails namely, the Municipal jails, City
jails and District jails are under the supervision
and administration of the Bureau of Jail
Management and Penology (BJMP) and whose
penalty ranges from ONE (1) DAY to SIX (6)
MONTHS for Municipal Jail inmates, and for
City Jail inmates whose penalty ranges from
ONE (1) DAY TO THREE (3) YEARS. The district
jail may be created thereat if the monthly jail
population is less than ten (10) inmates
Classification of Prisoners
1. Insular Prisoner- one who is sentenced to a prison term or
three (3) years and one day to death.
2. Provincial Prisoner- one who is sentenced to a prison term
of six (5) months and one (1) day to three (3) years
3. City Prisoner- one who sentenced to a prison term of one
day to three years
4. Municipal Prisoner- one who sentenced to a prison term of
one day to six months.
Jail under the Provincial
Administrator’s Office
in every province, the BJMP operates and maintains a
Provincial Jail Administrator’s Office headed by the
Provincial Administrator, to oversee the
implementation of jail services of all districts, city and
municipal jails within its territorial jurisdiction.
Provincial Jail
The provincial jails in the phil is not under the jurisdiction of Bucor.
They are managed and controlled by the provincial government
District Jail
Within large cities or a group of clustered municipalities, a
District jail headed by a District Warden may be
established.
The district jail may be created thereat if the monthly jail
population is less than ten (10) inmates
DISTRICT Jail is a consolidation of all inmates in two or four
municipal jails whose inmate population is less than 10
monthly provided it will be located near the Metropolitan
Trial Court or Regional Trial Court .The purpose is to
maximize the manpower and other logistical requirements.
City and Municipal Jail
The BJMP operates and maintains City and Municipal
Jails, each headed by the City or Municipal Warden, as
the case may be.
Categories of Inmates
There are two general classes of inmates;

