CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION

I. Basic Definition of Terms:

PENOLOGY defined:
• The study of punishment for crime or of criminal offenders. It includes the study of control
and prevention of crime through punishment of criminal offenders.
• The term is derived from the Latin word "POENA" which means pain or suffering
• Penology is otherwise known as Penal Science. It is actually a division of criminology that
deals with prison management and the treatment of offenders and concerned itself with
the philosophy and practice of society in its effort to repress criminal activities.
• Penology has stood in the past and, for the most part, still stands for the policy of inflicting
punishment on the offenders as a consequence of his wrongdoing.

Penal Management:
• Refers to the manner or practice of managing or controlling places of confinement as in
jails or prisons.

CORRECTION defined:
• A branch of the Criminal Justice System concerned with the custody, supervision and
rehabilitation of criminal offenders.
• It is that field of criminal justice administration which utilizes the body of knowledge and
practices of the government and the society in general involving the processes of handling
individuals who have been convicted of offenses for purposes of crime prevention and
control.
• It is the study of jail/prison management and administration as well as the rehabilitation
and reformation of criminals.
• It is a generic term that includes all government agencies, facilities, programs,
procedures, personnel, and techniques concerned with the investigation, intake, custody,
confinement, supervision, or treatment of alleged offenders.

Correction as a Process:
• Refers to the reorientation of the criminal offender to prevent him or her from repeating
his deviant or delinquent actions without the necessity of taking punitive actions but
rather the introduction of individual measures of reformation.

Correctional Administration:
• The study and practice of a systematic management of jails or prisons and other
institutions concerned with the custody, treatment, and rehabilitation of criminal offenders.

Il. Correction and the Criminal Justice System

The Criminal Justice System is the machinery of any government in the control and
prevention of crimes and criminality. It is composed of the pillars of justice such as: the Law
Enforcement Pillar (Police), the Prosecution Pilar, the Court Pillar, the Correction Pillar, and
the Community Pillar.
 Correction as one of the pillars of Criminal Justice System is considered as the
weakest pillar. This is because of its failure to deter individuals in committing crimes as well
as the reformation of inmates. This is evident in the increasing number of inmates in jails or
prisons. Hence, the need of prison management is necessary to rehabilitate inmates and
transform them to become law-abiding citizens after their release.

Correction is the fourth pillar of the criminal justice system. This pillar takes over once
the accused, after having been found guilty, is meted out the penalty for the crime he
committed. He can apply for probation, or he could be turned over to a non-institutional
or institutional agency or facility for custodial treatment and rehabilitation. The offender
could avail of the benefits of parole or executive clemency once he has served the
minimum period of his sentence. When the penalty is imprisonment, the sentence is carried
out either in the municipal, provincial or national penitentiary depending on the length of
the sentence meted out.

IIl. Historical Perspective on Corrections

Important Dates and Events in the History of Corrections:

• 13th Century - Securing Sanctuary
In the 13th C, a criminal could avoid punishment by claiming refugee in a church for a
period of 40 days at the end of which time he has compelled to leave the realm by a road
or path assigned to him.
• 1468(England) - Torture as a form of punishment became prevalent.
• 16th Century - Transportation of criminals in England was authorized. At the end of the 16th
C, Russia and other European Countries followed this system. It partially relieved
overcrowding of prisons. Transportation was abandoned in 1835.
• 17th C to late 18th C - Death Penalty became prevalent as a form of punishment.

Reasons why Death Penalty became the usual

Punishment during this period and thereafter:
1. Death of outlaws became a "protection for the English people". It is because the people
during this period did not totally believe yet in the ability to a strong police force to combat
criminals.
2. People lack confidence in the transportation of criminals. Gaols and Galleys became
center of corruption and ineffective instruments of punishment.
3. Doctrine of Crude Intimidation appeared or seemed to be a logical form of threat in
order to deter or prevent the people from violating the law.
4. The assumption was that the Ruling Class is tasked to protect property rights and maintain
public peace and order. The system of maintaining public order had little consideration or
it did not recognize the social and economic condition of the lower working class. The
lawmakers and enforcers used death penalty to cover property loss or damage without
further contemplating the value of life of other people.

