CHAPTER 3

PDLs Admission Process and Procedures in the BJMP, Provincial Jails & BUCOR

The Classification Movement

The reorganization or the federal prison system in 1930, stared the movement for modern
correctional reforms. The most recent developments in individualization of treatment and
training of prisoners. State correctional system have adopted California’s system of
diversification by institution and diversification within the institution in the year 1944. Today, no
prison system which has effectively without this programs. Through such reorganization the
Reception and Guidance Center was established. It’s a new type of institution for the study of
the prisoner and preparation of his treatment and training program in prison.

Classification and Diversification

The Difference

Classification
Is the placing of prisoners into types or
categories for the implementation of the best
treatment programs. It is a method by which
diagnostic treatment planning and execution
of treatment programs are coordinated in
individual cases.
Diversification
Is an administrative device of correctional
institutions of providing varied and flexible
types of physical plants for more effective
control of the treatment programs of its
diversified population. It is the separation of
different types of inmates for sound
execution for their treatment and custody
The Classification Process

The rehabilitation program of the prisoner is carried through process of classification is more
than placing prisoners into types or categories it is a method by which diagnosis, treatment and
planning and execution of treatment program are coordinated in the individual care.

Objectives of Classification Process

The objectives of classification are the development of an integrated and realistic programs of
the prisoner arrived at through the coordination of diagnosis, planning and treatments activities
and an informed continuity of these activities from arrival to release of the prisoner.

The Three Phases of Classification

1. Diagnosis- this done inside the reception center in which the inmates will undergo series
of test, e.g. physical, mental and medical examination in other to determine the inmates
condition.

2. Treatment Planning- this will take place in the reception center, which is a special unit
from the prisoner or in the classification clinic of the prison. (After the staff interview
and staff conference is done, it will be then part of the admission summary)

3. Execution of the Treatment Program- this will take place in the operating institution or
prison.

Admission Procedure in Prison

 Receiving – prisoners from city or provincial jails where transferred in the national
prison after conviction by final judgment if the penalty is more than three years. The
prisoners are received at the Reception and Diagnostic Center for examinations.

 Checking – this include the checking of papers and other documents of prisoner by
the prison administrator, such as travel document or commitment order issued by
judge.

 Identification – proper identification of prisoner is done through his picture and

fingerprint.

 Searching – this involves frisking and searching hidden dangerous things or

weapons and other contraband.

 Orientation – this is the reading of rules and regulations of the prisons.

 Assignment – prisoner is sending to quarantine unit for a period of seven to ten
days.

Classification of Inmates as to Entitlement of

Privileges  Detainee;
 Third Class inmate – one who has either been previously committed for three (3) or more
times as a sentenced inmate, except those imprisoned for non-payment of a fine and those
who had been reduced from a higher class;
 Second Class inmate – a newly arrived inmate; an inmate demoted from first class; or one
promoted from the third class;
 First Class inmate – one whose known character and credit for work while in detention
earned assignment to this class upon commencement of sentence; or one who has been
promoted from the second class.
 Colonist.
8
Qualifications of a Colonist

 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;
 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.

Privileges of a Colonist

 Credit of an additional GCTA of five (5) days for each calendar month while he retains said
classification aside from the regular GCTA authorized under Article 97 of the RPC (not
applicable under present law) ;

 Automatic reduction of the life sentence imposed on the colonist to a sentence of thirty (30)
years;

 As a special reward to a deserving colonist, the issuance of a reasonable amount of

clothing and ordinarily household supplies from the government commissary in addition to
free subsistence; and

 To wear civilian clothes on such special occasions as may be designated by

the Superintendent.

Privilege of an Inmate in Visiting Relatives Who Died

 To view the remains of a deceased relative and all its supporting documents shall be filed
with the Superintendent at least two (2) days before the enjoyment of the privilege sought.

 Inmate may be allowed more or less three (3) hours to view the deceased relative in the
place where the remains lie in state.

