DAVAO PRISON AND

PENAL FARM
 BRIEF HISTORY
• Davao Prison and Penal Farm, formerly the Davao Penal Colony
(DaPeCol), was established on January 21, 1932 in Panabo City, Davao
del Norte, Philippines. It has a land area of 30,000 hectares with a prison
reservation of 8,000 hectares. During World War II, the Davao Penal
Colony was the biggest prison establishment in the country which was
used by the Japanese invading army as their imperial garrison.
• The Davao Penal Colony is the first penal settlement founded and
organized under Filipino administration. The settlement, which originally
had an area of approximately 30,000 hectares in the districts of Panabo
and Tagum, Davao del Norte, was formally established on January 21,
1932 by virtue of Act No. 3732. This Act authorized the Governor-General
to lease or sell the lands, buildings and improvements in San Ramon
Prison and Iwahig Penal Colony. The site offered ideal conditions for
agricultural activities.
• During World War II, the colony was converted into a concentration camp
where more than 1,000 Japanese internees were committed by the
Philippine-American Armed Forces. The Japanese were treated in
accordance with the orders of the American commanding officer.
• On December 20, 1941, the Japanese Imperial Forces attacked Davao and
the colony was among the establishments taken over by the invading
army. The entire settlement was thrown into confusion and a great number
of prisoners escaped. Normal operations were inevitably disturbed.
November 8, 1942, a representative of the Director of Prisons transferred
the colony and its properties to the Japanese authorities. The remaining
colony employees, their families and the inmates evacuated to Iwahig
where they organized the Davao Penal Colony at Inagawan sub colony
(Palawan). The organization of the colony in exile was authorized by
virtue of Memorandum Order No. 60 dated June 28, 1943 and signed by
the Director of Prisons.
 PROGRAMS OFFERED
• WORK AND LIVELIHOOD
• WORK AND LIVELIHOOD
• The Bureau offers a variety of inmate work programs, from agricultural to
industrial. The purpose of the inmate work program is to keep the inmates
busy, and to provide them money for their personal expenses and their
families as well as help them acquire livelihood skills, in order that they
may become productive citizens once they are released and assimilated
back into the mainstream of society.
• EDUCATIONAL AND SKILLS TRAINING
• Education and Skills Training
• Rehabilitation can be facilitated by improving an inmate’s academic
and job skills. Records show that many prisoners are poorly educated. A
majority are elementary school drop outs or have not even finished
primary school. Prison education amounts to remedial schooling designed
to prepare inmates to obtain basic skills in reading, writing and
mathematics.
• HEALTHCARE SERVICES
• Healthcare Services
• Upon his initial commitment to the Reception and Diagnostic Center
(RDC), the inmate’s medical history is recorded and properly documented
by the Medical Specialist. Medical information and mental status
examinations are given to ascertain his overall physical / mental fitness
and whether he would be fit for work. This forms part of the diagnostic
process which will eventually determine the most appropriate
rehabilitation program for the inmate.
• SPORTS AND RECREATION
• Sports and Recreation
• The inmates enjoy sunrise by participating in daily calisthenics. There
are various indoor and outdoor sports activities, programs, tournaments
and leagues all year round, to include basketball, volleyball, billiards,
table tennis and chess. These sports competitions promote camaraderie
among inmates, good sportsmanship and team-building. The latest
addition is the newly constructed indoor sports center/gymnasium at the
Maximum Security Compound which boasts of competition-standard
flooring, sound system, locker rooms and bleachers.
• MORAL AND SPIRITUAL
• Moral and Spiritual Program
• Inmates enjoy freedom of religion. All inmates are free to observe the
rituals of their faith, with orderly conduct supervised by prison authorities.
A religious guidance adviser or chaplain is assigned in every prison and
penal farm.
• THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY
• Therapeutic Community
• The Therapeutic Community (TC) Program represents an effective,
highly structured environment with defined boundaries, both moral and
ethical. The primary goal is to foster personal growth. This is
accomplished by re-shaping an individual’s behavior and attitudes through
the inmates. Community working together to help themselves and each
other, restoring self-confidence, and preparing them for their re-
integration into their families and friends as productive members of the
community.
Any questions??