GAOLS (Jails) - pretrial detention facilities operated by English Sheriff.

Galleys - long, low, narrow, single decked ships propelled by sails, usually rowed by
criminals. A type of ship used for transportation of criminals in the 16th century.
Hulks - decrepit transport, former warships used to house prisoners in the 18h and 19th
century. These were abandoned warships converted into prisons as means of relieving
congestion of prisoners. They were also called "floating hells".

The Primary Schools of Penology

1. The Classical School - it maintains the “doctrine of psychological hedonism" or "free will”.
That the individual calculates pleasures and pains in advance of action and regulates his
conduct by the result of his calculations.
2. The Neo-classical School - it maintained that while the classical doctrine is correct in
general, it should be modified in certain details. Since children and lunatics cannot
calculate the differences of pleasures from pain, they should not be regarded as criminals;
hence they should be free from punishment.
3. The Positivist/Italian School - the school that denied individual responsibility and reflected
non-punitive reactions to crime and criminality. It adheres that crimes, as any other act, is
a natural phenomenon. Criminals are considered as sick individuals who need to be
treated by treatment programs rather than punitive actions against them.

The Primitive Society

In the beginning of civilization, acts are characterized by behavioral controls
categorized as: forbidden acts, accepted acts, and those acts that are encouraged.

Crimes, violence, rebellious acts and other acts, which are expressly prohibited by
the society, fall as forbidden acts. Accepted acts are those that can be beneficial to the
welfare of the society such as early traditions and practices, folkways, norms, those that are
controlled by social rules, and laws.

Encourage acts are anything approved by the majority which is believed to be

beneficial to the common good. These things include marrying, having children, crop
production, growing food, etc.

Punishment is required when those who intend to violate the rules do not comply with
these practices.

The complex society gradually evolved changing the social rules into a more
structured sanctions to prevent the violations of those rules essential to group survival. These
sanctions have been codified into written rules or laws. And the reward for obeying those
laws is simply the ability to function as a respected and productive member of society.

Redress (Compensation) of a wrong act

Retaliation (Personal Vengeance) - the earliest remedy for a wrong act to anyone (in the
primitive society). The concept of personal revenge by the victim's family or tribe against
the family or tribe of the offender, hence "blood feuds" was accepted in the early primitive
societies.
Fines and Punishment - Customs has exerted effort and great force among primitive
societies. The acceptance of vengeance in the form of payment (cattle, food, personal
services, etc.) became accepted as dictated by tribal traditions. As tribal leaders, elders
and later kings came into power, they begun to exert their authority on the negotiations.
Wrongdoers could choose to stay away from the proceedings (Trial by ordeal) but if they
refuse to abide by the law imposed, they will be declared to be an outlaw.

Early Codes:

History has shown that there are three main legal systems in the world, which have
been extended to and adopted by all countries aside from those that produced them. In
their chronological order, they are the Roman, the Mohammedan or Arabic and the Anglo-
American Laws. Among the three, it was Roman law that has the most lasting and most
pervading influence. The Roman private law (Which include Criminal Law) especially has
offered the most adequate basic concepts which sharply define, in concise and
inconsistent terminology, mature rules and a complete system, logical and firm, tempered
with a high sense of equity. (Coquia, Principles of Roman Law,1996)

1. Babylonian and Sumerian Codes

a. Code of King Hammurabl (Hammurabic Code) - Babylon, about 1990 BC, credited as
the oldest code prescribing savage punishment, but in fact, Sumerian codes were nearly
one hundred years older.

2. Roman and Greek Codes

b. Justinian Code-6hC A.D., Emperor Justinian of Rome wrote his code of law. An effort to
match a desirable amount of punishment to all possible crimes. However, the law
did not survive due to the fall of the Roman Empire but left a foundation of Western legal
codes.

