RA No.

6975 – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Act of

1990

RA No. 9263 – “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology Professionalization Act of 2004”

RA No. 10575 – The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013

JAIL POSITIONS AND CORRESPONDING RANKS

POSITION RANK (under RA 6975) RANK (under RA 9263)

1. Municipal Jail Warden Senior Jail Warden Senior Jail Inspector
2. City Jail Warden Senior Jail Inspector Chief Jail Inspector
3. District Jail Warden Chief Jail Inspector Jail Superintendent
4. Provincial Jail Jail Superintendent Jail Superintendent
Administration
5. Asst. Regional Director Jail Superintendent
for Administration
6. Asst. Regional Director Jail Superintendent
for Operation
7. Regional Chief of Jail Superintendent
Directorial Staff
8. Regional Director of At least Jail
JMP Superintendent
9. Director of the At least Jail
Directorate of National Superintendent
Headquarters Office
10. Deputy Chief for Chief Jail Superintendent
Administration of the Jail
Bureau
11. Deputy Chief for Chief Jail Superintendent
Operation of the Jail
Bureau
12. Chief of the Chief Jail Superintendent
Directorial Staff of the
Jail Bureau
13. Chief of the Jail Jail Director
Bureau

Increase of Personnel-inmate ratio and manpower

The BuCor shall maintain the custodial personnel-to-inmate ratio of 1:7 and
reformation personnel-to-inmate ratio of 1:24. Hence, it is authorized to increase
its manpower to meet such ratio and may continue to increase personnel per
percentage rate increase of committed inmates annually or as the need arises.

Reference: Book in Institutional Correction (The Institution-based Correction in

the Philippines by: Brian B. Guerero and Ronith L. Molato

Organizational Setup and Responsibilities

The BJMP is headed by a Chief who is assisted by two Deputy Chiefs, one
for Administration and another for Operations and one Chief of Directorial Staff,
all of whom are appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the
DILG Secretary from among the qualified officers with the rank of at least Senior
Superintendent. 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. Officers who have
retired or are within six months from their compulsory retirement age are not
qualified to be appointed as Jail Director or designated as BJMP Chief.
National Headquarters
The National Headquarters is the Command and Staff office of the BJMP,
and is composed of the Command Group, Directorates and Management Support
staff (Section 1-3, Rule III, BJMP Manual) namely:
A. Command Group
1. Chief, BJMP – Acts as adviser to the Secretary of DILG relating to formulation
and implementation of policies, plans, and programs in the formulation and
control of district, city and municipal jails nationwide; exercises command,
supervision, and control over all personnel of the Jail Bureau.
2. Deputy Chief for Administration – Advice and assists the Chief, BJMP in the
formulation and implementation of the plans, programs, and policies pertaining
to personnel, logistics, and comptrollership; Assists the Chief, BJMP in the proper
implementation of the various programs and activities of the different divisions
and regional offices, and in the administration of the jails nationwide; and
assumes the duties of the Chief, BJMP during the latter’s absence.
3. Deputy Chief for Operations – Advises and assists the Chief, BJMP in the
formulation and implementation of the plans, programs, and policies pertaining
to jail operations; assumes the duties of the Chief, BJMP in the absence of the
former and the Deputy Chief for Administration.
4. The Chief of Directorial Staff – Exercises direct supervision over the operations
of Directorates and offices at the National Headquarters.
B. Directorates
1. Directorate for Human Resources and Records Management
2. Directorate for Operations
3. Directorate for Logistics
4. Directorate for Comptrollership
5. Directorate for Program development
6. Directorate for Intelligence, Investigation and Inspectorate
C. Management Support Staff
1. Office of the Legal Service
2. Office of General Service
3. Office of the Accounting Service
4. Office of Finance Service
5. Office of Supply and Accountable Officer
6. Office of Internal Audit Service
7. Office of Chaplaincy Services
8. Office of the Media Affairs and Community Relations Service
9. Office of Information and Communication Technology Service
10. Office of Health Services
11. Office of National Executive Senior Jail Officer

Jail Offices and Operating Units Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

OFFICE OF THE WARDEN – the warden is responsible for direction, coordination
and control of the personnel, inmates and the programs of the institution.
Under the Office of the warden are the following:
1. Intelligence and Investigation Team – collates and submits intelligence
information to the warden on the matters pertaining to jail conditions.
2. Jail Inspectorate Section – inspect the jail facilities, the personnel and
prisoners/detainees and submits reports of deficiencies noted.
3. Public Relations Office – task with the maintenance of good public relations to
obtain the necessary and adequate support of the public.