1. Prisoner/s- inmates who is convicted by the Final

Judgment
2. Detainee/s- inmates who is undergoing investigation/trial
or awaiting trial/ sentencing
Punishable Acts
An inmate is strictly prohibited from committing any of the following acts:
a. Minor Offenses
1. Selling or bartering with fellow offender items not classified as
contraband.
2. Rendering personal service to fellow offender.
3. Untidy or dirty in his personal appearance.
4. Littering or failing to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in his quarters
and/or surroundings.
5. Making frivolous or groundless complaints.
6. Taking the cudgel for or reporting complaints on behalf of other
offenders.
7. Late in formation or duty without justifiable reasons.
8. Willful waste of food
b. Less Grave Offenses
1. Failure to report for work detail without sufficient justification,
2. Failure to render assistance to an injured personnel or inmate
3. Failure to assist in putting out fires inside the jail.
4. Acting boisterously during religious, social and other group
functions.
5. Swearing, cursing or using profane or defamatory language,
directed personally towards other persons.
6. Malingering or reporting for sick call to escape work assignment.
7. Spreading rumors or maliciously intriguing against the honor of any
person, particularly members of the custom dial force.
8. Failing to stand at attention and give due respect when confronted by or
reporting to any officer or member of the custodial force.
9. Forcing fellow inmates to render personal service to him and/or others.
10. Exchanging uniform or wearing clothes other than those issued to him
for the purpose of circumventing jail rules.
11. Loitering or being in an unauthorized place.
12. Using the telephone without authority from the desk officer/ warden.
13. Writing defacing or drawing on walls, floors or any furniture or
equipment.
14. Withholding information which is inimical and prejudicial to the jail
administration.
15. Possession of lewd or pornographic literature and/ or photographs.
16. Absence form cell, brigade place of work during headcount, or at
any time without justification reason.
17. Failing to turn over any implements/articles issued after the work
detail.
c. Grave Offences
1. Making untruthful statements or lies in official communication,
transaction or investigation.
2. Keeping or concealing keys or locks of places in the jail where it is off-
limits to offenders.
3. Giving gifts, selling to, or bartering with jail personnel.
4. Keeping in his possession money, jewelry or other contraband which the
rules prohibit.
5. Tattooing others or allowing him to be tattooed on any part of the body,
or keeping any paraphernalia to be used in tattooing.
6. Forcibly taking o extracting money from fellow inmates.
7. Punishing or inflicting injury or harm upon himself o other inmates.
8. Receiving, keeping, taking or imbibing liquor and other prohibited
drugs.
9. Making, improvising or keeping any kind of deadly weapon.
10. Concealing or withholding information on plans of attempted
escapes.
11. Unruly conduct and behavior and flagrant disregard of discipline
and instructions.
12. Escaping, attempting, or planning to escape from the institution or
from any guard.
13. Helping, aiding or abetting others to escape.
14. Fighting, causing any disturbance or participating therein and/or
agitating to cause such disturbance or riot.
15. Indecent immoral or lascivious acts by himself or others and/or
allowing to be the subject of such indecent, immoral or lascivious
acts.
SPECIAL NEED OR UNUSUAL OFFENDERS
As a general rule, special/unusual offenders should not be held in jails
with other offenders. Female offenders should be confined in separate
institutions from men. However, until adequately detention homes
shall have been provided, the jail will continue to serve as their
temporary homes.
The following are the offenders with special need/unusual offenders
a. FEMALE
b. DRUG ADDICTS
c. ALCOHOLICS
d. MENTALLY-ILL
e. SEX DEVIATES
f. ESCAPE-PRONE PRISONERS/DETAINEES
g. SUICIDE-RISK OFFENDERS
h. THE HANDICAPPED, AGED AND INFIRM
i. THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS
j. ALIEN OFFENDERS
The Philippines and the Admission,
Confinements and Classification of
inmates
The seven Penal Institution of the Philippines
History of early prison
the organizational set-up of the National Bureau of Prison and
the basic law on the Philippine Prisons system is found in the Revised
Administrative code known as the prison Law. This Law is specially
referred in sections 1705 to 1751 of the said code. The Prison law
states that the head of the Bureau of Prisons is the Director of Prisons
who is appointed of the commission on appointment . The Bureau of
Prison has a general supervision and control pf national and Provincial
prisons, and all penal institutions and is charged with the safe keeping
of all prisoners confined therein or committed to custody of the said
bureau
The purpose of Confinement
The Bureau of Correction has its own two purpose of
confinement of the offender (PDL) or person committed to
prisons;

1. To segregate them to the society; and

2. To rehabilitate them so that upon returning to society they
shall be responsible and law abiding citizens.
1. Seek to promote discipline and to secure the reformation and safe
custody of inmates.
2. Justice shall be applied impartially, without discrimination, on
grounds of race, color, genders, language, religion or other opinion,
nationality, social origin, property, birth and other status
3. Justice shall be enforced with firmness but tempered with
understanding
Bureau of Corrections / Department of Justice
The national prisons, which house more serious offenders, already
convicted with a sentence of more than three years is maintained by
the bureau of corrections (BuCor), an agency under the department of
justice (DOJ). The bureau is responsible for the safekeeping of prisoners
and their rehabilitation through general and moral education and
technical training in industry and agriculture. The bureau also oversees
the operation of prison agro-industries and their production of food
commodities.
The Bureau of Corrections maintains seven correctional institution and
penal farms. The nation’s largest prison in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP)
at Muntinlupa that also operates the Manila City Jail. The penitentiary
or long-term incarceration. It is divided into three camps to separate
those serving maximum, medium and minimum penalties.
The Correctional Institution for women is located in Metropolitan
Manila. Combination prison and penal farms are also located in
Zomboanga City, Palawan, Mindoro Occidental, and several Mindanao
Provinces.
NATIONAL Bilibid Prison- (Muntinlupa Rizal)
The first penal institution in the
country was established even before
the effectivity of the Spanish Penal
Code and while the Recompilation laws
were still the existing laws of the
islands. This prison facility is the Bilibid
Prison which was constructed in
1847... it was only recognized and
formally designated as an Insular
Penitentiary through Royal Decree
issued in 1865.
Bilibid Prison- (Muntinlupa City)
The plan for the bilibid prisons was
such that the brigades were
constructed in radical spokes of wheel
form. For easy command and control, a
central tower was placed at the center
of the spokes; this was made of strong
adobe so sturdy that even to this day
after its transfer to City of manila, it
still stands and has been used by the
City of Manila as the City Jail.
Bilibid Prison- (Muntinlupa City)
The place is still famous for its name as
the “May Haligue State” at the nearby
Central Market of Manila. In 1936 the
City of Manila exchanged its
Muntinlupa property of 552 Hectares
with that of Bureau of Prisons.
New Bilibid Prison
• Today the new Bilibid Prisons operate two
satellite units namely; Bukang Liwayway
Camp and Camp Sampaguita. This two
camps are located a few hundred meters
back of new Bilibid Prisons. Bukang
Liwayway camp houses minimum
security risk prisoners who work on
various projects of institution; while the
camp Sampaguita houses medium
security risk prisoners and located near
the Reception and Diagnostic Center
(RDC) and the Youth Rehabilitation
Center.

