Institutional Correction

Two System Approaches to Correction

•As 4th pillars of Criminal Justice System the Philippine
Correction Pillar at present has two system based
approaches, the institution based and the non institution
based, they are being run by three (3) departments of the
executive branch of government.

•The Department of Justice (DOJ) takes care of the national

prisoner, the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) takes care of municipal city and provincial prisoner,
and the Department of Social Welfare & Development
(DSWD) which take care of youth offenders.
• The Bureau of Correction (BUCOR) the board Pardon and
Parole (BPP) and the Parole and Probation Administration
(PPA) are under the Department of Justice.

• The Board of Pardons & Parole (BPP) recommended to

the President prisoners who are qualified for parole,
pardon and other forms of executive clemency, while the
PPA exercises general supervision over all parolees &
probationers & promotes correction and rehabilitation of
offenders outside prison institution.
 Correction – A branch of Criminal Justice System
concerned with the custody, supervision and
rehabilitation of Criminal offenders.

 Correctional Administration – the study and

practice of system management of jails or prisons
and other institution concerned with the custody,
treatment and rehabilitation of criminal offender.
Penology – study of punishment for crime, it is the branch
of criminology dealing with prison management, and the
deterrent and reformatory treatment of criminals.
Penology also known as Penal Science has for its scope
and coverage the philosophy & corrective practice,
particular dealing w/ prison management as well as
punishment of persons who violate criminal law. It is
influenced by Classical Doctrine.

It comes for 2 words “PENO” and LOGY. Term Peno

derived from Greek word “POINE” as well as from Latin
word “POENA” both means Punishment, Logy is derived
from Latin word “LOGOS” meaning science.
 Penal Management – refers to the
manner or practice of managing or
controlling places of confinement as jails
or prisons.
Functions of Corrections

 Maintenance of Institution
 Protection of law-abiding members of
society
 Reformation and rehabilitation of
offenders
 Deterrence of crime
Nature and Trends of Punishment
 Punishment – (Legal sense) it is more
individual redress or personal vengeance.
Therefore, it is defined as the redress of the
state against an offending member.
 Punishment – (General Sense) – it is the
infliction of some sort of pain on the offender
for violating the law
 Penalty – the suffering that is inflicted by the
State for the transgression of law
Ancient Form of Contemporary Form of
Punishment Punishment

 Death Penalty  Imprisonement

 Physical torture  Parole
 Social Degradation  Probation
 Banishment  Fines
 Destierro
 Penalty and Sentence
Penalty Sentence
 Pertains to the suffering  After a criminal trial, the
or pain inflicted by the trial court imposes a
government on a sentence as a penalty for
lawbreaker as a the crime committed. The
consequence of violating sentence could include
the law. incarceration, monetary
fines, or other forms of
punishment.
Classification of Penalties

Capital Punishment
Death ( RA 7659 and RA 8177 as amended by RA 9346)
Afflictive Penalties
Reclusion Perpetua 20years and 1 day to 40 years
Reclusion Temporal 12years and 1 day to 20 years
Prision Mayor 6 year and 1 day to 12 years
Correctional Penalties
Prision Correctional 6 months and 1 day to 6 years
Arresto Mayor 1 month and 1 day to 6 months
Light Penalties
Arresto Menor 1 day to 30 days
 Prescription of Penalties

PENALTY PRESCRIBES IN

Death and Reclusion Perpetua 20 years

Other Afflictive Penalties 15 years

Correctional Penalties 10 years

Arresto Mayor 5 years

Light Penalties 1 year

CONDITIONS OF PENALTY
1) Must be productive of suffering w/o however, affecting the
integrity of the human personality.
2) Must be commensurate with the offense/ different
penalties.
3) Must be personal – no one should be punished for the
crime of another.
4) Must be legal – it is the consequence of a judgment
according to law.
5) Must be certain – no one may escape its effects.
6) Must be equal for all.
7) Must be correctional.
 THEORIES IN JUSTIFICATION OF
PENALTIES

1) PREVENTION – the state must punish criminal to

prevent or suppress the danger in the state arising from
criminal act.
2) SELF DEFENSE – the state has the right to punish the
criminal as a measure of self defense so as to protect
society from the threat and wrong inflicted by the
criminal.
3) REFORMATION – the object of punishment in criminal
cases is to correct and reform the offender.
4) EXEMPLARITY – the criminal is punish to serve as an
example to deter others from committing crimes.
5) JUSTICES – the crime must be punished by the state
as an act of retributive justice, a vindication of absolute
right and moral law violated by the criminal.
3 FOLD PURPOSE OF PENALTY UNDER
REVISED PENAL CODE

1) RETRIBUTION OR EXPIATION – the penalty

is commensurate with the gravity of the
offense.
2) CORRECTION OR REFORMATION –
regulate the execution of the penalties
consisting in the deprivation of liberty
3) SOCIAL DEFENSE – as shown by its
inflexible severity to recidivist and habitual
delinquents.
LAW GOVERNING CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

Revised Penal Code also known as the Criminal law form as

part of statues as act NO. 3815 as amended signed into law
by the American Govern General Dwight F. Davis on Dec. 8,
1930 & took effect on Jan. 1, 1932.

The Revised Penal code is the revised and amended version

of the penal code of Spain of 1870 (Codigo Penal Español)
which was extended to the Philippines by Royal Decree of the
king of Spain dated Dec. 17, 1886 and took effect on July 14,
1887 and becomes the Criminal Law of the Philippines up to
Dec. 31 1931 when it bowed out of existence to give way to
Revised Penal Code that look effect on Jan. 1, 1932 effective
up to present time with various amendments.
 Republic Act No. 7659 – Implemented on December
3, 1993, imposes death penalty for heinous crime such
as treason, piracy, qualified piracy, qualified bribery,
parricide, murder, infanticide, kidnapping and serious
illegal detention, robbery with homicide, destructive
arson with homicide, plunder, dangerous drugs and
carnapping.
 Republic Act No. 8177 – Enacted on March 20, 1996
which requires death penalty to be administered by
lethal injection.
 Republic Act No. 9346 – Prohibits the imposition of
Death penalty in the Philippines (June 24, 2006)
 The School of Penology
 Classical School (Focus: Crime) – swift, certain, severe
punishment within the framework of a rational legal system
will deter criminal behavior.
 Neo-Classical School – focus on deterrence and
retribution but less emphasis on rehabilitation.
 Italian or Positivist School – (Focus: Criminal) – prevent
crime through treatment and rehabilitation of offenders by
addressing the underlying causes of their behavior.
 Modern Clinical School – understand the circumstances
that led to the criminals behavior and determining the most
appropriate way to handle them within society.
 ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF
CORRECTION
• Law originated from God and he laid down His infinite
wisdom and power to enforce it and prescribed penalty or
punishment. God created Adam & Eve and decreed that they
can eat any of the fruits of trees growing in the Garden of
Eden, except the fruit of TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD
AND EVIL.

• Adam and Eve broke that law, so they were the first criminal
as they were punished by exile or banishment from the
Garden of Eden, which could be considered as first penalty
or punishment.

.
The first crime against person was likewise shown in the Bible,
when Cain killed his brother Abel, In punishment for such crime,
God placed a mark on Cain, and make him a wanderer on the
face of death, as well a cursed his children for crime of the
father. The “Mark of Cain” that God put on the brow of Cain is
for the purpose of warning all men of his crime. Said act is
implanted in the consciousness of every criminal and makes
them anti-social and that they always hide their criminal
activities.

The Bible likewise cites many instances of punishment to those

who violated God’s laws, such as;
(a) The destruction of fire and brimstone of Sodom and
Gomorrha
(b) The GREAT FLOOD which covered the Biblical world,
wherein it rained for FORTY(40) days and nights and only
NOAH, his family, as well as the animals that were in the ark
lived.
MOSAIC CODE – premise on concept
of retribution, allows offender and
victim to settle.

KING UR-NAMMO’S CODE –

imposition of restitution and fines of
execution mutilation or other savage
penalties, but not death.
 Code of Hammurabi
 Hammurabi, the king of Babylon during 18th
century, was recognized as the first codifier
of laws.
 The Law of Talion (Lex Taliones) or principle
of “tit for tat” – punishment should be the
same as the harm inflicted on the victim
 Provides the 1st comprehensive view of law in
the early days
 The Code was starved in stone
The Hittites

 Two century after the Hammurabi

 Though discovered, few were deciphered
 Great importance in Morality
The Religious Code

 10 Commandments of the Book of

Deutronomy
 The book of Koran – Koran is more
specific on three kinds of offenses:
Homicide, theft and adultery
The Greek
Code of Draco (Drakon) Laws of Solon

 The “ultimate severity”  Repealed the Code of Draco

 Solon was the one of the first
to see that a lawgiver had to
make laws that applied
equally to all citizens
 Saw that punishment must
maintain proportionality to the
crimes committed.
 Rome and the Criminal
Law (the Twelve Tables)
 Foundation of all laws in Rome and
written in tablets of bronze
 Drafted by Decemvirs, a body of men
composed of patricians.
 Written in the middle of 6th century
 It is largely incorporated into the Justinian
Code.
Justinian Code

 Roman Emperor Justin put the code in

effect
 Became the standard law in all areas
occupied by the Roman Empire in
Europe.
 Revision of Twelve tables
Burgundian Code

 Introduced the concept of Restitution

 Punishment was meted according to social
status: Nobles, middle class and lower class
has specified values on their lives.
 Offender had to pay specified value in order
not to undergo physical suffering as penalty
 Offender who cannot pay will be subjected to
death penalty
Punishment to the Middle Age to
Criminal Law and Deterrence
 After tha fall of Rome in the 5th Century A.D.
– to the beginning of Middle Ages in the 13th
Century, submerging the Europe to the
“Dark Ages”, the roman laws were almost
forgotten
 Strongly revived only during the
Renaissance and Reformation and on to the
18th and 19th centuries.
 Acts of the Punishment of Rogue,
Vagabonds and sturdy Beggars