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT WARDEN – he undertakes the development of a

systematic process of the treatment for this individual inmates and determines
the degree of custody for such individual in his capacity as chairman of the
Classification Board. He is also automatically serve as chair of the Disciplinary
Board.
1. Classification Board – is tasked with the gathering and collating of information
and other data of every prisoner into a case study to determine the work
assignment, type of supervision and degree of custody and restriction under
which an offender must live in jail.
Classification of Inmates – refers to their grouping according to sentence, gender,
age, nationality, health and criminal records among others. Each jail shall
maintain a Classification Board, if facilities and personnel are available, to be
composed of the following:
Chairman – Deputy Warden
Members – Chief, Custodial/Security Office
- Medical Officer/Public Health Officer
- Jail Chaplain
- Inmates Welfare and Development Officer

Duties and Functions of the Classification Board

The Classification Board is tasked to conduct background investigation of
inmates to determine the work assignment, type of supervision, and degree
of custody and restrictions under which an inmate must live in jail. The
investigation shall focus on:
1. Facts and data of the present case;
2. Earlier criminal history and if he/she is recidivist or habitual delinquent,
the facts about his/her attitudes and behavior while confined in other
institutions;
3. Biography or life history;
4. Medical history;
5. Vocational, recreation, educational and religious background/interest;
and
6. Psychological characteristics as evaluated by the psychiatrist and
psychologist.
 The inmate is required to appear before the Classification Board for a
frank discussion concerning his/her strengths and weaknesses. After this,
he/she is informed of the program planned for him/her. He/she is asked if
he/she is willing to undergo this program for his/her own good. If
necessary, the Board will see to it that the program planned for the inmate
is followed.
2. Disciplinary Board – hearing disciplinary cases involving violation of jail rules
and regulations by the inmates.
- A Disciplinary Board shall be organized and maintained by jails for the purpose
of hearing disciplinary cases involving any inmate who violates jail rules and
regulations. The Board is tasked to investigate the facts of an alleged misconduct
referred to it. It shall hold sessions as often as necessary in a room which may be
provided for the purpose. All cases referred to it shall be heard and decided
within 48 hours from the date of receipt of the case. It shall be composed of the
following:
Chairman – Deputy Warden
Members – Chief, Custodial/Security Office
- Medical Officer/Public Health Officer
- Jail Chaplain
- Inmates Welfare and Development Officer
- Inmate’s Representative

ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP
1. Personnel Management Branch – task for the assignment of personnel,
procedures of selection, preparation of personnel reports and individual record
files.
2. Records and Statistics Branch – keep and maintain booking sheets and arrest
reports, keep an orderly record of fingerprints and photographs, prepare and
presents statistical data inmates.
3. Property and Supply Branch – take charge of the safekeeping of equipments
and supplies and materials needed for the operation of the jail.
4. Budget and Finance – take charge of all financial matter such as budgeting,
financing, accounting and auditing.
5. Mess Services Branch – prepare the daily menu, prepare and cook the food and
serve it to the inmates.
6. General Services Branch – maintain and repair of jail facilities and equipments.
It is also task with cleanliness, beautification of the jail compound.
7. Mittimus Computing Branch – receive court decisions and compute the date of
the full completion of the service sentence of inmates.