2023 Correctional Organization 80

New Bilibid Prison
the new Bilibid Prisons specialized in
industrial type of vocational training. It
operates a furniture shop, shoe repairing
shop, black smith; auto mechanics, mobile
and body building, etc. the new Bilibid
Prisons offers a high school course and
colleged course major in management.
Their high school course started in 1956 for
prisoners who desire to complete their
secondary education.

2023 Correctional Organization 81

New Bilibid Prison
• The New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in
Muntinlupa, Metro Manila is the main
insular prison designed to house the
prison population of the Philippines. It
is maintained by the Bureau of
Corrections (BuCor) under the
Department of Justice. As of October
2022, the NBP housed 29,204
inmates, which exceeds its ideal
capacity of 6,345.

2023 Correctional Organization 82

San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in
San Ramon Prison and Penal Farms was named in memory of its
Zamboanga
founder, Ramon City
Blanco, a Spanish Captain in the Royal Army

o The Spanish authorities in 1869 saw the

need of stablishing one prison separate
from bilibid prison for those who fought
against the established government. In
effect San Ramon and Prison Farm in
Zamboanga, were established for the
confinement of political offenders. Filipino
fighters who advocated for reform against
the Spanish government and those who
were not executed or put to death were
sent to either Guam or Marianas Island or
to Zamboanga.
2023 Correctional Organization 83
San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in
San Ramon Prison and Penal Farms was named in memory of its
Zamboanga
founder, Ramon City
Blanco, a Spanish Captain in the Royal Army

o One of the known Filipino political

prisoners is no other than Dr. Jose Rizal,
who fought for reforms and was
considered as an enemy of the Spanish
Government.
o The land area is 1,524.6 hectares The
principal product is copra, which is the
biggest sources of income of the Bureau of
Prisons.
2023 Correctional Organization 84
In November 1, 1905, Reorganization act 1407 was passed into law
mandating the Philippine Commission to create the Bureau of Prisons
under the department of Commerce and Police. Later, jurisdiction was
assigned to the Dept. of Instruction., the predecessor of the Dept. of
Education. Finally to the Dept. of Justice.