 Bridewell Institution 1597

 Enacted during the reign of King Henry VII
(1509-1947) under his daughter Elizabeth I.
 Mandates beggars to be return to their birth
place, kept in jail or house of corrections
until they could be put to work
 Became the basis of transportation of
criminals
 The former Royal Palace of Bridewell,
London was the first work house for poor
and idle people.
 In 1602, Elizabeth I proclaimed that those
who are not convicted of murder, rape or
burglary be sent to Galleys to work as
slaves or oarsman.
 Hulks
• Prison ship
• Former warship used to house
prisoner in 18th to 19th century
• Abandoned or unusable transport
ships which were converted into
prison as means of relieving
congestion when transported
system was abandoned in rivers
• Also called as “floating hells”
• No segregation for young, man and
woman
• Lasted for 85 years
 Gaols
• Hard for the poor but not for the
wealthy
• Prisoners have to pay for their
accommodation, food and the
cost of administration and
security
• The prisoners were chained at
the wrist, ankles or neck and
these chains were tied on the
wall or floor of the prison.
 Wallnut Street Jail
• 1st American penitentiary in
Philadelphia
• Psychological treatment
• Where the separate, silent
penitentiary philosophy of
john Howard was introduced.
Maine State Prison
• Early Roman Place of Confinement
• Prisoner worked in the mines during day
and then their ankles and necks were
shackled during night to prevent escape
• Detain offenders where they will starved
to death
 Sing Sing
Prison
• One of the most notorious
prison on 1800
• The force of icy cold water
hitting the head of the
offender caused so much
pain and extreme shock
and sudden drop in body
temperature
 Hospicio de San Michelle 1703
in Rome
• Emphasized the rehabilitative concept of
the segaragation of prisoner and force to
silence to make him contemplate their
wrongdoings
• Physical tortured was minimized and
reserved ony for incorrigibles
• Supplanted by mental and psychological
stress due to extreme loneliness of
segragation and forced silence
• They listened to religious brothers giving
religious teachings
• Chained in one foot and strict rule of silence
John Howard 1773
 High Sheriff of Bedfordshire
 He was captured by the French and held
prisoner for two months in great barbarity
 He was returned to England as
exchanged prisoner
 Wrote the book “The State of the Prisons
in England and Wales”
John Howard
 Father of Prison Reform
 Single cell for sleeping
 Segregation of women and youth
 Sanitation of jail
 Abolition of fee system
18th Century
 Development of Modern Correctional
Concepts and Standards

1718 (Europe, France and Spain) Mid of 19th Century

 Punishment and  1875
transportation of criminals  Transportation system
became a practice was finally abandoned
 Abruptly halt in 1778 due to but over 135,000 felons
American Revolution leading had been sent to
England to divert their Australia and New
convicts to Australia and New Zealand
Zealand
Later part of 18th Century
 Age of Reason or Age of Enlightenment
 Baron de Montesquieu and Voltaire took
active part in making reforms in criminal law
and procedure by stimulating the cerusading
zeal of an Italian philosopher named Cesare
Becarria.
 1870-1880 – The Golden Age of Penology
Cesare Becarria
 Secret accusation and torture should be abolished.
Speedy trial should be promoted.
 No capital punishment. Life imprisonment is a
better deterrent.
 Banishment is excellent for crime against state.
 Crime against property should be punished by fine
or imprisonment if unable to pay the fine.
 Capital punishment is irreparable hence no
provision for possible mistakes and later reflection.
Jeremy Bentham
 Greatest Happiness
principle
 Hedonistic Calculus or
Felicific Calculus
 Utilitarianism
 Designed the Panopticon
Prison
Development of Prison
 In United States, prison was first
established.

 Evolve as substitute for transportation,

exile. Public degradations, corporal
punishment and death penalty by
provision of Pennsylvania Law of 1790.
William Penns
 “The Great law” of Pennsylvania
 Providing more humane treatment of
offender
 Responsible for abolition of death penalty
Development of Prison

 In Medieval Europe, jail was introduced

 A place of confinement of persons

arrested, undergoing trial and for those
convicted of minor offenses such as
vagrancy, gambling and prostitution.
 The Two Rival Prison
Auburn Prison System Pennsylvania Prison System
 Established in 1819
 Established in 1829
 Confinement of the
 Confinement of prisoners
prisoners in a single cell at
in their own cells day and
night and congregate work
night
in shops during day
 Adopted by European
 Adopted by United states
countries

Note: Both observe complete silence

Maison de Force – rule of silence
 Reformatory Movement
Manuel Montesinos Alexander Maconochie
 Director of prison of Valencia  Superintendent of the
Spain in 1835 penal colony in Norfolk
 He divided prisoners into Island in Australia
companies and appointed  Introduced a progressive
one prisoner as petty officer humane system to
in charge substitute for corporal
 Academic classes of one punishment
hour a day was given to all  Marking system
inmates under 20 years of
age
Domets of France
 Established agricultural colony for
delinquent boys in 1839
 The boys were housed in cottage with
house father in charge
 System was based on re-education rather
than force
 When discharged, the boys were place
under the supervision of a Patron
Sir Walter Crofton
 Chairman of the Director of Irish Prison
 Introduced the Irish system in 1856
 1st stage – solitary confinement for 9months
 2nd stage – work assignment to public work at
Spike Island. Prisoner worked for his promotion
and wore badge of distinction.
 3rd stage- the prisoner was sent to Lurk or Smith
field which was sort of preparation for release.
 Final Stage – release on supervision under
conditions
 Z.R. Brockway
 Introduced the Elmira Reform System in New York –
forerunner of Modern Penology
 A new institutional program for boys (16-30)
 New prisoner was classified as 2nd grade and was
promoted to 1st grade after 6 months of good behaviour.
 Another 6 months of good behaviour will qualified him for
Parole.
 If committed misconduct, demoted to 3 rd stage where he
was required to show good conduct for one month to be
reclassified ato 2nd grade.
Jail and Prison
 Jail Administration
 Jails- are primarily adult penal institution used for the
detention of persons charged with crime, but later it
came into use for the service of shorter sentence.
 Today, it is the place for locking-up persons who are
convicted of minor offenses or felonies who are to
serve a short sentence imposed upon them by a
competent court, or for confinement of persons who
are awaiting trial or investigation of their cases.
 Derived from Spanish word “Jaula” and “Caula”and
French word “Gaol”
 Types of Jails
1. Lock-up – this is a security usually operated by the police
department, for temporary detention of persons held for
investigation or awaiting preliminary hearing, usually period
of detention does not exceed 48 hours.
2. Ordinary Jail – house both offenders awaiting court action
and those serving short sentences, usually up to three years,
frequently it is only facility available for the detention of the
juvenile offender and for the care of the non-criminal insane,
pending commitment to the state psychopathic hospital.
3. Workhouse, jail-farm or camp – these institution house
minimum custody offenders serving short sentences, usually
not more than three years.
 General Classification of Jail

 Municipal Jail – punishable with duration of 1day to

6months
 City Jail – punishable with duration of 1day to
3years
 District Jail – Punishable with duration of 6 months-
1 day to 3 years
 Provincial Jail – punishable with duration of 6
months – 1day to 3 years (under provincial
government)
Prison

 Institutions for confinement of convicted offenders

sentence to more than 3 years of imprisonment
 Derived from Greco-Roman word “presidio”
 Administered by National government under
Bureau of Corrections
 Also called national prisons and includes penal
colonies and penal farms.
Importance of Jail and Prison

 Serves as deterrent
 Enables the wrongdoer to be reformed and
rehabilitated
 Avoid influence of hardened criminal
 Separate offender according to duration of
imprisonment
 Determine the separation of jurisdiction between
two or more cities
 Help the government economically
PHILIPPINE PRISON
HISTORY
BILIBID PRISON

 Spanish Penal Code, 1847 on Oroquieta

Street
 Opened on April 10, 1986 by a Royal
Decree
 “Mayhaligue Estate”
 For boys town
 Manila City Jail
San Ramon Prison and
Penal Farm
 Southern Tip of Zamboanga Del Sur
 August 21, 1869/1870 – Established to
confine Muslim rebels and intractable
political prisoners opposed to the
Spanish rule.
 1414-1524.6 ha sprawling estate
 Copra
 Named after its founder Capt. Ramon
Blanco
Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm
 Americans established it on November 4,
1904
 Luhit Penal Settlement
 Located at Puerto Princesa, Palawan
 Institution for incorrigibles with little hope
 40,000ha in 1950’s
 “Prison without Walls”
Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm
 Suggested by Gov. Luke Wright
 Order of Gov. Forbes
 By virtue of Reorganization Act of 1407 created
by Bureau of Prison on Nov 1, 1905 (well-
behaved)
 Administered TAGUMPAY SETTLEMENT (6ha
homestead lots distributed to inmates who live
there
 Lt. George Wolfe became its 1st Superintendent
Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm
 Was expanded to 41,007 ha by virtue of
E.O. 67 issued by Gov. Newton Gilbert
on October 15, 1912
 Divided into 4 Colonies
 Sta. Lucia Sub-Colony
 Inagawan Sub-Colony
 Montible Sub-Colony
 Central Sub-Colony
New Bilibid Prison

 1936 started the construction

 On January 22, 1941 it was transferred to
Muntinlupa City
 587 ha, part of which was suitable for
farming
 Lt. George Wolfe was its 1st director of
Prison
 Surrounded by three layers of barbed wire
New Bilibid Prison

 Walls
 8-12ft for minimum
 12-14ft for medium
 18-25 ft for maximum
 Two parallel with sight
New Bilibid Prison
 Pres. Fidel V. Ramos signed in to law the
imposition of Death Penalty on Heinous Crime –
RA 7659, Dec. 13, 1993
 Lethal Injection – RA 8177, March 20, 1996
 Feb. 5, 1999, Leo Echegaray, 1st death executed
thru Lethal Injection
 Sodium Thlopental – put convict to sleep
 Panouronium Bromide – paralyze the muscle
 Potassium Chloride – stop the heart beat
New Bilibid Prison
MINIMUM SECURITY
 Bukang Liwayway Camp
 Half-way house and
Juvenile Training Center
MEDIUM SECURITY
 2.5 km from main building
 Camp Sampaguita
 Reception and Diagnostic
Center
 Youth Detention Center
MAXIMUM SECURITY
 Death convicts
 Inmates sentenced to life
term
 Numerous pending
cases,
 Multiple convictions, and
 Sentenced of more than
20 years
Davao Penal Colony and
Farm
 Tagum, Davao del Norte
 30,000 ha
 First Penal settlement organized under
Filipino Administration
 Established on Jan. 21, 1932 in
accordance to Act No. 3732 and
Proclamation 414 of 1931, signed by
Gov. Dwight Davis
Davao Penal Colony and
Farm
 Biggest banana and Abaca plantation (3000ha)
 Two Sub-colony
 Panabo Sub-colony
 Kapalong Sub-colony
 Tanglaw Settlement and Tagum settlement
 Engaged in Tagum Development Company
(TADECO)
Sablayan Penal Colony
and Farm
 16,408.5 ha in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro
 established on Sept 27, 1954 by Proclamation No. 72
 Rice is the principal product
 Mr. Candido Bagasoain – first head of Sablayan
 Four Sub-Colony
 Central sub-colony
 Pusog sub-colony
 Pasugui sub-colony
 Yapang sub-colony
Correctional Institution for
Women
 Established in Mandaluyong Rizal by Act
No. 3579 on November 27, 1929
 “Womens Prison”
 18ha
 In 1934, the position for Female Supt.
was made for the operation of this penal
facility
Leyte Regional Prison

 Located in Abuyog, Southern Leyte

 Established on Jan. 16, 1973, PD No. 28,
by Ferdinand Marcos
 Considered as the youngest prison
 “National Correctional Consciousness
week”- every last week of October

 Bureau of Prison was renamed Bureau of

Corrections under the New
Administrative Code of 1987 and
Proclamation No. 495 issued on
November 22, 1989
 BUREAU OF JAIL
MANAGEMENT AND
PENOLOGY (BJMP)
Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology (BJMP)
 Established under the provisions of Sec 60 to
65, Chapter V of RA No. 6975.
 Under the DILG
 The BJMP exercises administrative and
operational jurisdiction over all district, city and
municipal jails.
 Please refer to your module.
 The Provincial Jail

 It was created during the American Regime.