The Twelve Tables (XII Tabulae), (451-450 BC) - represented the earliest codification of
Roman law incorporated into the Justinian Code. It is the foundation of all public and
private law of the Romans until the time of Justinian. It is also a collection of legal principles
engraved on metal tablets and set up on the forum.

c. Greek Code of Draco - In Greece, the Code of Draco, a harsh code that provides the
same punishment for both citizens and the slaves as it incorporates primitive concepts
(Vengeance, Blood Feuds).
* The Greeks were the first society to allow any citizen to prosecute the offender in the name
of the injured party.

3. The Burgundian Code (500 A.D) - specified punishment according to the social class of
offenders, dividing them into: nobles, middle class and lower class and specifying the value
of the life of each person according to social status.

Early Codes (Philippine Setting)

The Philippines is one of the many countries that cane under the influence of the
Roman Law. History has shown that the Roman Empire reached its greatest extent to most
of continental Europe such as Spain, Portugal, French and all Central Europe.

Eventually, the Spanish Civil Code became effective in the Philippines on December
7,1889, the "Conquistadores" and the "Kodigo Penar" (The Revised Penal Code today, 1930)
was introduced by the Spaniards promulgated by the King of Spain. Basically, these laws
adopted the Roman Law principles (Coquia, Principles of Roman Law, 1996).

Mostly tribal traditions,customs and practices influenced laws during the Pre-Spanish
Philippines. There were also laws that were written which include:
a. The Code of Kalantiao (promulgated in 1433) - the most extensive and severe law that
prescribes harsh punishment.
b. The Maragtas Code (by Datu Sumakwel)
c. Sikatuna Law

Early Prisons:
Mamertine Prison - the only early Roman place of confinement which is built under
the main sewer of Rome in 64 B.C Other places of confinement in the history of confinement
include FORTRESSES, CASTLES, and TOWN GATES that were strongly built purposely against
roving bands of raiders. The most popular workhouse was the BRIDEWELL WORKHOUSE
(1557) in London which was built for the employment and housing of English prisoners.
Wulnut Street Jail - originally constructed as a detention jail in Philadelphia. lt was converted
into a state prison and became the first American Penitentiary.

Early prisons in the Philippines:

During the Pre-Spanish period, prison system in the Philippines was tribal in nature.
Village chieftains administered it. It was historically traced from the earty written laws.

In 1847, the first Bilibid Prison was constructed and became the central place of
confienment for Filipino Prisoners by virtue of the Royal decree of the Spanish crown.

In 1936, the City of Manila exchanges its Muntinlupa property with the Bureau of
Prisons originally intended as a site for boys' training school. Today,the old Bilibid Prison is
now being used as the Manila City Jail, famous as the "May Halique Estate".

IV. THE EMERGENCE OF SECULAR LAW

4th A.D. - Secular Laws were advocated by Christian philosophers who recognizes
the need for justice. Some of the proponents these laws were St. Augustine and St. Thomas
Aquinas.

Three Laws were distinguished:

1. External Law (Lex Extena)
2. Natural Law (Lex Naturalis)
3. Human Law (Lex Humana)

All these laws are intended for the common good,but the Human law only becomes valid
if it does not conflict with the other two laws.

V. PUNISHMENT
Punishment:
•It is the redress that the state takes against an offending member of society that usually
involves pain and suffering.
• It is also the penalty imposed on an offender for a crime or wrongdoing.

Ancient Forms of Punishment:

1.Death Penalty - affected by burning, beheading, hanging breaking at the wheels, pillory
and other forms of medieval executions.
2. Physical Torture - affected by maiming, mutilation, whipping and other inhumane or
barbaric forms of inflicting pain.
3. Social Degradation - putting the offender into shame or humiliation.
4. Banishment or Exile - the sending or putting away of an offender which was carried out
either by prohibition against coming into a specified territory such as an island to were
the offender has been removed.
5. Other similar forms of punishment like transportation and slavery.

