Module 11:

CLASSIFICATION BOARD AND DISCIPLINARY BOARD

Learning Outcomes:
1. To obtain clear description of social history
2. Solving immediate problems involving family problems or other
personal relationship.
3. Assist inmates towards acceptable solutions.
4. Support inmates, who are nearly release by giving them guidance or
information.
5. Professional assistance to offenders on probation or parole.

Teaching-Learning Activity/Lesson Proper:

CLASSIFICATION BOARD

a. COMPOSITION. Each jail shall maintain a Classification Board, if facilities

and personnel are available, to be composed of the following:
Chairman – Assistant
Warden; Member –
Chief, Security Officer
Member – Medical Officer/Public
Health Officer Member – Jail
Chaplain
Member – Social Worker/Rehabilitation Officer

b. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS. The classification Board shall be tasked with gathering
and collating information and other data of every inmate into a case study to
determine the work assignment, the type of supervision and degree of custody and
restrictions under which an inmate must live in jail.
c. THE CASE STUDY SHALL CONSIST OF FF. RELEVANT INFORMATION:
1) The facts and data of the present case, explaining how he was involved in the
case;
2) The inmate’s earlier criminal history and if he is a recidivist or habitual
delinquent, the facts about his attitudes and behavior while confined in
other institutions;
3) His biography, parentage or life history;
4) Physical condition;
5) Vocational interest;
6) Educational and religious background and interest;
7) Recreational interest;
8) Psychological characteristics as evaluated by the psychiatrist and psychologist;
9) Observed behavior while under diagnostic examination; and
10) Initial reaction to group counseling.

d. The inmate is required to appear before the Classification Board for a rank
 discussion concerning his assets and weaknesses. After which, he is informed of
the program planned for him. He is asked for his willingness and cooperation to
undergo this program for his own good.

DISCIPLINARY BOARD
Organized and maintained by jails for the purpose of hearing
disciplinary cases involving any inmate who violates jail rules and
regulations.
a. COMPOSITION. – The Disciplinary Board shall be composed of the
following: Chairman – Assistant Warden
Member – Chief
Security Officer
Member – Public
Health Officer
Member – Jail
Member –Chaplain
Member – Social Worker/or a Rehabilitation Officer
If the above composition is not feasible because of personal
limitations, the Warden shall perform the functions of the Board as a
Summary Hearing Officer.
b. DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS. – The Board is tasked to investigate the facts of the alleged
misconduct referred to it by the Warden. It shall hold session as often as are
necessary in appropriate room for the purpose. All cases referred to it shall be heard
and decided within forty-eight (48) hours from date of receipt of the case.
c. AUTHORIZED DISCIPLINARY PUNISHMENT IMPOSABLE TO INMATES. – The Board is
authorized to impose any of the following disciplinary punishments:

1) Reprimand;
2) Temporary or permanent cancellation of recreational privileges;
3) Cancellation of visiting privileges;
4) Extra-fatigue duty; and
5) Close confinement in a cell which shall not exceed seven (7) days in any
calendar month provided that this punishment shall be imposed only in the
case of an incorrigible prisoner, when other disciplinary measures have been
proven effective.

In addition to the above-mentioned punishments, the Board may

recommend to the Warden a partial or full forfeiture of good conduct time
allowance to be earned for that month and subsequent months
depending upon gravity of the offense.

d. LIMITATIONS.
1) No female inmates shall be subjected to any disciplinary punishment which
might affect her unborn or nursing child.
2) No infirmed or handicapped inmate shall be meted out punishment which
might affect his health or physical well-being.
 3) Corporal punishment, confinement in dark ill-ventilated cells and any form of
cruel, unusual, inhuman or degrading punishment are absolutely prohibited.
4) Whenever the penalty of extra-fatigue duty or solitary confinement imposed
may affect the health of the inmate, he shall be made to undergo medical
examination to determine his physical fitness to serve his punishment.
5) The Jail Physician shall visit the prisoners undergoing punishment when
necessary and shall advise the Warden to terminate the punishment on grounds
of physical or mental health.

Instruments of restraints such as handcuffs, leg iron and strait jackets are
not to be applied as a form of punishment. They shall only be used as a precaution
against escape and on medical ground to prevent an inmate from injuring himself or
others.

Breaches of
discipline shall be
handled without
anger or emotion and
decisions must be
executed firmly and
justly

e. PROCEDURES IN THE HEARING OF DISCIPLINARY CASES.

1) The aggrieved inmate shall inform any member of the custodial force of the
violation; the latter in turn, officially report the matter to the Desk Officer. If one
of the jail employees knows the violation committed by the inmate, a brief
description of the circumstances surrounding or leading to the reported
violation and all facts relative to the case shall be made;
2) The Desk Officer shall inform the Warden and shall immediately cause
the investigation. He shall submit to the Warden his report together
with his recommendations;
3) The Warden shall evaluate the report and if he believes that there is no
sufficient evidence to support the alleged violation, he shall dismiss the case. If
he believes there exists sufficient evidence, he shall decide the cases and impose
the necessary penalty in case of minor violations. If the case is less grave or
grave, he shall endorse it to the Board for hearing or decide it himself as a
Summary Disciplinary Officer if there is no Disciplinary Board;
4) The inmate shall be confronted of the reported violation and asked how he
pleads to the charge. If he admits the violation or pleads guilty, the Board shall
impose the corresponding punishment;
5) If the inmate denies the charge, the hearing shall commence with the
presentation of evidence and other witnesses by the Desk Officer. The inmate
shall then be given the opportunity to defend himself by his testimony and those
of his witnesses, if an, and to present other evidence to prove his innocence;
6) After the hearing, the Board shall decide the case on the merits;
7) Whether the inmate is found guilty or not, he should be advised to obey the
rules and regulation strictly and reminded that good behavior is indispensable for his early
 release and/or the granting of privileges; and
8) Decisions of the Board/Summary Disciplinary Officer are subject to review and
approval by the Warden and/pr higher authority. The inmates may request a review of
the findings of the Board/Summary Disciplinary Officer and the propriety of the penalty
to the Central Office, BJMP, whose decision be final.

REFERENCES:

https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/45/8/1047/344842

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/2016/05/23/revised-irr-of-republic-act-no-10575/

https://www.bjmp.gov.ph/files/BJMP-OpnsManual2015.pdf

https://www.padisciplinaryboard.org/Storage/media/pdfs/20181210/153150-boardrules2018-12-
10.pdf