 Sec 61 of RA 6975 and RA 7610 stipulates
that provincial jail will remain under the
supervision and control of the provincial
government.
 104 Provincial jails
 Headed by Provincial Jail Warden
Bureau of Corrections

 Headed by a Director who is appointed

by the President of the Philippines with
the confirmation of COA.
 Has general supervision and control of all
national prisons/penitentiaries.
 Charged with the safekeeping of all
insular prisoners confined therein or
committed to the custody of the Bureau.
Classification of Prisoners

 P.D. 29 – the law that classified prisoners

 According to Status
 According to PD 29
 According to Sentence
According to Status

 Detention Prisoners – those held for

security reasons; held for investigation;
those awaiting final judgment; those
awaiting trial. Persons detained for
violation of law or ordinances and not yet
convicted.
 Sentence Prisoner – those convicted by
final judgment.
According to PD 29

 Insular or National Prisoner – those

whose sentenced is 3years and one day to
death or whose fine is more than six
thousand pesos (P6,000.00), or both.
 City/Provincial Prisoner – those whose
sentence is less than 3 years or whose fine
is less than six thousand pesos (P6,000.00)
but more than two hundred pesos
(P200.00), or both.
According to Sentence
 Insular Prisoner – one who is sentenced to a
prison term of 3 years, 1 day to death.
 Provincial Prisoner - one who is sentenced to
a prison term of 6months, 1 day to 3years.
 City Prisoner- one who is sentenced to a
prison term of 1 day to 3years.
 Municipal Prisoner- one who is sentenced to
a prison term of 1 day to 6 months
Three types of Detainees

 Undergoing custodial investigation;

 Awaiting for or undergoing trial; and
 Awaiting for final judgement

 Note: Inmate – either a prisoner or

detainee (presently called as PDL –
Persons Deprived of Liberty)
 "Prison" refers to a penal establishment under the control of the Bureau of
Corrections and shall include the New Bilibid Prison, the Correctional
Institution for Women, the Leyte Regional Prison and the Davao, San Ramon,
Sablayan and Iwahig Prison and Penal Farms;
 “Competent authority" shall refer to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals,
Regional Trial Court, Metropolitan Trial Court, Municipal Trial Court, Municipal
Circuit Trial Court, Sandiganbayan, Military Courts, House of Representatives,
Senate, Commission on Elections, Bureau of Immigration and the Board of
Pardons and Parole;
 "Inmate" refers to a national prisoner or one sentenced by a court to serve a
maximum term of imprisonment of more than three (3) years or to a fine of
more than one thousand pesos (P1,000.00); or regardless of the length of the
sentence imposed by the court, to one sentenced for violation of the customs
law or other laws within the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Customs or
enforceable by it, or for violation of immigration and elections laws; or to one
sentenced to serve two (2) or more prison sentences in the aggregate
exceeding the period of three (3) years, whether or not he has appealed. It
shall also include a person committed to the Bureau by a court or competent
authority for safekeeping or similar purpose. Unless otherwise indicated,
"inmate" shall also refer to a "detainee".
 "Detainee" is a person who is confined in prison pending
preliminary investigation, trial or appeal; or upon legal process
issued by competent authority;
 "Death convict" refers to an inmate whose death penalty
imposed by a Regional Trial Court is affirmed by the Supreme
Court en banc;
 "Bureau" refers to the Bureau of Corrections;
 "Director" refers to the Director of the Bureau;
 "Department" refers to the Department of Justice;
 "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of Justice;
 "Superintendent" refers to the one in charge of a prison;
 "Guard" refers to a member of the custodial force of a prison;
 "Board" refers to the Board of Pardons and Parole;
 "Carpeta" refers to the institutional record of an inmate
which consists of his mittimus/commitment order, the
prosecutor's information and the decision of the trial court,
including that the appellate court, if any;
 "Prison record" refers to information concerning an
inmate's personal circumstances, the offense he
committed, the sentence imposed, the criminal case
numbers in the trial and appellate courts, the date he
commenced service of his sentence, the date he was
received for confinement, the place of confinement, the
date of expiration of his sentence, the number of previous
convictions, if any, and his behavior or conduct while in
prison.
Admission of Inmates
 Admission – an inmate shall be admitted
in the Reception & Diagnostic Center
(RDC) of a prison upon presentation of the
following documents:
 Mittimus/Commitment Order of the court;
 Information and Court decision in the case;
 Certificate of Detention, if any and
 Certification that the case is not on appeal.
 Note: A female inmate shall be received only
by female officer.
 Mittimus – a warrant issued by the court
bearing its seal and the signature of the
judge, directing the jail or prison
authorities to receive inmates for custody
or service of sentenced imposed.
 Commitment Order – a written order of
the court or any other competent
authority consigning an offender to jail or
prison for confinement.
 Registration Book – a prison shall keep
abound registration book wherein all
commitments shall be recorded
chronologically. The register contain the
following entries:
 Name of Inmate;
 Reason for commitment and the authority
thereof;
 Sentence
 Date and hour of admission; and
 Date and hour of discharge or transfer and
basis thereof.
 Admission Process – After registration,
the inmate shall be photographed, front
and side view, fingerprinted and assigned
a permanent prison number. The male
inmate shall then be given a regulation
haircut and his beard/mustache, if any,
shall be shaven off.
 Hairpieces – An inmate may not wear a
wig or artificial hairpiece, unless medical
authorization to do so is approved by the
Superintendent.
 Place for admission – the admission of
an inmate shall be made in a area that is
physically separated from the general
prison population.
 Body search of inmate; personal effects – upon
admission, the inmate shall be searched thoroughly. He
shall be allowed to retain in his possessions only such
articles as authorized hereunder.
 A list of all articles taken from the inmate shall be entered
in the inmate’s record and receipted by the guard in
charge thereof.
 All articles taken from the inmate shall be returned to him
upon his discharge unless previously disposed of at the
inmate’s request or ordered condemned by the
Superintendent after a lapse of two (2) years.
 If the inmate brings in any drugs or medicine, the medical
officer on duty shall decide on its disposition.
 Confiscation of contraband – narcotics
and all other prohibited drugs or
substances, the possession and/or use of
which are punishable under our laws, all
types of weapons, substances or
chemicals that may cause injury to
persons, and items or articles which an
inmate is not allowed to possess under
prison rules shall be considered
contraband items and confiscated.
Issuance of Uniforms &
etc
 The newly admitted inmate shall be issued two (2)
regulation uniform/suits and two (2) t-shirts. Whenever
practicable, he shall also be issued the following items:
 1 blanket
 1mat
 1 pillow with pillow case
 1 mosquito net
 1 set mess kit
 1 pair of slippers
The inmate shall be held responsible and accountable
for the items issued to him.
 Personal effects of inmate – in addition to the articles
supplied by the prison, the inmate may bring clothes
and other items essential to his well-being., provided
the quantity, nature and dimension thereof will not
interfere with the safety and living conditions of the
other inmates.
 The Superintendent may allow the inmate to bring
electrical equipment like televuision sets, radio
cassettes, video players, electric fans and similar items
provided the same is for common use with other
inmates.
 In no case shall an inmate be allowed to bring in
luxurious items such as air conditioners, carpets,
sofas, beds, sleeping mattresses, washing machines
and the like.
 Wearing of Jewelry – an inmate may
not wear jewelry items. He may, however
allowed to wear an inexpensive watch
and the like.
 Admission and
Confinement of Inmates
 Reception and Diagnostic Center (RDC)
 There shall be a RDC in every prison which shall receive
and classify inmates and detainees committed to the
Bureau.
 Quarantine – upon admission in the RDC, an inmate shall
be placed in quarantine for atleast five (5) days during which
shall be:
 given physical examination to determine any physical
illness or handicap or mental ailment and to segregate
those suspected of having an infectious or contagious
disease. If found sick, the inmate shall be immediately
confined in the prison hospital;
 Oriented with prison rules; and

 Interviewed by a counsellor, social worker or

other program staff officers. The interview
shall be conducted in private.
 Assignment of Inmate – After the quarantine
period, the inmate shall remain in the RDC for a
period not exceeding fifty-five (55) days where
he shall undergo psychiatric, psychological,
sociological, vocational, educational and religious
and other examinations.
 The result of said examinations shall be the basis
for the inmate’s individualized treatment
program.
 Thereafter, he shall be assigned to a prison
facility as may be recommended by the Chief of
the RDC.
 Inmate Record – the RDC shall keep a
complete record of an inmate which shall
include the inmate’s personal
circumstances; a brief personal, social
and occupational history; the result of the
intake interview; and initial security
classification.
Classification of Inmates
 The process of assigning or grouping of inmates
according to their sentence, gender, age,
nationality, health, criminal records and other
pertinent facts as basis.
 A method by which diagnosis, treatment, planning
and execution of treatment programs are
coordinated to an individual.
 The process of assigning inmates to types of
custody or treatment programs appropriate to their
needs.
Procedures of Classification

 Diagnosis – a stage where the

prisoner’s case history is taken and his
personality studied.
 Through examinations and observations, the
nature and extent of the person’s criminality
is determined and it shall be the basis for the
formulation of his rehabilitation program.
Procedures of Classification

 Treatment Planning – involves the

formulation of a tentative treatment
program best suited to the needs of the
individual prisoner, based on the findings.
 Execution of the treatment program –
the actual application of the treatment
program designed for the prisoner.
Procedures of Classification

 Re-classification – the process of

monitoring the response of the prisoner to
the treatment program and the conduct of
review of previous findings as compared to
new information currently available.
 Periodic analysis of inmates continues
from the time of initial classification until his
release.
Classification of Inmates