Early Forms of Prison Discipline:

1. Hard Labor - productive works.
2. Deprivation - deprivation of everything except the bare essentials of existence
3. Monotony - giving the same food that is 'off diet or requiring the prisoners to perform drab
or boring daily routine.
4. Uniformity - "we treat the prisoners alike". "the fault of one is the fault of all".
5. Mass Movement - mass living in cell blocks, mass eating, mass recreation, mass bathing.
6. Degradation - uttering insulting words or languages on the part of prison staff to the
prisoners to degrade or break the confidence of prisoners.
7. Corporal Punishment - imposing brutal punishment or employing physical force to
intimidate a delinquent inmate.
8. Isolation or Solitary Confinement - non-communication, limited news, "the lone wolf".

Contemporary Forms of Punishment:

1. Imprisonment - putting the offender in prison for the purpose of protecting the public
against criminal activities and at the same time rehabilitating the prisoners by requiring
them to undergo institutional treatment programs.
2. Parole - a conditional release of prisoners after serving part of his/her sentence in prison
for the purpose of gradually re-introducing him/her to freelife under the guidance and
supervision of a parole officer.
3. Probation - a disposition whereby a defendant after conviction of an offense, the penalty
of which does not exceed six years imprisonment, is released subject to the conditions
imposed by the releasing court and under the supervision of a probation officer.
4. Fine - an amount given as a compensation for a criminal act.
5. Destierro - the penalty of banishing a person from the place where he committed a
crime, prohibiting him to get near or enter the 25-kilometer perimeter.

PURPOSES/JUSTIFICATIONS OF PUNISHMENT
1. Retribution - the punishment should be provided by the state whose sanction is violated,
to afford the society or the individual the opportunity of imposing upon the offender
suitable punishment as might be enforced. Offenders should be punished because they
deserve it.
2. Expiation or Atonement - it is punishment in the form of group vengeance where the
purpose is to appease the offended public or group.
3. Deterrence - punishment gives lesson to the offender by showing to others what would
happen to them if they violate the law. Punishment is imposed to warn potential offenders
that they cannot afford to do what the offender has done.
4. Incapacitation and Protection - the public will be protected if the offender has being
held in conditions where he cannot harm others especially the public. Punishment is
effected by placing offenders in prison so that society will be ensured from further criminal
depredations of criminals.
5. Reformation or Rehabilitation - it is the establishment of the usefulness and responsibility
of the offender. Society's interest can be better served by helping the prisoner to
become law abiding citizen and productive upon his return to the community by requiring
him to undergo intensive program of rehabilitation in prison.

VI. THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

18th Century is a century of change. It is the period of recognizing human dignity. It is

the movement of reformation, the period of introduction of certain reforms in the
correctional field by certain person, gradually changing the old positive philosophy of
punishment to a more humane treatment of prisoners with innovational programs.

The Pioneers:
William Penn (1614-1718)
• He fought for religious freedom and individual rights.
• He is the first leader to prescribe imprisonment as correctional treatment for major
offenders.
• He is also responsible for the abolition of Death penalty and torture as a form of
punishment.

1. Charles Montesiquieu (Charles Louis Secondat, Baron de la Brede et de Montesiquieu) -

(1689-1755) A French historian and philosopher who analyzed law as an expression of
justice. He believes that harsh punishment would undermine morality and that appealing
to moral sentiments as a better means of preventing crime.
2. VOLTAIRE (Francois Marie Arouet) - (1694- 1778) He was the most versatile of all
philosophers during this period. He believes that fear of shame was a deterrent to crime.
He fought the legality-sanctioned practice of torture.
3. Cesare Bonesa, Marchese de Beccaria (1738-1794) - He wrote an essay entitled "An Essay
on Crimes and Punishment", the most exiting essay on law during this century. It presented
the humanistic goal of law.
4. Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) – 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. - Bentham was the one who
devise the ultimate PANOPTICAN PRISON - a prison that consists of a large circular building
containing multi cells around the periphery. It was never built.
5. John Howard (1726 – 1790) – the sheriff of Bedsfordshire in 1773 who devoted his life and
fortune to prison reform. After his findings on English Prisons, he recommended the following:
single cells for sleeping - segregation of women - segregation of youth - provision of
sanitation facilities - abolition of fee system by which jailers obtained money from prisoners.
The Reformatory Movement:
1. Alexander Mocanochie - He is the Superintendent of the penal colony at Norfolk Island
in Australia (1840) who introduced the “Mark System". A system in which a prisoner is
required to earn a number of marks based on proper department, labor and study in order
to entitle him for a ticket for leave or conditional release which is similar to parole.
2. Manuel Montesimos - The Director of Prisons in Valencia Spain (1835) who divided the
number of prisoners into companies and appointed certain prisoners as petty officers in
charge, which allowed good behavior to prepare the convict for gradual release.
3. Domets of France - established an agricultural colony for delinquent boys in 1839
providing housefathers as in charge of these boys.
4. Sir Evelyn Ruggles Brise - The Director of the English Prison who opened the Borstal
Institution for young offenders. The Borstal Institution is considered as the best reform
institution for young offenders today.
5. Walter Crofton - He is the Director of the Irish Prison in 1854 who introduced the Irish system
that was modified from the Mocanochie's mark system.
6. Zebulon Brockway - 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