SECURITY GROUP – 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/Subpoena Platoon
a. Escort Section - produce inmates under proper guard, to Prosecutor’s authority
upon proper summons. Transfer the prisoner to penal institution on proper order
of the court or authority.
b. Subpoena Section – receives, distributes, and or serve subpoenas, notices,
orders summons and other court processes directed to inmates confined in jail.
2. Security Platoon – responsible for proper system of security and control
procedures of inmates in confinement, and the searching of all personnel and
visitors entering the jail compound to check and prevent the smuggling of
contraband.
3. Custodian Section – Conduct regular custodial functions over inmates.
4. Admitting and Releasing Section – It is tasked with receiving of person
committed to the jail and the proper release of prisoners who have served prison
sentence or are released on orders of competent courts or authority.
REHABILITATION GROUP – provides services and assistance to prisoners and their
families to enable them to solve their individual needs and problems arising from
the prisoner’s confinement. Correction and Rehabilitation is the primary interest
of this group.
1. Medical and Health Services – provides medical and physical examination of
inmates upon confinement, treatment of sick inmates. Also conduct psychiatric
and psychological examination.
2. Work and Education Therapy Services – in-charge of the job and educational
programs 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 care of the social casework
study of the individual prisoners by making interviews, home visits, and referral to
community resources, free legal services, and liaison works for 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 Counseling Services – responsible for the individual and group
counseling activities to help the lead a wholesome constructive life.

Authorized Disciplinary Punishment for Inmates

The Board is authorized to impose any of the following disciplinary punishments:
1. Reprimand
2. Temporary or permanent cancellation of some or all recreational privileges;
3. Cancellation of visiting privileges;
4. Extra fatigue duty for sentenced inmates;
5. Close confinement in a cell, provided that this punishment shall be imposed
only in the case of incorrigible inmate, when other disciplinary measures had
been proven ineffective; and
6. Transfer to another BJMP jail in the area, in coordination with the court.
The Disciplinary Board may recommend to the Warden partial or full forfeiture of
GCTA to be earned for the month and subsequent months depending upon the
gravity of the offense. (Sec.6)

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF INMATES

(Under BJMP)
Section 1, Rule V, Chapter 1, Book II, of the BJMP Manual (Revised 2007)
provides the following rights of inmates:
1. The right to be treated as a human, and not to be subjected to corporal
punishment;
2. The right to be informed of the regulations governing the detention center;
3. The right to adequate food, space and ventilation, rest and recreation;
4. The right to avail of medical, dental, and other health services;
5. The right to be visited by his/her counsel anytime;
6. The right to practice his/her religious beliefs and moral precepts;
7. The right to vote unless disqualified by law;
8. The right to separate detention facilities or cells particularly for women
inmates; and
9. If a foreigner, the right to communicate with his/her embassy or consulate.

Section 2 gives this list of privileges of inmates:

1. To wear their own clothes while in confinement;
2. To write letters, subject to reasonable censorship, provided that expenses for
such correspondence shall be borne by them.
3. To receive visitors during visiting hours. However, visiting privileges may be
denied in accordance with the rules and whenever public safety so requires;
4. To receive books, letters, magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals that
the jail authorities may allow;
5. To be treated by their own doctor and dentist at their own expense upon
proper request from and approval by appropriate authority;
6. To be treated in a government or private hospital, provided it is deemed
necessary and allowed by the rules;
7. To request free legal aid, if available;
8. To sport hair in their customary style, provided it is decent and allowed by the
jail rules;
9. To receive fruits and prepared food, subject to inspection and approval by jail
officials;
10. To read books and other reading materials available in the library, if any;
11. To maintain cleanliness in their cells and brigades or jail premises and perform
other work as may be necessary for hygienic and sanitary purposes; and
12. To be entitled to GCTA as provided by law.

Under the BuCor

Section 1, Chapter 1, Part III, of the BuCor Manual provides the following rights of
inmates:
1. To receive compensation for labor he performs;
2. To be credited with time allowances for good conduct and loyalty;
3. To send and receive mail matter;
4. To practice his religion or observe his faith;
5. To receive authorized visitors;
6. To ventilate his grievances through proper channels; and
7. To receive death benefits and pecuniary aid for injuries;

Section 2 gives this list of privileges of inmates:

1. Attend or participate in any entertainment or athletic activity within the prison
reservation;
2. Read books and other reading materials in the library;
3. Smoke cigar and cigarettes, except in prohibited places;
4. Participate in civic, religious and other activities authorized by prison
authorities; and
5. Receives gifts and prepared food from visitors subject to inspection.