 Classification Board – every prison

shall have a Classification Board that
shall classify inmates. The board shall be
composed of the following:
 Chairman – Superintendent
 Vice Chairman – Chief, RDC
 Members – Medical Officer; Chief, Education
Section; Chief, Agro-Industries Section
 Secretary – Chief Overseer
Classification of Inmates

 Inmates shall be classified as to security

status and as to entitlement to prison
privileges. An inmate shall be assigned to
any of the following groups:
 Maximum security – this shall include
highly dangerous or high security inmates as
determined by the Classification board who
require a high degree of control and
supervision.
Maximum Security Inmate

 Those sentenced to death;

 Those whose minimum sentence is
twenty(20) years imprisonment;
 Remand inmates or detainees whose
sentence is twenty (20) years and above
and those whose sentences are under
review by the Supreme court or the Court
of Appeals;
Maximum Security Inmate

 Those with pending cases;

 Recidivists, habitual delinquents and
escapees;
 Those under disciplinary punishment or
safekeeping;
 Those who are criminally insane or those
with severe personality or emotional
disorders that make them dangerous to
fellow inmates or prison staff.
Medium Security Inmate

 This shall include those who cannot be

trusted in less-secured areas and those
whose conduct or behaviour require
minimum supervision. Under this
category are:
 Those whose minimum sentence is less
than 20 years imprisonment;
 Remand inmates or detainees whose
sentences are below 20 years;
Medium Security Inmate

 Those who are 18 years of age and

below, regardless of the case and
sentence;
 Those who have two (2) or more records
of escapes. They can be classified as
medium security inmates if they have
served eight (8) years since they were
recommitted. Those with one (1) record
of escape must serve five (5) years;
Medium Security Inmate

 First offenders sentenced to life

imprisonment. They may be classified as
medium security inmates if they have
served five(5) years in a maximum security
prison or less, upon recommendation of the
Superintendent.
 Those who were detained in a city and or
provincial jail shall not be entitled to said
classification.
Minimum Security Inmate
 This shall include those who can be reasonably
trusted to serve their sentence under less
restricted conditions. Under this category are:
 Those with severe physical handicap as
certified by the chief medical officer of the
prison;
 Those who are sixty-five (65) years old and
above; without pending case and whose
convictions are not on appeal;
Minimum Security Inmate

 Those who have served one-half (½) of their

minimum sentence or one0third (1/3) of
their maximum sentence; excluding Good
Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) as
provided in Chapter 4, Part III hereof; and
 Those who have only six months more to
serve before the expiration of their
maximum sentence.
Color of Uniform
 Color of Uniform as to security classification –
the color of the uniform of an inmate shall be
based on his security classification, as follows:
 Maximum security – tangerine
 Medium security – blue
 Minimum security – brown
 Detainee – gray
 BJMP - yellow
Classification of Inmates as to
Entitlement to Privileges
 Inmates shall be classified as follows to
determine their entitlement to prison privileges:
 Detainee
 Third Class Inmate – one who has either
been previously committed for three (3) or
more times as a sentenced inmate, except
those imprisoned for non-payment of a fine
and those who had been reduced from a
higher class;
Classification of Inmates as to
Entitlement to Privileges
 Second Class Inmate – a newly arrived
inmate demoted from first class; or one
promoted from the third class;
 First Class inmate – one whose known
character and credit for work while in detention
earned assignment to this class upon
commencement of sentence; or one who has
been promoted from the second class;
 Colonist
 Colonist – the Director may, upon the
recommendation of the Classification Board,
classify an inmate who has the following
qualifications as a colonist:
 Be atleast first class inmate and has served one
(1) year immediately preceding the completion of
the period specified in the following
qualifications;
 Has served imprisonment with good conduct for
a period equivalent to 1/5 of the maximum term
of his prison sentence, or 7 years in the case of
a life sentence.
 Privileges of a Colonist
 Credit of additional GCTA of 5days for each calendar
month while he retains said classification aside from the
regular GCTA authorized under Article 97 of the RPC.
(later on amended by Sec 3 of RA 10592)
 2 years – 20 days every month
 3-5 years – 23 days every month
 6 – 10 years – 25 days
 11 and successive years – 30 days
Note: As any time during the period of imprisonment, he
shall be allowed another deduction of 15 days for
each month of study, teaching or mentoring service
time rendered.
Privileges of a Colonist
 Automatic reduction of the life sentence imposed on the
colonist to a sentence of 30 years;
 Subject to the approval of the Director, to have his wife
and children, or the woman he desires to marry, live
with him in the prison and penal farm. Transportation
expenses of the family going to and the discharge of
the colonist from the prison and penal farm shall be for
the account of the government. The family may avail of
all prison facilities such as hospital, church, and school
free of charge. All the members of the family of a
colonist shall subject to the rule governing the prison
and penal farm.
Privileges of a Colonist
 As a special reward to a deserving colonist, the
issuance of a reasonable amount of clothing
and ordinary household supplies from the
government commissary in addition to free
subsistence; and
 To wear civilian clothes on such special
occasions as may be designated by the
Superintendent.
 Inmates who are spouses – Husband and
wife inmates may be allowed to serve their
sentence together in prison and penal farm
as soon as both are classified as colonists.
 Revocation of colonist status – the grant
of colonist status may, for cause, be
revoked at anytime by the Superintendent
with the approval of the Director.
 Confinement and
Accommodations of Inmate
 Place of confinement – an inmate shall only be
confined in a place declared by the President of
the Philippines by Executive Order to be aplace of
confinement of national inmates or by specific
direction of the court, provided that a male inmate
shall be committed directly to and shall be
confined in a prison nearest his actual place of
residence. A prison may also be used as a place
of detention for other classes of inmates or for
temporary safekeeping of any person detained
upon legal process.
 Security compounds – a prison shall, whenever
possible, have separate prison compounds for the
segregation of inmates according to their security
classification. Each compound shall be under a
Superintendent who is assisted by an Assistant
Superintendent.
 Separate facilities – when facilities permit, there
shall be separate dormitories to house inmates
under the following categories:
 Finally sentenced inmates;
 Death convicts;
 Inmates who, by reason of their criminal record, are likely
to exercise a negative influence on other inmates;
 Detainees;
 Youth offenders or those below eighteen years
of age;
 First offenders;
 Habitual delinquents, recidivists, escapees;
 Infirm, aged, invalids and other finally
convicted inmates whose physical condition
seriously impairs their mobility;
 Those suffering from mental disease or
abnormality, including sexual deviates;
 Female offenders;
 Drug dependents;
 Foreign nationals; and
 Members of Cultural minorities.
 Prison Accommodations
Standards
 All accommodations for the use of inmates shall meet
requirements of sanitation and hygiene with emphasis on
adequate ventilation, living space and lighting;
 Bathrooms and washing areas shall be provided in every
prison facility.
 All areas regularly used by inmates shall be properly
maintained and kept clean at all times.
 Beds and clothing shall be neatly made up in a uniform
manner at all times. Beds and buildings occupied by
inmates shall be thoroughly disinfected atleast once a
month.
 Cleanliness shall be maintained at all times in all
dormitories or cells specially toilet and baths.
 As often as it is necessary, an inmate shall send his
dirty clothes to the laundry.
 Every Sunday and Holiday, if weather permits,
inmates will expose their clothes, beds, bedding and
so forth in the sunshine in an area designated for the
purpose. Cleanliness of the premises of the
dormitories and their surroundings shall be strictly
enforced. Littering is prohibited.
 Inmates shall be served meals 3 times a day.
Breakfast shall be served not more than 14 hours after
the previous day’s dinner.
 Youth Camps – the Bureau shall maintain
agricultural and forestry camps where youth
offenders may serve their sentence in lieu of
confinement in prison.
Transfer of Inmates
 Transfer of inmate to another prison – an
inmate may be transferred by the Director upon
the recommendation of the Superintendent
concerned to another prison facility to bring said
inmate closer to his family as part of his
rehabilitation program.
 Transfer of insane inmates – an inmate who has
been confirmed to be mentally abnormal or insane
may be transferred to a mental hospital with the
approval of the Director.
 Transfer of an inmate to a stockade of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) – the confinement of an inmate may be
transferred to an AFP stockade provided the inmate is certified
as minimum security risk and does not belong to any of the
following categories:
 Inmate serving a life term or sentenced to death;
 Inmate with previous record of escape;
 Recidivist;
 Inmate serving sentence for a crime involving moral turpitude;
 Female inmate;
 Inmate who had previously transfer to an AFP stockade and was
returned to prison for cause;
 Inmate who is more than 50 years old or who can no longer
perform manual work;
 Inmate who is a permanent resident of a place within a radius of
100km from the stockade where he is being transferred; or
 Inmate with pending case or who is a witness in any pending
criminal case.
 Transfer of an inmate not eligible to be a
colonist to a prison and penal farm –
upon the recommendation of the
Classification Board, the Director may also
transfer to a prison and penal farm an
inmate who, although not eligible for
classification as a colonist is:
 Physically and psychologically fit to absorb the
rehabilitative program in the colony, or
 That such inmate is the therapeutically
indicated.
 Transfer to a provincial jail and vice versa –
the President of the Philippines may direct, as the
occasion may require, the transfer from a National
prison to a provincial jail, or vice versa. The
expense for such transfers shall be borne by the
Bureau except the cost of escort service which
shall be provided by the PNP.
 Mental and physical examination of inmate to
be transferred - the inmate shall be given a
mental and physical examination prior to his
transfer.
Outside Movement of Inmate