* The Elmira Reformatory is considered forerunner of modern penology because it had all
the elements of a modern system.

The Two Rival Prison System in the History of Correction

A. The Auburn Prison System - the prison system called the “Congregate System”. - The
prisoners are confined in their own cells during the night and congregate work in shops
during the day. Complete silence was enforced.
B. The Pennsylvania Prison System - the prisons system called "Solitary System". - Prisoners are
confined in single cells day and night where they lived, they slept, they ate and receive
religious instructions. Complete Silence was also enforced. They are required to read the
Bible.

VII. PENALTY and THE MODERN PERIOD OF CORRECTION

PENALTY is defined as the suffering inflicted by the state against an offending member for
the transgression of law.

Juridical Conditions of Penalty

Punishment must be:
• Productive of suffering - without however affecting the integrity of the human personality.
• Commensurate with the offense - different crimes must be punished with different
penalties (Art. 25, RPC).
• Personal - the guilty one must be the one to be punished, no proxy.
• Legal - the consequence must be in accordance with the law.
• Equal - equal for all persons.
• Certain - no one must escape its effects.
• Correctional - changes the attitude of offenders and become law-abiding citizens.
Duration of Penalties
• Death Penalty - Capital punishment
• Reclusion Perpetua - life imprisonment, a term of 20-40 yrs imprisonment
• Reclusion Temporal - 12 yrs and 1 day to 20 years imprisonment
• Prision Mayor - 6 yrs and 1 day to 12 years
• Prision Correctional - 6 months and 1 day to 6 years
• Arresto Mayor - 1 month and 1 day to 6 months
• Arresto Menor - 1 day to 30 days
• Bond to Keep the Peace - discretionary on the part of the court.

THE PHILIPPINE PRISON SYSTEM

I. Bureau of Corrections
Bureau of Prisons was renamed Bureau of Corrections under Executive Order 292
passed during the Aquino Administration. It states that the head of the Bureau of
Corrections is the Director of Prisons who is appointed by the President of the Philippines
with the confirmation of the Commission of Appointments.
The Bureau of Corrections has general supervision and control of all national prisons
or penitentiaries. It is charged with the safekeeping of all Insular Prisoners confined therein
or committed to the custody of the Bureau.

Coverage of the Bureau of Corrections

National Bilibid Prisons (Muntinlupa, Rizal)
New Bilibid Prisons (Main Building)
Camp Sampaguita
Camp Bukang Liwayway
b. Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC)
c. Correctional Institution for Women (Mandaluyong)
d. The Penal Colonies:
Sablayan Penal Colony and Farm (Occ. Mindoro)
Iwahig Penal Colony and Farm (Palawan)
Davao Penal Colony and Farm (Central Davao)
San Ramon Penal Colony and Farm (Zamboanga)
llo-llo Penal Colony and Farm (llo-llo Province)
- Leyte Regional Prison (Abuyog Leyte)

PRISON Defined:
A penitentiary, an institution for the imprisonment (incarceration) of persons
convicted of major/serious crimes.

A building, usually with cells, or other places established for the purpose of taking
safe custody or confinement of criminals.

A place of confinement for those for those charged with or convicted of offenses
against the laws of the land.

