Modern Penology

Chapter 3 Programs of the BUCOR and BJMP towards rehabilitation and development

In line with the rehabilitation programs of BUCOR the following were initiated:

1. Work and Livelihood Program - 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.
Different prison and penal farms provide institutional work programs for inmates. At the
Davao Penal Colony, inmates work on the banana plantations of Tagum Development Company
(TADECO) which has a joint venture agreement with the Bureau. Similarly, the vast tracts of land
at the Iwahig Penal Colony are developed and tilled by inmates to produce various agricultural
products, thereby generating income for the Bureau. The Sablayan Prison and Penal farm also
provides agriculture and aquaculture programs for inmates.
Along this end, the Bureau under the present Director has encouraged agricultural and
industrial production by providing farming implements, tractors, fertilizers and other inputs in
order to sustain this area of rehabilitation for inmates.

2. Health Care Services - Upon his initial commitment to the Directorate for Reception and
Diagnostic (DRD), 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.
      The principal medical care of inmates is provided through a 500-bed capacity hospital at the
New Bilibid Prisons and at six (6) other mini-hospitals or clinics in the six (6) other prison and
penal farms. All correctional facilities have a full and competent staff of medical practitioners in
charge of clinics, infirmaries and hospitals. These centers are capable of minor surgical
operations, laboratory examinations, radiology, psychiatric, rehabilitation and dental treatment.
      Other government and private hospitals are also tapped in the implementation of standards
pertaining to nutrition and protective health services for the prison community. Medical services
also include a wide range of counseling techniques and therapy programs which address the
psychological problems of inmates, including suicidal thoughts and feelings of rejection which
may lead to disruption of peace and order within the prison compounds. When an inmate’s
ailment is beyond the competence of the in-house medical doctors, the inmate is referred to a
government hospital in accordance with prison rules and under proper security escorts.

3. 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.
    In most correctional facilities, vocational programs are incorporated into job assignments and
serve as on-the-job training. The goal is to provide inmates with skills that will improve their
eligibility for jobs upon release. Most prison vocational training is geared toward traditional
blue-collar employment in areas such as electronics, auto mechanics and handicrafts. At the
Reception and Diagnostic Center, a basic computer literacy course with typing as a support
course is available for inmates who have finished at least high school level.
    Vocational training and social education focus on job readiness. The concern in these areas is
life skills. If inmates are to reenter society and abstain from criminal activity, they must be
employable and have the basic tools necessary to function as responsible citizens.
    The National Penitentiary has a college degree program and a tertiary degree correspondence
course, in addition to the regular secondary and compulsory basic literacy classes. Prisoners are
strongly encouraged by the BuCor authorities to enroll while serving their sentence and to
advance their academic skills.

4. Sports and Recreation - 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.
      All prison and penal farms have adequate recreational facilities for inmates, both for outdoor
and indoor sports. Mini-bodybuilding gyms are available in most prison facilities, including the
Muntinlupa Juvenile Training Center and the Therapeutic Community Center for inmates with
drug cases.
      For music lovers and musically-inclined inmates, numerous "videoke" centers are available.
Musical instruments are available for practice or for use in variety shows.

5. Moral and Spiritual Program -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. The prison chaplain sets the stage for every regular
spiritual activity. He is an officer of the institution who oversees the operation of the prison
chapel. He is not only the spiritual leader but also a counselor and adviser. Prisoners may be
baptized or given other sacraments. Religious Volunteer Officers, or RVOs belonging to different
church groups provide weekly religious activities ranging from bible studies, devotions, prayer
meetings or praise and worship. With a predominantly Roman Catholic prison population, a
Catholic Mass is a regular feature in spiritual activities of the prison communities. Restrictions,
however, are imposed if, in the course of religious activities, security is compromised or a
program is too expensive.
 6. 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.

      Patterned after Daytop TC, New York which is the base of the Therapeutic Community
movement in the world, the BuCor TC program was adopted as part of the Bureau's holistic
approach towards inmate rehabilitation. It is implemented primarily but not limited to drug
dependents.

      The TC approach has been continuously proven worldwide as an effective treatment and
rehabilitation modality among drug dependents, and have been noted to be effective in many
prisons. By immersing a drug offender in the TC environment, he learns why he had developed
his destructive habits, which led him to substance abuse. The program modifies negative
behavior and or attitudes while restoring self confidence, and prepares inmates for their re-
integration into their families and friends as productive members of the community. This
behavioral modification program gradually re-shapes or re-structures the inmate within a
family-like environment, wherein every member acts as his brother’s keeper.

INMATES WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT FOR BJMP

Is a directorate under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology with the following
concept, principles and services;

Section 1. CONCEPT – An Inmate Welfare and Development Programs (IWWDP) is a set of

physical, psychological, intellectual, vocational, and spiritual activities or interventions that
facilitate inmates’ wellbeing and enhancement in accordance with the accepted social norms and
ethical standards.

Section 2. GUIDING PRINCIPLE – The following guiding principles shall be observed:

a. The IWD should be in accordance with the accepted social norms and ethical standard as
stipulated in the “UN Standards in the Treatment of Inmates”, state laws, and code of ethics;

b. The IWD is responsive and dynamic;

c. Treatment approach is holistic in nature

d. Treatment should be rehabilitative, not punitive;

e. All inmates have equal opportunities to avail of the program regardless of age, race,
gender, belief, etc.;
f. IWDP are built on mutual trust and confidence;

g. Constructive activities are better than enforced idleness;

h. The community is a partner in the developmental processes of inmates;

i. Human rights of inmates shall be upheld at all times;

j. IWD program is supportive to the safekeeping of inmates;

k. The inherent worth, dignity, health and safety of inmates must be respected at all times;

l. Every inmate is unique and complex being with different developmental need that
require an individual approach.

m. Inmates must be treated humanely, they do not become less of person because of the
condition they are in;

n. Every inmate has the capacity for change, growth, and development;

o. The IWD officer is a professional role model;

p. The IWD Officer is a change agent; and

q. The security of personnel shall not be compromised.

Section 3. IWD SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES – The following are the IWD services and
activities:

a. Provision for Basic Need – Subsistence such as food, clothing, hygienic supplies, etc.;

b. Health Services / Activities – Maintenance of physical and mental wellbeing;

c. Livelihood / Activities – Development of work values, individual

d. Education Services / Activities – Literacy development;

e. Sports & Recreation Services / Activities – Physical fitness, opportunity for socialization,
enhancement of creativity and uniqueness, toning down or minimizing stress;

f. Visitation Services / Activities – Promotes moral and social support to the inmates;

g. Paralegal Services / Activities – Speedy Disposition of cases;

h. Religious Services / Activities – Upliftment of moral and spiritual values

Section 4. Adoption of Therapeutic Community and Modality – The BJMP shall adapt the
Therapeutic Community Modality program as a model in the implementation of IWDP.