 Movement of inmate outside confinement

facility – the Superintendent of a prison may
authorize an inmate to be taken out of prison
in the following instances;
 To appear in court or other government agency
as directed by competent authority;
 For medical examination/treatment or
hospitalization in an outside clinic or hospital; or
 To view the remains of a deceased relative.
 Approval by Secretary of outside movement –
the prior approval of the Secretary shall be
required for the outside movement of an NBP or
CIW inmate as provided in paragraphs b and c
above.
 Outside movement of death convict – a death
convict shall not be allowed to leave his place of
confinement except for the urgent treatment or
diagnosis of a life-threatening or serious ailment,
if the diagnosis is cannot be done or the
treatment provided in the prison hospital.
 Basis of Court Appearance – the court appearance of
an inmate shall be based on a subpoena issued by the
court as endorsed by the Director.
 Court appearance of a life termer or death convict –
no inmate sentenced to death or life imprisonment
confined in the NBP shall be brought outside said prison
for appearance or attendance in any court except when
the Supreme Court authorizes the presiding judge of the
court, upon proper application, to effect the said transfer
of said inmate.
 The NBP Superintendent shall request the judge in Metro
Manila and in the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan, Cavite and
Laguna who requires the appearance or attendance in any
judicial proceeding of an NBP death convict or life termer
to conduct such proceedings within the premises of said
prison.
 Application to view the remains of deceased relative;
supporting documents – a minimum or medium security
inmate may, upon written application, be allowed by the
Superintendent to view the remains of the following relatives
upon written application and submission of the original or
certified true copies of death certificate, the burial permit and
the documents specified hereunder;
 Wife or husband ( marriage certificate);
 Child (birth certificate of child and marriage cert the inmate);
 Brother/sister (birth certificate of brother/sister and birth cert of
inmate);
 Father/mother (birth certificate of the inmate)
 Grandchild (birth certificate of the grandchild and of the latter’s
parent who may be son or daughter of the inmate);
 Grandparent (birth certificate of the inmate and of his/her parent
who is the son/daughter of the deceased grandparent)
 When to file application – the application to view
the remains of the deceased relative and all its
supporting documents shall be filed with the
Superintendent at least 2 days before the
enjoyment of the privilege sought.
 In the case of an NBP or CIW inmate, the
application and its supporting documents, together
with the prison record of the inmate and the
favourable recommendation of the Superintendent
thereof and the Director, shall be forwarded to the
Secretary for final action at least 1 working day
before the privilege is to be enjoyed.
 Duration of Privilege – the inmate may be allowed
more or less 3 hours to view the deceased relative
in the place where the remains lie in state but shall
not be allowed to pass any other place in transit, or
to join the funeral cortege.
 Distance of travel – the privilege may be enjoyed
only if the deceased relative is in a place within a
radius of 30kilometres by road from the prison.
Where the distance is more than 30km, the
privilege may be extended if the inmate can leave
and return to his place of confinement during the
daylight hours of the same day.
 Rights and Privileges of an
Inmate
 Right of an inmate - an inmate shall have the following
basic rights:
 To receive compensation for labor he performs;
 To be credited with time allowances for good conduct
and loyalty;
 To send and receive mail matter;
 To practice his religion or observe his faith;
 To receive authorized visitors;
 To ventilate his grievances through proper channels;
and
 To receive death benefits and pecuniary aid for injuries.
 Privileges of an inmate – the following privileges
shall be extended to an inmate:
 Attend or participate in any entertainment or
athletic activity within the prison reservation;
 Read books in the library;
 Smoke cigar and cigarettes, except in
prohibited places;
 Participate in civic, religious and other activities
authorized by prison authorities; and
 Receive gifts and prepared food from visitors
subject to inspection.
 Rights of a Detainee – a detainee aside
may, aside from the rights and privileges
enjoyed by a finally convicted inmate,
wear civilian clothes and to grow his hair
in customary style.
Prison Labor

 Prison labor of finally convicted inmate -

a finally convicted inmate may be required
to work at least 8 hours a day, except on
Sundays and legal holidays, in and about
the prison, public buildings, grounds, roads,
and other public works of the national
government. In the interest of the service,
however, they may be required to work on
excepted days.
 Prison labor of a detainee – a detainee
may not be required to work in prison.
However, he may be made to polish his cell
and perform such other labor as may be
deemed necessary for hygienic or sanitary
reasons.
 Agreement of detainee to abide by rules
imposed on finally convicted inmates – upon
his admission, the detainee shall be informed that
he may be credited in the service of his prison
sentence with the full time during which he may
have undergone preventive imprisonment if he
agrees in writing to abide by the same disciplinary
rules imposed on convicted previously or twice or
more times of any crime.
 If the detainee agrees, he shall be asked to
manifest agreement in writing.
 Certification of Superintendent if detainee refuses
to abide by rules imposed on finally convicted
inmates – if the detainee does not agree to abide by
the same disciplinary rules as a finally convicted
inmate, the Superintendent shall issue a certification
under oath to effect that the detainee was apprised of
his right to be credited in the service of his prison
sentence with the full time during which he may have
undergone preventive imprisonment and that the
inmate refused to abide by the rules imposed upon
convicted inmate.
 In such case, the detainee shall be credited of his
sentence with 4/5 of the time during which he has
undergone preventive measurement.
 Agreement or Certification as part of prison record – the
Agreement or Certification mentioned above shall form part of
the prison record of the detainee.
 Female inmate – a female inmate shall only be assigned to
work on jobs suitable to her age and physical condition. She
shall be supervised only by women officers.
 Old inmate – an inmate over 60 years of age may be excused
from mandatory labor.
 Place of work of assignment – only medium and minimum
security inmates may be assigned to work in agricultural field
projects within a prison reservation. Maximum security
inmates shall not be allowed to work outside the maximum
security compound.
 Work programs – work programs shall be conducted in
prison to promote good work habits and self-esteem among
inmates and not as means to exploit cheap prison labor as a
punishment for deviant behaviour.
 Compensation Credits

 Inmate compensation – 6 months after being

permanently assigned to work in prison, an inmate
may receive compensation credits at rates to be
prescribed by the Director, provided:
 He maintains good conduct; and
 He shows interest and a definite degree of
progress in the particular work assigned to him
 Compensation credits – compensation credits shall
be allowed in the payment of those classified on
workmanship as may be prescribed by the Director.
 Keeping of work record of inmate – a record shall
be kept of inmates showing the workmanship
classification of skilled and semi-skilled grades. The
credits accruing to each shall be made monthly in
accordance with the approved recommendation of
the committee named for this purpose.
 A copy of the committee’s recommendation, duly
approved by the Director or the Superintendent, shall
be furnished the Commission on Audit for his
information in connection with his duty supervising
the proper accountability of the fund created, the
credits to which shall be part of inmate’s Trust fund.
 Compensation earned, how applied – the whole or
part of the compensation credits earned by an inmate
may be forfeited and applied to the payment of
supplies and equipment lost or damage resulting
from the inmate’s misconduct or wilful negligence. ½
of said earnings may be utilized by the inmate to
purchase some of his needs. The remainder shall be
withheld, to be paid to him upon his release only. In
exceptional cases, however, upon satisfactory
showing of a necessity for withdrawal, the Director or
Superintend may authorize the disbursement of any
part of the amount retained.
 Trust fund – compensation credits earned by the
inmate as provided for in the preceding section and all
monies received by him from any source shall be
deposited in the Trust fund provided for the purpose.
 Withdrawal of earnings – the inmate may, at any
time, withdraw from his compensation earnings in an
amount not exceeding ½ of his total earnings.
However, in cases of urgent need and at the discretion
of the Superintendent, the whole of his earnings may
be withdrawn. But he may, at anytime, withdraw any
part or all monies receive from other source.
 Payment of trust deposit amount to release inmate
– upon the inmates discharge from the prison he shall
be given the full balance of his deposit.
 Time Allowance for Good
Conduct and Loyalty
 Who may grant Good Conduct Time
Allowance (GCTA) – the Director (amended as
RA 10592) may grant a GCTA to an inmate who
displays good behaviour and who has no record
of breach of discipline or violation of prison rules
and regulations.
 Effects of GCTA – the good conduct or behaviour of an
inmate shall entitle him to the following deduction from
the period of his sentence;
 During the first 2 years of imprisonment, he shall be
allowed a deduction of 5 days for each month of
good behaviour;
 During the 3rd to 5th year, inclusive, of his
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of 8
days for each month of good behaviour;
 During the following years until 10th year, inclusive of
his imprisonment, he shall be allowed deduction of 10
days for each month of good behaviour; and
 During the 11th and successive years of his
imprisonment, he shall be allowed a deduction of 15
days for each month of good behavior.
 Computation of GCTA – calendar months and years
are considered reference to sentences and time served,
while 30 days constitute a month in computing GCTA
credits.
 GCTA of a Detainee – a detainee shall only be granted
GCTA if he voluntarily offers in writing to perform such
labor as may be assigned to him. In such case, the
credit he may receive shall be deducted from sentence
as may be imposed upon him if he is convicted.
 GCTA of a life termer – an inmate sentenced to life
imprisonment shall not be granted GCTA while his
sentence is on appeal.
 Revocation of GCTA – GCTA once granted shall not
be revoked without just cause.
 Restoration of GCTA – the GCTA which an inmate
is deprived of because of misconduct may be
restored at the discretion of the Director upon the
recommendation of the Superintendent.
 Special time allowance for loyalty – a deduction of
1/5 of the period of his sentence shall be granted to
an inmate who, after evading service of his sentence
on the occasion of a disorder resulting from
conflagration, earthquake, explosion, or similar
catastrophe, or during a mutiny on which he has not
participated, gives himself up voluntarily to the
authorities within 48 hours following the issuance of
a proclamation announcing the passing away of
such calamity.
 RA 10592 (May 29,2013)
An Act Amending Art 29, 94, 97,
98 and 99 of Act No. 3815
Year of Good Behavior Days to be Deducted

1-2 years 20 days per month

3 -5 years 23 days per month

6-10 years 25 days per month

11 year and more 30 days per month

 At any time during the period of imprisonment, he shall be
allowed another deduction of 15 days, in addition to numbers
one to four hereof, for each month of study, teaching, mentoring
service time rendered.
 An appeal by the accused shall not deprive him of entitlement
to the above allowances for good conduct.
 A deduction of 1/5 of the period of his sentence shall be
granted to an inmate who, after evading service of his sentence
on the occasion of a disorder resulting from conflagration,
earthquake, explosion, or similar catastrophe, or during a
mutiny on which he has not participated, gives himself up
voluntarily to the authorities within 48 hours following the
issuance of a proclamation announcing the passing away of
such calamity. A deduction of 2/5 of the period of his sentence
shall be granted if he chose to stay in the place of his
confinement notwithstanding the existence of a calamity or
catastrophe enumerated.
 Inmate Communication