WHO IS A PRISONER?
A prisoner is a person who is under the custody of lawful authority. A person, who by
reason of his criminal sentence or by a decision issued by a court, may be deprived of his
liberty or freedom.
 A prisoner is any person detained/confined in jail or prison for the commission of a
criminal offense or convicted and serving in a penal institution.

A person committed to jail or prison by a competent authority for any of the following
reasons: To serve a sentence after conviction - Trial – Investigation

General Classification of Prisoners

1. Detention Prisoners - those detained for investigation, preliminary hearing, or awaiting
trial. A detainee in a lock up jail. They are prisoners under the jurisdiction of Courts.
2. Sentenced Prisoners - offenders who are 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 penal institutions.
3. Prisoners who are on Safekeeping - includes non-criminal offenders who are detained in
order to protect the community against their harmful behavior. Ex. Mentally deranged
individuals, insane person.

Classification of Sentenced Prisoners:

1. Insular or National Prisoners- Those sentenced to suffer a term of sentence of 3 years and
1 day to life imprisonment. Those sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment cited above
but appealed the judgment and unable to file a bond for their temporary liberty.
2. Provincial Prisoners- Those persons sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment from 6
months and 1 day to 3 years or a fine not more than 1,000 pesos, or both; or those detained
therein waiting for preliminary investigation of their cases cognizable by the RTC.
3. City Prisoners- Those sentenced to suffer a term of imprisonment from 1 day to 3 years or
a fine of not more than 1,000 pesos or both. Those detained therein whose cases are filed
with the MTC. Those detained therein whose cases are cognizable by the RTC and under
Preliminary Investigation.
4. Municipal Prisoners - Those confined in Municipal jails to serve an imprisonment from 1
day to 6 months. Those detained therein whose trials of their cases are pending with the
MTC.

Classification of Prisoners According to Degree of Security:

1. Super Maximum Security Prisoners- A special group of prisoners composed of incorrigible,
intractable, and highly dangerous persons who are the source of constant disturbances
even in a maximum security prison. They wear orange color of uniform.
2. Maximum Security Prisoners- The group of prisoners whose escape could be dangerous
to the public or to the security of the state. It consists of constant troublemakers but not as
dangerous as the super maximum-security prisoners. Their movements are restricted and
they are not allowed to work outside the institution but rather assigned to industrial shops
with in the prison compound. They are confined at the Maximum Security Prison (NBP Main
Building), they wear orange color of uniform. Prisoners includes those sentenced to serve
sentence 20 years or more, or those whose sentenced are under the review of the Supreme
Court, and offenders who are criminally insane having severe personality or emotional
disorders that make them dangerous to fellow offenders or staff members.
3. Medium Security Prisoners- Those who can not be trusted in open conditions and pose
lesser danger than maximum-security prisoners in case they escape. It consists of groups of
prisoners who maybe allowed to work outside the fence or walls of the penal institution
under guards or with escorts. They occupy the Medium Security Prison (Camp Sampaguita)
and they wear blue color of uniforms. Generally, they are employed as agricultural workers.
It includes prisoners whose minimum sentence is less than 20 years and life-sentenced
prisoners who served at least 10 years inside a maximum security prison.
4. Minimum Security Prisoners- A group of prisoners who can be reasonably trusted to serve
sentence under "open conditions". This group includes prisoners who can be trusted to
report to their work assignments without the presence of guards. They occupy the Minimum
Security Prison (Camp Bukang Liwayway) and wear brown color uniforms.

WHAT IS A JAIL?
JAIL – is a place for locking-up of persons who are convicted of minor offenses or felonies
who are to serve a short sentences imposed upon them by a competent court, or for
confinement of persons who are awaiting trial or investigation of their cases.

Types of Jails:
1. Lock-up Jails – is a security facility, common to police stations, used for temporary
confinement of an individual held for investigation.
2. Ordinary Jails – is the type of jail commonly used to detain a convicted criminal offender
to serve sentence less than three years.
3. Workhouses, Jail Farms or Camp - a facility that houses minimum custody offenders who
are serving short sentences or those who are undergoing constructive work programs. It
provides full employment of prisoners, remedial services and constructive leisure time
activities.