The Iwahig Penal Colony, as a destination for maximum security

incorrigible prisoners. Instead, convicts who were well behaved and
pliable were assigned to this facility.
Today, this Penal institution is considered
as one of the most open penal institution
in the world. It was from this facility that
the term “Prison without Wall” had its
beginning. The Iwahig Penal Colony has a
land area of 36,000 hectares and was
divided into four (4) sub-colonies for a
more practical consideration of easier
administration and management. These
sub-colonies are
1. Sta Luisa, 9685 hec
2. Inagawan,13000 hec
3. Montible,8000
4. Central sub- colony14700
 Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

This unique “prison without bars” was established by

the Americans in 1904. The inmates tend vast farms
instead of idly spending time behind bars. The more
enterprising earn by making handicrafts and other
productive activities during their spare time. Iwahig
has since become synonymous to finely handcrafted
bags and other souvenir items.
The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is one of the
most popular prisons in the Philippines. It was
established in 1902 by the United States for the
Filipino prisoners who had fought with the American
during their colonization in the Philippines.
The Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is located at
Baranggay Iwahig, Palawan and is 30 minute ride
from the province's capital, Puerto Princesa. Currently,
it houses some 4,000 inmates.
• On November 27,1929, Republic Act 3579 was passed into law
establishing the Correctional Institution for Women. This Penal
institution was constructed on an 18-hectare piece of land, in
Mandaluyong. Before the construction of this women institution
Prisoners were confined in portion of the Bilibid Prison. In 1934, the
position of Female superintendent was created to superintendent
the operation of this penal facility. Today, the institute is run entirely
by female personnel with the exception of the perimeter guards who
are male.
 The Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in
CIW, LOCATED IN MANDALUYONG CITY, IS THE COUNTRY’S FIRST
Mandaluyong City
AND ONLY PENAL INSTITUTION DEDICATED TO WOMEN OFFENDERS.

CIW WAS BORN VIA THE SIGNING OF ACT NO. 3579 ON NOVEMBER
1929, WHICH AUTHORIZED THE TRANSFER OF ALL-WOMEN INMATES
OF THE OLD BILIBID PRISON IN MANILA TO A NEW FACILITY. SOME
270 FEMALE INMATES WERE TRANSFERRED ON FEBRUARY 1931 TO A
BUILDING IN MANDALUYONG (THEN PART OF RIZAL) THAT WAS
INITIALLY CALLED THE WOMEN’S PRISON.
IT WAS LATER RENAMED TO CIW “IN KEEPING WITH EMERGING
TRENDS IN PENOLOGY, WHICH EMPHASIZED CORRECTION RATHER
THAN PUNISHMENT.”

2023 Correctional Organization 89

In sept. 2017 the sub-colony of Davao Prison and Penal farm was
converted as satellites prison intended for the female convicted
inmates outside Manila. There were 98 convicted female inmates who
arrived as the first contingent. The Davao Correctional Institution for
Women CIW Mindanao was opened through the help of some Civic
organizations of Davao Del Norte. It is the first Female Prison institution
in Visayas and Mindanao.
Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm
in Occidental Mindoro

Sablayan Penal Colony Farm : On September 26,1954

through Proclamation No. 72. the Sablayan Penal
Colony was constructed in a 16,000 hectare lot
located in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. It is an open
type institution which has rice for its principal
product and grows vegetable crops for their
consumption and that of the convict of the other
institutions. The penal colony is self reliant in terms
of agricultural product needs and considered as the
fastest growing and youngest institution in the
Philippine correctional administration system
2023 Correctional Organization 91
 Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte

• The Leyte Region Prison (LRP)

was created by virtue of P.D No.
28 and was established on Jan.
16, 1973 under PD. 1101,
established to serve the
convicted offenders for more
than 3 years
 Davao Prison and Penal Farm in
Panabo, Davao Province.
• Founded by Gen. Paulino Santos. Created by
virtue of Act 3732 and Proclamation 414 series of
1931
• formerly known as the Davao Penal Colony, the
Davao Prison and Penal Farm was built on January
21, 1932
• located at Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte
•mostly devoted to abaca and banana plantation
• In 1942, it was used as a concentration camp for
American Prisoners of War
• it is the main source of income of the Bureau of
Corrections
2023 Correctional Organization 93
MAJOR PRODUCTS - Abaca, Banana, Rice, Copra, Cattle and
other farm products and now the biggest abaca plantation in
the country.