ORGANIZATION AND KEY POSITIONS OF THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS

a. The BuCor shall be headed by a Director who shall be assisted by three (3)
Deputy Directors: one (1) for administration, one (1) for security and operations
and one (1) for reformation, all whom shall be appointed by the President upon
the recommendation of the Secretary of the DOJ: Provided, that the Director and
the Deputy Directors of the BuCor shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed six (6)
years from the date of appointment: Provided, further, That in times of war or
other national emergency declared by Congress, the President may extend such
tour of duty.
b. The Head of the BuCor, with the rank of Undersecretary, shall have the position
and title of Director General of Corrections. The second officers in command of
the BuCor, the rank of Assistant Secretary, shall have the position and title of
Deputy Directors of Corrections. The third officer in command of the BuCor, with
the rank of Chief Superintendent, shall have the position and title of Corrections
Chief Superintendent. The fourth officer in command of the BuCor, with the rank
of Senior Superintendent, shall have the position and title of Corrections Senior
Superintendent. The fifth officer in command of the BuCor, with the rank of
Superintendent, shall have the position and title of Corrections Superintendent.
Classification of Inmates (Chapter 3, Part II, Book I, BuCor Manual)
1. Classification Board – Every prison shall have a classification board that shall
classify inmates. The board shall be composed of the following:
Chairman – Superintendent
Vice-Chairman – Chief RDC
Members – Medical Officer
- Chief, Education Section

Courts and Institution Authorized To Commit a person to Jail

1. Supreme Court
2. Court of Appeals
3. Regional Trial Court
4. Metropolitan/Municipal Court
5. Municipal Circuit Trial Court
6. Board of Transportation
7. Deportation Board
8. Commission on Election
9. National Prosecution Office
10. Police Authorities
11. All other administrative bodies as may be authorized by law

Basis for Release of an Inmate

1. Upon expiration of his sentence
2. By order of the Court of competent authority
3. After being granted parole, pardon or amnesty
Requirements for Commitment
a. Commitment Order
b. Medical Certificate
c. Complaint/Information
d. Police Booking Sheet

Commitment – This means the entrusting for confinement of an offender to a jail

by competent court or authority for investigation, trial or service of sentence.

Art. 29 of the RPC as further amended by RA No. 10592

Period of Preventive Imprisonment deducted from term of Imprisonment
- Offenders or accused who have undergone preventive imprisonment
shall be credited in the service of their sentence consisting of
deprivation of liberty, with the FULL TIME during which they have
undergone preventive imprisonment if the detention prisoners
agrees voluntarily in writing after being informed of the effects
thereof and with the assistance of counsel to abide by the same
disciplinary rules imposed upon convicted prisoners.
Persons not qualified under the law:
1. When they are recidivists, or have convicted previously twice or more times of
any crime; and
2. When upon being summoned for the execution of their sentence they have
failed to surrender voluntarily.

Natural Calamities Man-made Calamities/Disturbances

a. Fire a. Riot
b. Flood b. Jailbreak
c. Earthquake c. Noise Barrage
d. Tsunami d. Hostage-taking
e. Landslide e. Epidemics
f. Typhoon f. Food poisoning
g. Volcanic Eruption g. Rescue
h. Others h. Bombing
i. Power Failure
j. Water Shortage
k. Others

References:
1.Book in Institutional Correction (The Institution-based Correction in the
Philippines by: Brian B. Guerero and Ronith L. Molato
2. Handbook on Institutional Corrections by: Linnet Dolinen-Gahar
3. Institutional Correction with Addendum on Act Number 4103
Instructional Manual for Criminology Students by: Joner C. Villaruz, Carlito R.
Panganoron Jr. and William A. Revisa

Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)