 Right to communicate – an inmate shall have the

right to communicate or correspond with persons and
organizations and to send and receive letters,
packages, books, periodicals and other materials that
can be lawfully sent by mail.
 Censorship of mail matter – all letters sent or
received by an inmate, as well as magazines, books,
periodicals, and all reading matters, shall be subject
to censorship to prevent the entry of contraband and
the entry or exit of information that may adversely
affect the security of the prison.
 Guidelines on censorship of mail matter – the sending
and receiving of mail by all inmates shall be governed by the
following guidelines:
 Inmate mail shall be secured until such time that the censors are
ready to examine them.
 Inmate mail shall be opened and searched by qualified, trained
and authorized personnel.
 Greeting cards shall be carefully examined and fillers of any kind
found therein shall be collected for laboratory examination.
 Photographs shall be marked on the reverse side and replaced in
the envelope.
 In censoring mail, prison slang, unusual nicknames and
sentences with double meaning shall be carefully studied and
deciphered.
 Letters passed by censors shall bear the censor’s stamp at the
top of each page and on the envelope. The letter shall be
replaced in the same envelope and resealed.
 The contents of an inmate’s mail shall be confidential and shall
not be discussed with other personnel.
 What may be censored – all letters containing
statements concerning the security or reputation of the
prison like escape attempts, smuggling/trafficking of
contraband or statements that may affect prison rules
and policies, shall be censored out. Any item or
correspondence or enclosure that does ot conform with
regulations or are detrimental to the security, good order
and discipline of the prison shall be confiscated and
submitted to the Superintendent for disposition.
 Collection and delivery of mail – the mail officer shall
collect and deliver mail matters on a daily basis, Monday
through Friday. An inmate shall be advised to claim his ,
if he fails to claim his letter within 24 hours after it is
received in prison.
 Expenses for special delivery of mail – inmates shall
be allowed to send letter by registered, certified, stamped
or special deliver at their expense.
 Sending of money – inmates may receive or send
money through the prison postal service under the
supervision and assintance of designated prison officers.
The mail officer shall issue a receipt in duplicate for the
amount enclosed in the inmate’s incoming letter and shall
deposit in the Trust fund described in section 6, chapter 3
of this Rules. The original receipt signed by the mail
officer shall be filed with the Trust fund officer and the
duplicate copy thereof shall be given to the inmate.
 Mail privilege of inmate under punishment – inmates
under disciplinary punishment shall be allowed full mail
privileges, unless his misconduct involves a serious
violation of mail regulations.
 Use of telephone – all offenders who demonstrate
good behavior shall earn one telephone call to an
authorized individual every 90 days. In such case, the
telephone call shall be monitored and shall have a
duration not exceeding 5minutes. When making the call,
the inmate shall identify himself as an inmate.
 Foreign inmates – inmates of a foreign nationality shall
be allowed to communicate with the diplomatic and
consular representative of the State of which he or she
is a national.
 Stateless inmates – a national of a state
without diplomatic or consular representation in
the country and a refugee or stateless person
shall be allowed to communicate with the
diplomatic authorities of the state which takes
charge of his or her interestsor any national or
international tasked to protect such person.
 Inmate Manuscript

 Definition of Manuscript – as used herein,

manuscript means fiction, nonfiction. Poetry,
music and lyrics, drawings and cartoons, and
other writing of a similar nature.
 Mailing of inmate’s manuscript – an inmate
may mail a manuscript as general
correspondence in accordance with existing
rules. He may not, however, circulate his
manuscript inside the prison.
 Limitations on an inmate’s accumulation of
manuscript material – the Superintendent
may limit, for housekeeping, fire-prevention, or
security reason, the amount of accumulated
inmate manuscript material.
Exercise of Religious Beliefs
and Practices
 Religious Freedom – the religious beliefs and moral
precepts of an inmate shall be respected
 Proselytizing – no prison official shall proselytize
inmates under his supervision or allow any inmate to
do so without the consent of the inmate concerned.
Reasonable opportunity and access shall be
provided to inmates requesting information about the
activities of any religion with whom they may not be
actually affiliated.
 Pastoral visits – an accredited priest, minister or pastor
may be allowed to hold regular service and to pay visits
in private to inmates of his religion at such hours as may
be prescribed by the Superintendent.
 Worship services – attendance by an inmate of
worship services and similar religious activities shall be
on voluntary basis.
 Sponsorship in a religious rite – a prison official,
employee or guard, or his wife and children, shall not act
as a sponsor or otherwise actively participate in any
religious rite or activity involving an inmate or a member
of the immediate family of an inmate.
 Privileged communication – all personal
communications of an inmate to a chaplain or priest
either as formal act of religion as a matter of
conscience, shall be treated as a privileged
communication. The chaplain or priest concerned shall
not be required to disclose said communications.
 Dietary requirements – inmates observing religious
feasts or celebrations may be given raw rations or
special diets in accordance with their beliefs. The cost
hereof shall be limited to the recommended daily per
capita.
 Marriage of Inmates and
Detainees
 Request to marry – an inmate or detainee who
wants to get married shall submit a written request
therefor with the Superintendent. The Superintendent
shall approve an inmate’s request to marry except
where a legal restriction to a marriage exists, or
where the proposed marriage presents a threat to the
security or good order of the prison, or the protection
of the public.
 Eligibility to marry – the request of an inmate or a
detainee to marry shall be approved provided the
inmate or detainee is eligible to marry and is mentally
competent; and the intended spouse has verified, in
writing, an intention to marry the inmate or detainee.
 Marriage expenses – all expenses of the marriage
e.g., marriage license, shall be paid by the inmate or
detainee, the intended spouse, the family of the
inmate or detainee, or other appropriate source
approved by the Superintendent. The Superintendent
shall not use the Bureau funds for an inmate marriage.
 Request to marry of a detainee – a request to marry
which is filed by a detainee shall include an
assessment of the legal effects of the marriage on his
pending criminal case
 Marriage ceremony, where solemnized – the
marriage ceremony of an inmate or detainee shall be
solemnized in prison.
 Solemnizing Officer – unless otherwise requested by
an inmate or detainee, the marriage shall be
performed by a chaplain of the Bureau.
 Presence of media – the Superintendent shall require
that a marriage at the prison be a private ceremony
conducted without media publicity.
 Prohibition against prison official acting as
sponsor – a prison official, employees or guard, his
wife or children, shall not as a sponsor or witness in
the wedding of an inmate.
 Visiting Rights
 Visiting rights – an inmate shall have the right to be
visited by his family and reputable friends at regular
intervals.
 Visitors list – the Superintendent shall compile and
maintain a list of persons named by the interview who
may visit the latter. The list may include the members
of the inmate immediate family such as his parents,
step parents, foster parents, brothers and sisters,
wife or husband and children. Upon the request of
the inmate, the list may include his grandparents,
aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins. Other visitors
may, after investigation, be included in the list if the
inmate will benefit from such contact.
 Visiting days and hours – an inmate may be visited
from Sundays to Thursdays from 9 am to 3pm. Visitors
shall not be allowed to stay overnight in prison. There
shall be no visits on Fridays and Saturdays.
 Limitation on visiting rights – the Director may limit
the length or frequency of prison visits as well as the
number of visitors to avoid overcrowding. Exceptions
may be granted after taking into account special
circumstances, such as the distance of travel of the
visitor and the frequency of the visits received by the
inmate.
 Visiting room – whenever practicable, a prison shall
have a visiting room which shall be as comfortable and
as pleasant as possible and equipped to meet the
needs of visitors, including children.
 Privacy of visits – prison guards shall supervise the
visiting area in an obtrusive manner. They shall not
eavesdrop on conversation or otherwise interfere
with the privacy of the inmate and his visitor.
 Conjugal visits – a male inmate may enjoy conjugal
visits from his spouse in prisons where there are
facilities therefore under such conditions as may be
prescribed by the Director.
 Visit of legal counsel – an inmate may be visited by
his legal counsel of record at reasonable hours of the
day or night.
 Violation of visiting rules – any circumvention or
violation of visiting rules by the inmate or his visitor
shall result in the suspension or deprivation of
visiting privileges and the initiation of disciplinary
action against the erring inmate.
 Inmate Grievance

 Inmate complaint center – to extend prompt,

efficient and timely services to the inmates, there
shall be an Inmate Complaints, Information and
Assistance Center in each prison compound. Which
shall be directly under the office of the
Superintendent.
 The center shall act on all written complaints that are
not palpably frivolous, as well as requests for
information and assistance of inmates, within 72
hours from receipt thereof.
 Inmate Council – there shall be an inmate council
composed of finally convicted inmates in every prison
which shall serve as an advisory body to the
Superintendent. The Superintendent shall provide a set
of qualifications, rules and regulations for membership
in the Council.
 Role of inmate-representatives in the Inmate
Council – the inmate-representatives of the Inmate
Council shall meet with the Superintendent or his
representative to discuss issues and matters affecting
the prison population. The inmate-representative shall
not be entitled to special privileges and shall not have
any authority over other inmates or participate in the
imposition of disciplinary measures, or otherwise
interfere with prison administrative functions.
 Pecuniary Aid to Inmates

 Pecuniary aid to inmates killed or injured in the

performance of duty – pecuniary aid shall be paid to
an inmate who is killed, injured or disabled while
preventing a prison riot, or jailbreak, or while in the
performance of duties required of hi, in any prison
industry and not due to his negligence.
 Amount of pecuniary aid - the amount of pecuniary
aid shall be fixed by the Director and approved by the
Secretary.
 When pecuniary aid is given – the pecuniary aid
shall be given to the injured or disabled inmate at
the time of his release or anytime during his
confinement if he so desires. If the inmate dies as
a result of the injury sustained by him, or from any
other cause prior to his release, payment shall be
made to his legal heirs, provided they are not the
offended parties or those caused the
imprisonment.
Discipline and Punishment of
Inmates
 Disciplinary controls, purpose – efforts shall be
made to instill in the minds of all inmates the
concept that self-disciplined is an essential
characteristics of a well-adjusted person.
 Guidelines on disciplinary control – disciplinary
controls on inmates shall be firm to ensure safety
and good order in prison. Breaches of discipline
shall be handled objectively, and sanctions shall
be executed with the firmness and justice.
 Due process accorded to an inmate – every
breach of discipline shall be reported to proper
authorities. The erring inmate shall be given due
process before he is punished. Ignorance of prison
rules shall not be countenanced or considered an
excuse for his non-observance.
 Prohibited Acts – the following acts shall subjects an
inmate to disciplinary action:
 Participating in illegal sexual acts or placing himself
in situations or behavior that will encourage the
commission of illegal sexual acts;
 Openly or publicly displaying photographs, picture,
drawings, or other pictorial representations of
persons engaged in sexual acts, actual or
simulated, masturbation, excretory functions or lewd
or obscene exhibition of genitals;
 Possessing articles which pose a threat to prison
security or to the safety and well-being of the
inmates and staff;
 Giving gifts, selling or engaging in barter with prison
personnel;
 Maligning or insulting any religious belief or group;
 Rendering personal services to or requiring personal
services from feloow inmate;
 Gambling
 Exchanging his uniform with another inmate or wearing
a uniform other than those officially issued to him;
 Using profane, vulgar or obscene language or making
loud or unusual noise of any kind;
 Loitering in the prison compound or reservation;
 Giving a gift or providing material or other assistance to
fellow inmates or to the prison administration in general.
 Engaging in any private work for the benefit of a prison officer or
employee;
 Controlling the activities of other inmates except in organizations or
groups recognized by prison authorities;
 Tattooing himself or allowing himself to be tattoed on any part of his
body. The removal or alteration of tattoos may only be performed by
a prison medical officer upon prior approval by the Superintendent;
 Disobeying legal orders of prison authorities promptly and
courteously;
 Threatening, orally or in writing, the life of any employee or prison
official;
 Possessing any communication device like cellular telephone, pager
or radio transceiver;
 Constructing, renovating or repairing, with personal funds, a prison
building or structure;
 Making frivolous or groundless complaints; and
 In general, displaying any behavior which might lead to disorder or
violence, or such other actions that may endanger the facility, the
 Punishment