The Davao Penal Colony is the first penal settlement founded

and organized under Filipino administration.

2023 Correctional Organization 94

Classification of inmates
• Every prison institution shall have a classification board which shall
classify inmates in accordance with the correctional operating
manual. The board shall be composed of the following;
• Chairman Superintendent
• Vice-chairman chief Reception and Diagnostic center
• Member medical officer, chief education section, chief
agro-industries section
• Secretary chief overseer
General classification of prisoner
Sentence prisoner- the word “sentence” has assumed a special
meaning in our statues to specially refer to judgement rendered by the
court in a criminal case. A judgement or sentence is final and executory
if no appeal lies therefore
detention prisoner- a prisoner is detained when he is placed in
confinement or when there is restraint on this person
CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACCORDING
TO DEGREE OF SECURITY
Maximum Security
This shall include highly
dangerous or super security risk
inmates as determination by the
classification board who are
required a high degree of control
and supervision.
Under the category
• Those sentence to death
• Those whose minimum sentence
is twenty years imprisonment
• Remand inmates or detainee
who sentence is twenty and
above, and those whose
sentences are under review by
the Supreme Court or the Court
of Appeal
CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACCORDING
TO DEGREE OF SECURITY
Maximum Security
This shall include highly
dangerous or super security risk
inmates as determination by the
classification board who are
required a high degree of control
and supervision.
Under the category
• Those with pending cases
• Recidivists, habitual delinquents, and
escapees
• Those confined at the Reception and
Diagnostic Center
• Those under disciplinary punishment
or safe keeping
• Those who are criminally insane or
those with serve personally or
emotional disorders; that make them
dangerous to fellow inmates or the
prison staff.
CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACCORDING
TO DEGREE OF SECURITY
Med Security
This shall include who cannot be
trusted in less secured areas and
those who conduct or behavior
require minimum supervision;
under this category
Under the category
• Those whose minimum sentence is
less than 20 yeas imprisonment
• Remand inmates or detainee whose
sentence are below twenty years
• Those who are 18 years of age and
below regardless of case and
sentence
• Those who have 2 or more record of
escapes they can be classified as
medium security if they have served 8
years since they were recommitted
and those with one record of scape
must serve five years
CLASSIFICATION OF PRISONERS ACCORDING
TO DEGREE OF SECURITY
Minimum Security
This shall include those who can
be reasonably trusted to served
their sentence under less
restricted condition; under this
category
Under the category
• Those with a severe physical handicap as
certified by the chief medical officer of
the prison
• Those who are 60 years old and above,
without pending case, and whose
conviction are not on appeal
• Those who have served one-half (1/2) of
their minimum sentence or one
third(1/3) of their sentence excluding
GCTA as provided in chapter 4 part 3 of
the Correctional operating manual
• Those who have only 6 months more to
serve before the expiration of their
maximum sentence.
Color of uniform as to security classification
The color of uniform of an inmate shall be based on his security
classification
• Maximum security- tangerine/orange
• Medium security- blue
• Minimum security- brown
• Detainee- gray
(correctional operating manual 1998)
PROVINCIAL JAILS
Provincial jails in the Philippines are not under the jurisdiction
of bureau of correction. They are managed an controlled by
the provincial government.
BJMP (Bureau Of Jail Management and
Penology)
The BJMP exercises supervision and control over all cities and
municipal jails throughout the country. The enactment of RA
6975 created the BJMP. It operates as a line bureau under the
Department of the Interion and Local Government (DILG).
Mission of BJMP
The jail bureau shall direct, supervise and control the
administration and operation of all district, city and municipal
jails to attain a better system of jail management nationwide.
Objectives of BJMP
1. To improve the living conditions of the offenders in accordance with
the accepted standards set by the united nations.
2. To enhance the rehabilitation and reformation of offenders in
preparation for their eventual reintegration into the mainstream of
society upon their release
3. To professionalize jail services.
Principles of BJMP
➢It is the obligation of jail authorities to confine offenders safely and
provide rehabilitative programs that will negate criminal tendencies
and restore their positive values to make them productive and law
abiding citizens
➢No procedure or system of correction shall deprive any offender of
hope for his ultimate return to the fold of the law and full
membership in society.
➢Unless provided otherwise, any person accused of a criminal offense
