III.

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 and further amended by RA 9263 of the BFP and BJMP
Professionalization Act of 2004. It operates as a line bureau under the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG).

Correctional Bureau of Jail Management and Bureau of Corrections

Agency: Penology (BJMP) (Formerly Bureau of
Prisons)
Law Provided: Republic Act Reorganization Act of
6975 1905
Effective: January 2, 1991 November 1, 1905
Full supervision and control over all Full supervision and
Function: district, city and municipal jails control over all
National/Insular
Prison Facility
Government Department of the Interior and Local Department of Justice
agency Government
concerned:

Mission of the BJMP: The Jail Bureau shall direct, supervise and control the administration and operation of all
district, city and municipal jails to effect a better system of jail Management nationwide.

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 rehabilitation and reformation 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.
8. 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.
9. No penalty shall be imposed upon any offender for violation of rules/regulations unless in accordance with duly
approved disciplinary procedures.
10. Penalties to be imposed shall not be cruel, inhuman, or degrading, and no physical punishment shall be employed
as a correctional measure.
11. Members of the custodial force must understand that offenders need treatment and counseling and the primary
purpose of confinement is for safekeeping and rehabilitation.
12. When conducting routinary custodial guarding, the ratio of 1:7, or one guard for every 7 offenders shall be
observed.
13. 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 precaution 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. 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 with the Rank of
Chief Superintendent.

The Central Office is the Command and Staff HQ of the Jail Bureau composed of 3 Command Groups, 6
Coordinating Staff Divisions, 6 Special Staff Groups and 6 Personal Staff Groups namely:

1. Command Group
- Chief, BJMP (Director Rank)
- Deputy C/BJMP (Admin and Operation)
- Chief of Directorial Staff
2. Coordinating Staff Groups
- Administrative Division
 - Operations Division
- Logistics Division
- Finance Management Division
- Research Plans and Programs Division
- Inspection and Investigation Division

3. Special Staff Groups

- General Services Unit
- Health Services Unit
- Chaplain Services Unit
- Community Services Unit
- Finance Services Unit
- Hearing Office
4. Personal Staff Groups
- Aide-de-Camp
- Intelligence Office
- Public Information Office
- Legal Office
- Adjudication Office
- Internal Audit

Regional Office:

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

Provincial Level:

In the Provincial Level, there shall be designated a Provincial Jail Administrator to perform the same functions as
the ARDs 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:

RANK POSITION/TITLE APPOINTING AUTHORITY

Director Chief of the BJMP President

C/ Supt. Deputy C/BJMP President
Sr. Supt. Asst. Regional Dir. DILG Secretary
Supt. Asst. Regional Dir. C, BJMP
Chief Insp. Warden C, BJMP
Sn. Insp. Warden C, BJMP
Inspector Warden C, BJMP
 SJO 4 to Jail Guards Regional Director
JO1

Duties and Responsibilities:

A. 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, prisoners and submit reports to the warden.
3. Public Relation Office
- Maintain public relation to obtain the necessary and adequate public support.

B. ASSISTANT 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.

1. Personnel Management Branch

- Assignment of personnel
- Procedures of selection
- Preparation of personnel reports
- Individual record file
2. 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
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 Branch
- Take charge of all financial matters such as budgeting, financing, accounting, and auditing.
5. Mess Service Branch
- Take charge of the preparation of the daily menu, prepares and cook the food and serve it to inmates.
6. 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.
7. 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 religious 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.

DIRECTORATE FOR RECEPTION AND DIAGNOSTICS (FR. RDC) RA 10575

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:

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