 Board of discipline; composition – the Director shall

establish a Board of Discipline in each prison to hear
cases involving an inmate who violates prison rules. It
shall be presided over by the Assistant Superintendent.
 Procedure in disciplinary cases – the procedure in
handling cases shall be as follows:
 The written complaint or report of an aggrieved inmate or any
inmate or prison personnel having knowledge of any breach of
discipline by an inmate shall be filed with the office of the
Superintendent. The complaint or report shall be signed by the
complainant and shall describe the violation and the names of
possible witnesses.
 If the Superintendent, after initial investigation, finds
that the complaint or report is baseless, he shall order
its dismissal. Otherwise, he shall endorse the case to
the Board of Discipline for hearing.
 The Board of Discipline shall hold sessions as often as
necessary. It shall decide cases referred to it within 5
working days after the termination of hearings.
 The hearing shall be summary in nature and shall not
be bound by the technical rules of evidence.
 The inmate charged with the offense shall be allowed
to present evidence in the hearing.
 The decision of the Board of Discipline shall be subject
to review and approval by the Superintendent.
 A decision approved by the Superintendent shall be
final.
 Protection of inmate from institutional abuse – an
inmate shall be treated with respect and fairness by
prison employees. He shall be protected against the ff:
 The imposition of any cruel, unusual or degrading act
as a form of disciplinary punishment;
 Corporal punishment;
 The use of physical force by correctional officers,
except in cases where the latter act in self-defense, to
protect another person from imminent physical attack,
or to prevent a riot or escape;
 Deprivation of clothing, bed and bedding, light
ventilation, exercise, food or hygienic facilities; and
 Forced labor.
 Imposable punishment – the Board of Discipline shall
be authorized to impose any of the following
disciplinary measures on an errant inmate:
 Caution or reprimand
 Cancellation of recreation, education, entertainment
and visiting privileges.
 Deprivation of GCTA for a specific period
 Change of security status to the next higher category
e.g. from medium to maximum.
 Confinement in disciplinary cell – if the above
corrective measures prove to be ineffective, an
obstinate inmate may be punished by confinement in a
disciplinary cell from 1 to 2 months depending upon
the gravity of the offense committed.
 This punishment shall only be meted out if the prison
medical officer, after examination, certifies that the
inmate is fit to undergo the same or will not adversely
affect his physical or mental health.
 Mitigation punishment – for the first disciplinary
offense, and if the inmate’s conduct justifies it, the
Superintendent may mitigate, suspend or modify the
penalty imposed on an inmate.
 Release from disciplinary cell – the prison medical
officer shall visit periodically the inmate in the
disciplinary cell and shall advice the Superintendent if
the punishment should be terminated on grounds of
physical or mental health.
 Use of instruments of restraint – instruments of
restraint, such as handcuffs and strait jackets, shall
not be applied as punishment. They shall only be used
as:
 to prevent an escape during an inmate’s transfer or
movement; or
 To prevent an inmate from harming himself or
others, or from destroying public or private property.
 Limitation on punishment to be imposed on
female inmate – a female inmate shall not be
subjected to disciplinary measures which might
adversely affect her unborn or nursing child.
 Disciplinary punishment to form part of record
of an inmate – the penalty imposed by the Board
of Discipline shall form part of the carpeta and
prison record of an inmate.
 Inmate Interview

 Request for inmate interview – a representative of media may

file a written request with the Superintendent for a personal
interview of an inmate. The request shall be filed at least 3 days
before the proposed interview.
 Notification and consent of inmate to be intervi

ewed – the Superintendent shall notify

the inmate sought to be interviewed of the request and shall
obtain from said inmate a written consent for interview.
 Prerequisite to approval of request – as a
prerequisite to approving a request for the interview of
an inmate, the media representative or news
organization shall give the prison administration the
opportunity to respond to comments made by the
inmate in the interview and to release information to
the news media relative to the inmate’s comments.
 Action on request for interview – the Superintendent
shall act on the request for interview within 24hours
from receipt thereof, provided that a request to
interview an NBP or CIW inmate shall require the
favourable recommendation of the Director and the
approval of the Secretary.
 Denial of request for interview – the Superintendent may
deny the request for interview in any of the following
instructions:
 The media representative, or news organization making the
request does not agree to abide by the conditions under these
Rules or by the Superintendent for the conduct of the interview.
 The inmate is physically or mentally unable to participate. This
must be supported by prison medical officer’s statement (a
psychologist may be used to verify mental incapacity).
 The inmate is below 18 years old and written consent has not
been obtained from the inmate’s parent or guardian.
 The inmate is the accused or is otherwise involved in a pending
criminal case.
 The interview, in the opinion of the Superintendent, will endanger
the health or safety of the interviewer, or would probably cause
serious unrest or disturb the good order of the prison.
 Interviews, where and when held – the interviews of an
inmate shall be conducted during normal visiting hours in
a place to be designated by the Superintendent.
 Limitations on Media – the Superintendent may limit
the number of audio, video and film equipment or the
number of media personnel entering the prison if he finds
that their entry will create a disruption inside the prison.
 Filming of Interview – if photographs or film video
footage will be taken during the interview, the inmate
concerned shall be in proper uniform and no frontal shots
of the inmate or interior shots of prison buildings and
dormitories shall be taken.
 Waiver of liability – before an interview, the
interviewer shall execute a waiver exempting prison
authorities from any liability arising from death or any
injury sustained while inside the prison.
 Non-payment of inmate who is interviewed –the
inmate who is interviewed may not receive monetary
compensation or anything of value for media
interviews which he may give.
 Interview of death convict – television, radio and
other media interviews of a death convict is
prohibited.
Rehabilitation and Treatment
of Inmates
 Conduct of rehabilitation and treatment programs –
the Bureau shall undertake rehabilitation programs to
help an inmate lead a responsible, law abiding and
productive life upon release.
 Efforts shall be made to ensure optimum balance
between the security of the prison and the
effectiveness of treatment programs.
 Inmate and public safety, and the requirements for
effective custody, shall, however, take precedence
over all other activities at all times and shall not be
compromised.
 Rehabilitation and treatment programs –
rehabilitation and treatment programs shall focus on
providing services that will encourage and enhance
the inmate’s self-respect, self-confidence, personal
dignity and sense of responsibility.
 Guidance for rehabilitation and treatment
programs – the following guidelines shall be
observed in the establishment of rehabilitation and
treatment programs for inmates:
 Corrective and rehabilitation services shall include religious
guidance; psychotherapy; socialization; health and
sanitation; vocational training; mental, physical and sports
development; and value formation and education.
 Programs and activities for offenders with special
needs and shall be placed under the supervision of a
social welfare officer in coordination with other
correctional officers with special skills and specialized
training.
 A regular calendar of activities shall be observed.
 The Superintendent shall be periodically informed
being implemented.
 There shall be a special wing for neuro-psychiatric
patients in prison hospital to be placed under the
special supervision of a medical officer. The latter
shall submit a weekly report on the patients therein
and may recommend the necessary transfer of a
mental patient to a better-equipped government
hospital.
 Inmate Services

 Inmate services - as part of the prison

rehabilitation and treatment program, the inmate
shall be guaranteed access to health, educational,
religious and related rehabilitation services.
 Health services – health care and services shall
be given to inmates similar to those available in
the free community and subject to prison
regulations. A prison shall have at least 1 qualified
medical doctor and a dentist.
 Medical consultation and visiting hours – medical
consultation and visiting hours shall be established by
the Superintendent in consultation with the medical staff.
 Basic guidelines on medical consultations – the
following guidelines shall be observed whenever an
inmate visits a prison hospital/clinic for consultation
and/or treatment:
 The inmate shall be in proper uniform during consultations.
 He shall be attended to on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
 The number of inmates allowed at the hospital/clinic for
consultation/treatment shall depend on the number of available
doctors.
 An inmate shall be subjected to a body search upon entering
and leaving the prison/clinic.
 In emergency cases, only the medical staff and the
patient shall be allowed inside the emergency room.
 An inmate shall not loiter in the hospital/clinic or leave
the same without permission from the medical staff.
 Visitors of inmates shall not be allowed to stay inside
the hospital/clinic to attend to the sick inmate without
the permission of the prison medical staff.
 Children below 12 years of age shall not be allowed
to stay inside a hospital ward or treatment room.
 Patients in the hospital shall not be required to stand
for checking.
 Pregnant CIW inmates – in the CIW, there shall be
special accommodations for pregnant women.
Whenever practicable, however, arrangements shall
be made for children to be born in a hospital outside
the prison.
 Infant born to a CIW inmate – an infant born while the
mother is serving sentence in the CIW may be allowed
to stay with the mother for a period not exceeding 1
year. After the lapse of said period, if the mother of the
inmate fails to place the child in a home of her own, the
Superintendent shall make arrangements with the
Department of Social welfare and Development or any
other social welfare agency for the infant’s care. As far
as practicable, the CIW shall have a nursery staffed
by qualified personnel.
 Recommendation for release of seriously-ill inmate
– the prison medical officer shall visit all sick inmates
daily and attend to those who complain of any ailment.
He shall render a report to the Superintendent
whenever he considers that an inmate’s mental or
physical health has been or will be injuriously affected
by continued imprisonment or any condition of
confinement.
 Notification of kin of sick or dead inmate –
whenever an inmate is critically ill or dies, the prison
medical officer shall report the matter to the
Superintendent who in turn shall notify the inmate’s
family by the fastest means of communication
available.
 Meals in hospital/clinic – meals shall be served in a
prison hospital/clinic at the same time that food is
served to the other inmates, unless directed otherwise
by the prison medical officer. Inmates assigned to work
in the hospital/clinic shall be provided with food rations
coming from the General Kitchen.
 Referral of inmate for outside medical
consultation/treatment – an inmate who needs
medical treatment or examination that cannot be
provided in the prison hospital may be referred to a
hospital/clinic outside the prison for the needed
examination, treatment or hospitalization. The
expenses for the outside medical referral shall be borne
by the inmate. During said referral, the inmate shall e
accompanied by a member of the prison’s medical
staff.
 Medical certification – the outside medical
examination, treatment or hospitalization of an
inmate shall be supported by a certification of the
prison medical officer or if there is none, by a
government physician, which shall specify the exact
ailment of the inmate, the treatment or examination
required, the duration of the hospitalization that may
be required, and shall certify that the ailment cannot
be properly attended to in the prison hospital.
Provided, that in the case of an NBP or CIW inmate,
the request for outside medical referral shall be
forwarded by the Director to the Secretary for
approval at least 1 day before the proposed referral.
 Referral to government hospital – unless
absolutely necessary, an inmate shall be referred to
a government clinic, hospital or institution for the
required examination, treatment or hospitalization. If
the referral is made to private institution, the
expenses incident thereto shall be borne by the
inmate.
 Outside referral for dental work – except in
emergency cases, no dental work for a inmate shall
be done outside the prison, and in cases of
restoration work, expenses shall be borne by the
inmate.
 Donations of human organ; form of donation – the
Director may authorize an inmate to donate to a licensed
physician, surgeon, known scientist or any medical or
scientific institution, including eye banks, and other similar
institutions, any organ, part or parts of his body and to
utilize the same for medical, surgical or scientific
purposes, of said organ, or body part or parts which, for a
legitimate reason, would be detached from the body of the
grantor, subject to the following conditions:
 The organ or body part or parts being donated shall be
detached after the death of the inmate;
 The authorization to detach or use the organ or body part or
parts shall be in writing; specify the person or institution
granted the authorization, the organ, part or parts to be
detached, the specific use or uses of the organ or body part or
parts to be employed; and shall by the inmate and attested by
two disinterested witness.
 The donation is approved by the proper court.
 Disposition of cadaver of deceased inmate - unless
claimed by his family, the body of an inmate who dies
in prison may be turned over to an institution of
learning, or any scientific research center designated
by the Secretary, for the purpose of study and
investigation, provided that such institution shall
provide a decent burial of the remains. Otherwise, the
Bureau shall order the burial of the body of the inmate
at government expense, granting permission to the
members of the family and friends of the inmate to be
present thereat. If the body is claimed by the family, all
expenses incident to the burial shall be at the expense
of the family.
 Burial of convict – in no case shall the burial of a convict be
held with pomp.
 Adult education – all illiterate inmates shall attend adult
education classes. Literate inmates may attend classes
corresponding to their education level.
 Educational programs for inmates – a prison may offer any
or all of the following educational programs:
 Elementary education
 Secondary education program to prepare students to
successfully pass the required tertiary level qualification
examination and to receive a regular high school diploma.
A student will have completed the program when all the
credits required for a regular high school diploma from an
accredited institution have earned;
 College education; and
 Vocational training.
 Certificate of completion – the inmate shall be
issued a certificate/diploma upon successful
completion of an educational program or course.
The certificate shall form part of his prison record.
 Recreational and cultural activities – recreational
and cultural activities shall provide in all prisons for
the benefit of the mental and physical health of the
inmate.
 Inmate Organizations