be presumed innocent and his rights, as a free citizen shall respected
except for such indispensable restraints during his confinement in the
interest of justice and public safety.
➢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 rights are limited or controlled for security reasons
➢Health preservation and prompt treatment of illness or injury is a
basic right of every person confined in jail and it is the duty of jail
facilities to arrange for their treatment subject to security measures.
➢Members of the custodial force shall set themselves as examples by
performing their duties in accordance with the rules and respect the
laws duly constituted by authorities.
➢No jail personnel shall be abusive, insulting, indecent languages on the
offenders
➢No jail personnel shall use unnecessary force on offenders except for
legitimate self-defense or in cases of attempted active and passive physical
resistance to a lawful order.
➢No jail personnel shall use unnecessary force on offenders except for
legitimate self-defense or in cases of attempted active and passive physical
resistance to a lawful order.
➢No penalty shall be imposed upon any offender for violation of
rules/regulations unless in accordance with duly approved disciplinary
procedures.
➢Penalties to be imposed shall not be cruel, inhuman, or degrading, and no
physical punishment shall be employed as a correctional measure.
➢Members of the custodial force must understand that offenders need
treatment and counseling and the primary purpose of confinement is
for safekeeping and rehabilitation.
➢When conducting routinely custodial guarding, the ratio of 1:7, or
one guard for every 7 offenders shall be observed.
➢When the offender is in transit, the ratio of 1:1+1 for every offender
shall be observed. In case of high-risk offender that demands extra
precaution additional guards shall be employed. This manning level
shall be national in scope for effective jail administration.
POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND ORGANIZATION OF
THE BJMP
A. Powers - The Bureau shall exercise supervision and control over all
districts, city and municipal jails to ensure a secured, clean, sanitary
and adequately equipped jail for the custody and safekeeping of city
and municipal prisoners, any fugitive from justice or persons detained
awaiting investigation or trial and/or transfer to the National
Penitentiary, and any violent, mentally ill person who endangers
himself or the safety of others.
B. Functions - Inline with its mission, the Bureau endeavors to perform
the following:
1. Formulate policies and guidelines on the administration of all
districts, city and municipal jails nationwide;
2. Formulate and implement policies for the programs of correction,
rehabilitation and treatment of offenders;
3. Plan the program funds for the subsistence allowance of offenders;
4. Conduct researches, develop and implement plans and programs
for the improvement of jail services throughout the country.
The BJMP, also referred to as the Jail Bureau, was created pursuant to
Section 60, R.A. no. 6975, and initially consisting of uniformed officers
and members of the Jal management and Penology service as
constituted under P.D. no. 765
The Bureau shall be headed by a chief with the rank of Director, and
assisted by a Deputy Chief with the Bank of Chief Superintendent
The Central Office is the Command and Staff HQ of the Jail Bureau composed of 3 Command
Groups, 6 Coordinating Staff Divisions, 6 Special Staff Groups and 6 Personal Staff Groups namely:
1. Command Group
Chief, BIMP
Deputy C/BJMP
Chief of Staff
2. Coordinating Staff Groups
Administrative Division
Operations Division
Logistics Division
Finance Management
Division Research Plans and Programs
Division Inspection and Investigation Division
3. Special Staff Groups 4. Personal Staff Groups
General Services Unit Alde-de-Camp
Health Services Unit Intelligence Office
Public Information Office
Chaplain Services Unit
Legal Office
Community Services Unit Adjudication Office
Finance Services Unit Internal Audit
Hearing Office
note
Ass. What are the functions of these positions
• Regional Office- each Region shall have a designated Assistant
regional Director for Jail management and Penology.
• Provincial Level - there shall be designated a Provincial Jail
Administrator to perform the same functions as the ARDS province
wide
• District Office - where there are large cities and municipalities, a
district jail with subordinate jails, headed by a District warden may be
established as necessary.
• City and Municipal Officer In the City and Municipal level, a city or
municipal Warden shall head each Jail.
Rank classification of BJMP (RA 9263 of march
10 2004-applicable also to BFP)
Page 12
Duties and Responsibilities:
D. WARDEN - Direction, Coordination, and Control of the Jail and
responsible for 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, prisoners
and submit reports to the warden.
3. Public Relation Office - Maintain public relation to obtain the
necessary and adequate public support
E. ASSISTANCE WARDEN
1. The office of the Assistant Warden undertakes the development of a systematic
process of
2. Chairman of the Classification Board and Disciplinary Board. treatment.

F. ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS-take charge of all administrative functions of the jail

bureau.
1. Personnel Management Branch
a. Assignment of personnel
b. Procedures of selection
c. Preparation of personnel reports
d. Individual record file
2. Records and Statistics Branch
a. Keep and maintain booking sheets and arrest reports
b. Keep an orderly record of fingerprints and photographs
c. Present/ Prepare statistical data of inmates

3. Property and Supply Branch - Take charge of the safekeeping of

equipment's 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
a. Responsible for the maintenance and repair of jail facilities and
equipments.
b. It is also task with the cleanliness and beautification of the jail
compound.
7. Mittimus Computing Branch - Tasked to receive court decisions and
compute the date of the full completion of the service of sentence of
inmates.
G. 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.
1. Escort Platoon a) Escort Section- to escort inmate upon order of
any judicial body; upon summon of a court; or transfer to other
penal institutions by Subpoena Section-receives and distribute
court summons, notices, subpoenas, etc.
2. Security Platoon-a three (3) working platoon shifts responsible for
over all security of the ja compound including gates, guard posts
and towers. They are also responsible for the admitting and
releasing unit
H. REHABILITATION PURPOSES GROUPS - This group provides services and
assistance to prisoners and their families to enable them to solve their Individual
needs and problems arising from the prisoners confinement.
1. Medical and Health Services Branch - Provides medical and physical
examinations of inmates upon confinement, treatment of sick inmates and
conduct medical and physical examinations and provide medicines or
recommends for the hospitalization of seriously ill prisoners or Inmates. It also
conducts psychiatric and psychological examinations.
2. Work and Education Therapy Services - It take charge of the job and
educational program is needed for rehabilitation of inmates by providing them
job incentives so they can earn and provide support for their families while in
jail.
3. Socio-Cultural Services- It takes care of the social case work study of the
individual prisoners by making interviews, home visits, referral to community
resources, free legal services, and liaison works for the inmates.
4. Chaplaincy Services-It takes charge of the religious and moral
upliftment of the inmates through religious services. This branch caters
to all religious sects.
5. Guidance and Counseling Services Responsible for the individual
and group counseling activities to help Inmates solve their Individual
problems and to help them lead a wholesome and constructive life.
Admission, Confinement and classifications of inmates
 Admission, confinement and classification of inmate, is not just
an administrative apparatus of control, but to harmonize the inherent
disparity of class to clash by nature of its congenital character or by its
societal structure. In simple term, it is the segregation by distinction
and not by discrimination.
what this mechanism seeks to avoid is the absurdity of inmates
of being morally subjugated by its own peers by reason of age,
notoriety, disability and other factors beyond his personal competence
to resist. There can never be a meaningful rehabilitation, if the wards
are being terrorized by biting signs of coercion and oppressions. Prison
statistics has shown names of inmates who entered as cub but ended
as a tiger.
 Who is the prisoner
The term prisoner is commonly used in law to designate a person in legal
custody charged with crime or public offense. In broad sense, any person
unlawfully restrained of his liberty or unlawfully detained from his proper
custody; any person who is being held in a confinement against his will; a
captive detained in a place of confinement is a prisoner. In a narrower and
more technical sense, a person deprived of his liberty by a virtue of a judicial
or other lawful process; a person committed to prison, one that is confined in
prison on an action or upon commandment (People vs. Liong, 47 OG 1323).
The admission procedures in prison
Admission/receiving/ checking of commitment papers
An inmates shall be admitted in the RDC of prison upon presentation
of the following documents;
a. mittimus/commitment order from the court- (a warrant issued by
the court directing the jail or prison authorities to receive the
convicted offender for the service of sentence imposed therein or for
detention) the mittimus/commitment order shall be under the
signature of the judge and shall bear the seal of the court attested
by clerk of court
b. Information and court decision of his case
c. Certification of detention if any
d. Certification that the case of the inmate is not on appeal; a female
inmate shall received only in CIW
Registration/identification
• A prison shall keep a bound registration book wherein all
commitments shall be recorded chronologically. The registration shall
contain the following entities;
a. Name of inmate/s
b. Reason for commitment and the authority therefor
c. Sentence
d. Date and hour of admission
e. Date and hour of discharge, and or transfer and basis therefore
Searching
• This step involves the frisking of the prisoner and searching his
personal things. Weapons and other item classified as contraband are
confiscated and deposited to the property custodian. Other
properties are deposited with trust fund officer under recording and
receipts.
Briefing and orientation
• The prisoner will be brief and oriented on the rules and regulations of
the prison he will be assigned to the RDC or the quarantine unite
THE QUARANTINE CELL OR UNIT This may be a unit of the prison 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, which might be transferred to the prison
population.
 ADMISSION AND CONFINEMENT OF INMATES
There shall be a Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC) in every prison which
shall receive, study, and classify inmates and detainees committed to the
bureau.
This is a special unit of prison (Camp Sampaguita) where new prisoners
undergo diagnostic examination, study and observation for the purpose of
determining the programs of treatment and training best suited to their needs
and the institution to which they should be transferred. It is composed of the
following staff members:
1. Psychiatrist-responsible in the examination of the prisoner's mental and
emotional make-up.
2. Psychologist-responsible to conduct study on the character and behavior of the
prisoners.
3. Sociologist-study the social case situation of the individual prisoner.
4. Educational Counselor conducts orientation classes in order to change inmates'
attitude towards education and recommends educational program for the
prisoner.
5. Vocational Counselor - to test the prisoner's special abilities, interest and skills
and recommends for the vocational course best suited to the prisoner.
6. Chaplain - encourage the prisoner to participate in religious activities.
7. Medical Officer-conducts physical examination and recommends medical
treatment of prisoners.
8. Custodial-Correctional Officer-recommends the transfer and type of custody of
inmates.
Upon admission in the Reception and Diagnostic Center an inmate shall
be placed in the quarantine for at last five (5) days during which shall
be;
a. given a physical examination to determine any physical illness or
handicap, or mental ailment, and to segregate those suspected of
having an infectious or contagious disease. It found sick the inmates
shall immediately be confined in a hospital;
b. orientation of prison rules and regulations; and
c. interview by a counselor, social worker, and or other program staff
officers; the interview shall be conducted in private.
After the quarantine period, the inmate shall remain in the Reception and
Diagnostic Center for a period of fifty five (55) days where he shall undergo
psychiatric, psychological, sociological, vocational, educational, religious and
other examinations. The results of said examinations shall b a basis for the
inmate's individualize treatment program; thereafter, he shall be assigned to a
prison facility as maybe recommended by the Chief of the Reception and
Diagnostic Center.
The Reception and Diagnostic Center shall keep a complete record of an
inmate, which shall include the inmate's personal circumstances, brief
personal social and occupational history, the results of the intake interview
and initial security classification.