 The privilege may be enjoyed only if the deceased relative is in a place within a radius of
thirty (30) kilometers by road from the prison. Where the distance is more than thirty (30)
kilometers, the privilege may be extended if the inmate can leave and return to his place
of confident during the daylight hours of the same day.

Time-Release Education

Thirty (30) days prior to his scheduled date of release, an inmate is transferred to the
Separation and Placement Center for the purposes of reorientation with the ways of free
society. Service of Non-Governmental Organization and their religious sector are made possible
to the offenders prior to release from prison to assist in their reintegration to society.

Release

The authorities who approve the release of an inmate are:

a. The Directors of the Bureau of Corrections upon the expiration of the

sentence of the prisoner.
b. The Board of Pardons and Parole in Parole case.
c. The Supreme Court of the Philippines or lower court in cases of acquittal of
the accused prisoner or grant of bail.
d. The President of the Philippines in cases of Executive Clemency or
Amnesty.

A release prisoner is supplied by the bureau with transportation fare to his home plus
gratuity of fifty pesos (P50.00) to cover the cost subsistence en route, and suit of decent
clothes.
9
Guidelines in Reception and Admission Procedures in

Jails Step 1. Checking of Credentials by the Desk Officer:

Carefully Examines the Following Documents:

 Commitment Order/ Mittimus;

 Information;
 Medical Certificate
 Police Booking Sheet

Entries to be scrutinized in the documents:

 Name of Detainee /Prisoner;

 Branch of Court (RTC /MTCC /MTC /MCTC)
 Offense Charged
 Case Number
1
  Signature of the Judge/Medical Officer
 Official Seal

Step 2. Search of detainee/prisoner by the Searcher

 Strip Searching of Detainee/Prisoner;

 Taking all cash and other personal property from the inmate and issue receipt;
 Turn-over all cash and valuables of the inmate to the Property Custodian for
safe keeping with official receipts.

Step 3. Physical examination/appraisal by the Jail Medical personnel

 Conduct a thorough medical examination of the inmate and check for body
vermin, cuts, bruises and other injuries and for needle marks to determine if
he/she is a drug dependent.
 Observe the mental alertness, overall appearance, physical abnormalities,
rashes, scratches or other identifying marks of the inmate.
 Inmate found with contagious disease or with psychological problems be
immediately isolated/segregated from other inmates.
 A medical record is accomplished to include medical history(Vital Signs: PB, Pulse
Rate & Temperature)
 Compare the findings with the medical certificate Issued by the Medico-legal
Officer upon his entry in jail.

Step 4. Taking of fingerprints and photograph, accomplish a jail booking, and

complete the documents required in the Carpeta.

Accomplish the Following Documents:

 Fingerprint Specimen Sheet;

 Jail Booking Report/Sheet;
 Profile of Escapee;
 Security Risk Factor Scoring Card;
 Detainee’s Manifestation;

In addition to the above enumerated documents, the Carpeta should also contain the
following, to wit:

 Commitment Order / Mittimus;

 Complaint;
 Information;
 Pending Warrant;
 Subpoena;
 Decision/Judgment;

Step 5. Orientation of inmate to jail rules and policies and about Article 29 of the
RPC/ R.A. 6127 (detainee’s manifestation) by the chief custodial or the officer of
the day.

Appraise the detainee, preferably in the dialect which he/she understands, that
under Article 29 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by R.A. 6127, that his her
preventive imprisonment shall be credited in the service of his/her sentence, consisting
of deprivation of liberty for the whole period he/she is detained if he/she agrees
voluntarily in writing to abide by the same disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted
prisoners; Provided, that he/she is not a recidivist, or has not been previously convicted
twice or more times of any crime; and when, upon being summoned for the execution
of his/her sentence, he/she surrendered voluntarily.

12
Step 6. Classification and Segregation of Newly Detained

Inmate Composition of the Classification Board:

a. Chairman - Deputy Warden

b. Member - Chief, Custodial/Security Office
c. Member - Medical Officer/ Public Health Officer
d. Member - Jail Chaplain
e. Member - Inmates Welfare and development Officer