Il. Provincial Jails

Provincial Jails in the Philippines are not under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of
Corrections. They are managed and controlled by the provincial government.

lll. Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)

The BJMP exercises supervision and control over all cities and municipal jails
throughout the country. The enactment of Republic Act no. 6975 created the BJMP. It
operates as a line bureau under the Department of the Interior and Local Government
(DILG).

Vision:
The BJMP envision itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded for its humane
safekeeping and development of inmates.

Mission:
The Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane safekeeping and
development of inmates in all district, city and municipal jail.

Objectives of the BJMP:

1. To improve the living conditions of the offenders in accordance with the accepted
standards set by the United Nations.
2. To enhance safekeeping and development of offenders in preparation for their eventual
reintegration into the mainstream of society upon their release.
3. To professionalize jail services.
Principles of the BJMP:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Unless provided otherwise, any person accused of a criminal offense shall be presumed
innocent and his rights, as a free citizen shall be respected, except for such indispensable
restraints during his confinement in the interest of justice and public safety.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. No jail personnel shall be abusive, insulting, indecent languages on the offenders.
9. 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.
10. No penalty shall be imposed upon any offender for violation of rules/regulations unless
in accordance with duly approved disciplinary procedures.
11. Penalties to be imposed shall not be cruel, inhuman, or degrading, and no physical
punishment shall be employed as a correctional measure.
12. Members of the custodial force must understand that offenders need treatment and
counseling, and the primary purpose of confinement is for safekeeping and rehabilitation.
13. When conducting routinary custodial guarding,the ratio of 1:7 or one guard for every 7
offenders shall be observed.
14. 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 prec aution 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:
In line 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.

C. Organization and Key Positions in the BJMP:

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 Jail 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 withthe Rank of Chief Superintendent.

The National Headquarters is the Command and Staff Office of the Jail Bureau is
composed of Command Groups,Directorate and management support staff namely:
1. Command Group
Chief, BJMP
Deputy Chief for Administration
Deputy Chief for Operation
Chief of Directorial Staff
2. Directorates
Directorates for Human Resource & Record Management
Directorate for Operations
Directorate for Logistics
Directorate for comptrollership
Directorate for Programs & Development
Directorate for Intelligence, Investigation & Inspectorate
3. Management Support Staff
Office of the Legal Service
Office of the General Services
Office of the Accounting Service
Office of the Finance Services
Office of the Supply Accountable Office
Office of the Internal Audit Services
Office of the Chaplaincy Service
Office of the Media Affair & Community Relation Service
Office of the Information & Communication Technology Service
Office of the Health Service

Regional Office:
At the Regional Level, each Region shall have a designated Regional Director for Jail
management and Penology.

Provincial Level:
In the Provincial Level, there shall be designated a Jail Provincial Administrator to perform
the same functions as the RDs province wide.

District Office:
In the District Level, 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 Office:
In the City and Municipal level, a city or municipal Warden shall head each jail.
Rank Classification of the BJMP:

RANKPOSITION/TITLE APPOINTING AUTHORITY

Director Chief of the BJMP Secretary of DILG
C/Supt. Deputy C/BJMP Same
Sr.Supt. Asst.Regional Dir. Same
Supt. Asst. Regional Dir. Same
Chief Insp. Warden Under Secretary
Sr.Insp. Warden Same
Inspector Warden Same
SJO4 to Custodial Chief of the BJMP
JO1

Duties and Responsibilities:

WARDEN
• Direction, Coordination, and Control of the Jail
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, and prisoners and submit
reports to the warden.
3. Public Relation Office - Maintain public relation to obtain the necessary and adequate
public support.

ASSISTANCE WARDEN
• The office of the Assistant Warden undertakes the development of a systematic process
of treatment.
• Chairman of the Classification Board and Disciplinary Board.

C. ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS

The administrative groups take charge of all administrative functions of the jail bureau.
Personnel Management Branch
• Assignment of personnel
• Procedures of selection
• Preparation of personnel reports
• Individual record file

Records and Statistics Branch

• Keep and maintain booking sheets and arrest reports
• Keep an orderly record of fingerprints and photographs
• Present/Prepare statistical data of inmates
Property and Supply Branch - Take charge of the safekeeping of equipments and supplies
and materials needed for the operation of the jail.

Budget and Finance Branch - Take charge of all financial matters such as budgeting,
financing, accounting, and auditing.

Mess Service Branch - Take charge of the preparation of the daily menu, prepares and
cook the food and serve it to inmates.

General Service Branch - Responsible for the maintenance and repair of jail facilities and
equipments. It is also task with the cleanliness and beautification of the jail compound.

Mittimus Computing Branch - Tasked to receive court decisions and compute the date of
the full completion of the service of sentence of inmates.

Mittimus - is a warrant issued by a court directing the jail or prison authorities to receive the
convicted offender for the service of sentence imposed therein or for detention.

D. 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.
b) 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
jail compound including gates, guard posts and towers. They are also responsible for the
admitting and releasing
unit.

E. 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
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 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 eligious 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.

THE RECEPTION AND DIAGNOSTIC CENTER (RDC)

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:

The Psychiatrist - responsible in the examination of the prisoner's mental and emotional
make-up.
The Psychologist - responsible to conduct study on the character and behavior of the
prisoners.
The Sociologist - study the social case situation of the individual prisoner.
The Educational Counselor - conducts orientation classes in order to change inmates'
attitude towards education and recommends educational program for the prisoner.
The Vocational Counselor - to test the prisoner's special abilities, interest and skills and
recommends for the vocational course best suited to the prisoner.
The Chaplain - encourage the prisoner to participate in religious activities.
The Medical Officer - conducts physical examination and recommends medical treatment
of prisoners.
Custodial-Correctional Officer - recommends the transfer and type of custody of inmates.

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 PROCEDURES IN PRISON

1. RECEIVING - the new prisoner is received at ths RDC. The new prisoner usually comes from
a provincial or city jail where he was immediately committed upon conviction by the court
and escorted by the escort platoon during his transfer to the National Prison.
2. CHECKING OF COMMITMENT PAPERS - the receiving officer checks the commitment
papers if they are in order. That is, if they contain the signature of the judge or the signature
of the clerk of court, and the seal of the court.
3. IDENTIFICATION - the prisoner's identity is established through the picture and fingerprint
appearing in the commitment order. This is to insure that the person being committed is the
same as the person being named in the commitment order.
4. SEARCHING - this step involves the frisking of the prisoner and searching his personal
things. Weapons and other items classified as contraband are confiscated and deposited
to the property custodian. Other properties are deposited with the trust fund officer under
recording and receipts.
5. BRIEFING AND ORIENTATION - the prisoner will be brief and oriented on the rules and
regulations of the prison before he will be assigned to the RDC or the quarantine unit.

THE TREATMNENT PROGRAMS

A. The Institutionalized Treatment Programs
1. Prison Education - the cornerstone of rehabilitation. It is the process or result of formal
training in school or classrooms intended to shape the mind and attitude of prisoners
towards good living upon their
release.
2. Work Programs - these are programs conducive to change behavior in morale by training
prisoners for a useful occupation. It is purposely to eliminate idleness on the part of prisoners,
which may contribute to “Prison stupor”, and it affects the incidence of Prison riot.
3. Religious Services in Prison- The purpose of this program is to change the attitudes of
inmates
by inculcating religious values or belief.
4. Recreational Programs - The only program that is conducted during free time schedule.
5. Medical and Health Services - Medical and health services includes: Mental and physical
examination - Diagnosis and treatment - Immunization - Sanitary - inspections - Participation
in training
6. Counseling and Casework

B. Community-Based Treatment Programs

Forms of Community-Based Programs
1. PROBATION - It is a disposition whereby a defendant, after conviction of an offense, the
penalty of which does not exceed 6 years of imprisonment, is released subject to the
conditions imposed by the releasing court and under the supervision of a probation officer.