Prepared by: Ma. Victoria S.

Linag

The prison and correctional system in the Philippines as the repository of the criminal justice provides for the safekeeping and rehabilitation of prisoners and detainees.

The Philippine Penal System consist of seven (7) national prisons under the Bureau of Corrections of the Department of Justice located in: - Muntinlupa (National Bilibid Prison) - Mandaluyong (Correctional Institute for Women) - Palawan (Iwahig) - Zamboanga (San Ramon Penal Farm) - Occidental Mindoro (the Sablayan Penal Colony) - Leyte (Leyte Regional Prison)

 Provincial jails
under the administration and supervision of the

provincial governments and municipalities under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

 Regional rehabilitation centers Youthful offenders

Administered by DSWD

Board of Pardons and Parole Parole and Probation

Both under DOJ which recommends the pardon or

parole of prisoners

The General State of Philippine Jails

The Philippine Government established its own

national standard in reviewing its correctional system for prisoners/detainees administered by the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) of the Department of Interior and Local Government.

 The correctional system consists of: rehabilitation organized care Treatment program aimed at the promotion of the

dignity of the confined persons in particular and the correctional community in general

Commission on Human Rights

most jails were found not fit for human confinement 50% -

of the jails needed a huge amount of reconditioning and restoration. prisons, jails and detention centers under sub-human conditions. most prisons and jails are overcrowded. lack of medicines, poorly ventilated cells, lack of habitable living space inadequate provision of basic necessities

COMMON PROBLEMS
insufficiency or lack of food provision due to the delay

in release of food allotment and inadequate or unsanitary food preparation. the prisoners/detainees shelter/living space old dilapidated and congested buildings no longer suited for human existence

COMMON PROBLEMS
defective comfort rooms resulting to unsanitary

conditions lack of sleeping paraphernalia undersized cells with poor ventilation defective water system and even lack of potable water poor lightning or no lighting facilities at all absence of sufficient medical supplies and laboratory facilities

COMMON PROBLEMS
the abuse of authority over the prisoners by prison

guards, extortion and robbery, sexual harassment of women detainees, involvement in illegal entry of contrabands, deadly weapons and drug trafficking food pilferage at prison kitchens inadequate facilities for the separation of minors from adult prisoners

Violations against inmates

denial of the right to counsel and to speedy trial
illegal/arbitrary arrest/detention torture maltreatment/physical injuries sexual harassment/abuse against chastity deprivation of right to basic services

Rehabilitation System
Educational Services elementary, high school and college including

vocational courses. offered by the prison school system in collaboration with accredited colleges and universities
Livelihood training programs

Religious beliefs or practices

RIGHTS OF PRISONERS
shall be treated with humanity and with respect ;
shall be segregated from convicted persons , save in

exceptional circumstances; shall be subject to separate treatment appropriate to their status as unconvicted persons. Accused juvenile persons shall be separated from adults and brought as speedily as possible for adjudication. (Art. 10, Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)

 The Covenant also provided that the penitentiary

system shall provide treatment of prisoners the essential aim of which shall be their reformation and social rehabilitation. Juvenile offenders shall be segregated from adults and be accorded treatment appropriate to their age and legal status. (Art. 10, Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) The Philippines Constitution provides that: The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law. (Art. III, Sec. 19 [2]).

Rights of Prisoners and Detainees

the right to be free from personal and physical abuse
the right to have access on medical and health

services, rehabilitation programs the right to be visited the right to free legal services the right to air grievances and complaints through proper authorities; and the right to exercise their religious beliefs.

Rationale of Penitentiary Systems

Not only to punish convicted persons but also to

protect and promote their human rights. Essential aim shall be the treatment of prisoners; their reformation and social rehabilitation. Prisoners are human beings who are not different from neighbors, relatives and friends. The only difference is that their freedom of movement is restricted as they are confined in a specific area or imprisoned within a building or compound

 Within the prison community, they are entitled to the

same basic needs and rights as citizens in free communities, except that the exercise of their rights beyond the prison compounds may be limited or controlled for security reasons. Prisoners can be rehabilitated, reformed and properly trained/skilled as productive citizens upon their release and rejoining society. While under the custody of the law, they must be treated humanely. To do otherwise will destroy the rehabilitative/reformatory institution. The system should aim to rehabilitate prisoners to enhance their return to society as law-abiding citizens.

Thank you!