 Purpose and scope – the Bureau shall allow

inmates to participate in approved inmate
organizations for recreational, social, civic, and
benevolent purposes.
 Application for recognition of an inmate
organization – an inmate may file a written
request for recognition of a proposed inmate
organization to the Superintendent.
 Approval of an inmate organization – the
Superintendent may approve an inmate organization
if he finds that:
 The organization has a constitution and bylaws
duly approved by its members; the constitutions
and bylaws must include the organization’s
purpose and objectives, the duties and
responsibilities of its officers, and the requirements
for activities reporting's and operational review; and
 The organization does not operate in opposition to
the security, goo order, or discipline of the prison.
 Supervision of inmate organization – the Assistant
Superintendent shall be responsible for monitoring the
activities of the prison’s inmate organizations.
 Dues – the inmate organization may not collect dues from its
members.
 Organizational activities – an officer of the inmate
organization must submit a written request for approval of an
activity to the Superintendent. Activities include, but are not
limited to, meetings, guest speakers, sports competitions,
banquets, or community programs. Activities may not include
fund-raising projects. The request must specifically include:
 Name of the organization;
 Nature or purpose of the activity;
 Date, time and estimated duration of the activity;
 Estimated cost, if any;
 Information concerning guest participation; and
 Other pertinent information requested by the Superintendent.
 Approval of activity – the Superintendent may approve
an activity of an inmate organization if the same:
 Does not conflict with scheduled inmate work or program
activities;
 Has confirmation of staff supervision;
 Can be appropriately funded when applicable; and
 Does not conflict with security, good order, or discipline of
the prison.
 Use of government funds for activity – when an
activity of an inmate organization requires the
expenditure of government funds, the Superintendent
ordinarily shall require reimbursement from non-inmate
participants, including civilian guest or members.
 Records of inmate organization – each inmate
organization shall be responsible for maintaining
accurate records of its activities.
 Suspension of activities of inmate organization – the
activities of an inmate organization may be suspended
temporarily by the Superintendent due to non-
compliance with Bureau rules and/or policies. The
inmate organization concerned shall be notified in
writing of the proposed suspension sanction and shall
have the opportunity to respond to the Superintendent.
Continued con-compliance with Bureau rules and/or
policies shall result in an increase in the severity of the
suspension sanction, and may include withdrawal of the
approval granted to the organization.
 Withdrawal of approval of an inmate organization
– the Superintendent may withdraw approval of an
inmate organization for reasons of security, good
order, and discipline of the prison, or for serious or
continuous violation of prison rules and/or policies.
 Funding of activities – the bureau may fund
approval activities of inmate organizations or
organization requests for purchase of equipment or
services for all inmates subject to the availability of
funds.
 Release of Inmate
 Basis for release of an inmate – an inmate may be
released from prison;
 Upon the expiration of his sentence;
 By order of the court or of competent authority; or
 After being granted parole, pardon or amnesty.
 Who may authorize release – the following are
authorized to order or approve the release of inmates:
 The Supreme Court or lower courts, in cases of acquittal or
grant of bail;
 The President of the Philippines, in cases of executive
clemency or amnesty;
 The Board of Pardons and Parole, in Parole cases; and
 The Director, upon the expiration of sentence of the inmate.
 Approval by Director of release – an inmate shall only be
released by the Superintendent with the approval of the
Director.
 Verification of identity of inmate to be released – before an
inmate is released, he shall be properly identified. His
fingerprints and other identification marks shall be verified with
those which were taken when he was admitted in prison, and
change in his distinguishing marks since admission.
 Documentary basis for release – an inmate shall not be
released on the basis of authority relayed through telegram or
telephone. Inmates to be released by reason of acquittal, dismissal
of the case, the filing of bond or payment of indemnity shall only be
released upon receipt by the Superintendent of a written order
bearing the seal of the court and duly signed by the clerk of court or
by judge thereof. The release order shall bear the full name of the
inmate, the crime charged, the number of the case, and such other
details as will enable the releasing officer to properly identify the
inmate to be released.
 Prompt release of inmate – an inmate shall be released
without delay. However, before releasing an inmate who
is suffering from a communicable disease or mental
derangement, and who cannot defray the expenses of
his treatment, the Superintendent shall take the
necessary steps to arrange for the follow-up treatment of
the inmate in an appropriate government institutions.
 Release of foreign national – the Director shall notify
the Commissioner of Immigration of the release of an
inmate who is a foreign national. At least 30 days before
the approximate date of release, the Director shall
furnish the Commissioner with certified copies of the
court decision in the case of the alien inmate, a synopsis
of his record, and the expected date of release.
 Release of inmate with pending case – if the inmate
to be released has a pending criminal case, the Director
shall inform the court where the case is pending of the
inmate’s discharge from prison at least 30 days before
the actual date of release. In the proper case, the
Director shall turn over the inmate to the proper court
where the inmate has a pending criminal case for
disposition.
 Prohibited release of inmates before and after
election – the Director shall not order or allow an
inmate to leave prison 60 days before and 30 days
after an election except for valid or legal reason.
 Separation and Placement Center – an inmate shall, 30
days before his scheduled date of release, be transferred
to the Separation and Placement Center to prepare him for
re-entry into free society, provided he is not under
punishment or an escape risk, and is cleared of his
government property accountability.
 Pre-release seminar – all inmates eligible for release
shall undergo a one-day seminar in preparation for his life
outside prison.
 Assistance to inmate to be released – upon release of
the inmate, he shall be supplied by the Bureau with
transportation to his home, including a gratuity to cover the
probable cost of subsistence en route, and if necessary, a
suit of clothes.

 Transmittal of carpeta and prison records – in
executive clemency and parole cases, the Director shall
forward the carpeta and prison record of an inmate to
the Board within the ff periods:
 For commutation of sentence – at least 1 month
before the expiration of 1/3 of the minimum period of
the inmate’s indeterminate sentence and in special
cases, at least 1 month before the period specified by
the Board.
 For conditional pardon – at least 1 month before the
expiration of ½ of the minimum period of the inmate’s
indeterminate sentence and in special cases, at least
1 month before the periods as the board may specify.
 For parole – at least 1 month before the expiry date
of his minimum sentence.
 Organization of Bureau
Responsibilities and Duties of
Correctional Official
 Director and Assistance Director of the Bureau
– the bureau is headed by the Director of
Corrections who is assisted by 2 Assistant
Directors, one Administration and Rehabilitation
and 1 for Prisons and security. The Director and
Assistant Directors of the Bureau shall be
appointed by the President of the Philippines upon
recommendation of the Secretary.
 Functions of Director – the Director shall have the following
functions:
 Act as adviser of the Secretary on matters relating to the
formulation and execution of penal policies, plans, programs,
and projects.
 Administer and execute the laws relating to prisons and its
inmates and enforce the rules and regulations governing the
operations and management of prisons.
 Exercise administrative supervision of prions;
 Recommend to the board of pardons and parole inmates
who are qualified for the grant of parole, pardon and other
forms of executive clemency.
 Exercise supervision and control over the constituent units
and personnel of the Bureau; and
 Issue directives and instructions in accordance with laws,
rules and regulations that will effectively and efficiently
govern the activities of the Bureau and its personnel.
 Functions of Assistant Director – the assistant
director shall have the following functions;
 Assist the Director in the formulation and
implementation of the Bureau’s objectives and
policies;
 Coordinate and ensure the economical, efficient
and effective administration of the programs
and projects of the Bureau.
 Assume the duties of the Director in the latter’s
absence; and
 Performs such other function as may be
assigned by the Director.
 Organizational Structure of
Bureau
 The Bureau shall carry out its functions through the
following prisons and administrative divisions;
 Prisons (7 Prison and Penal Farm)
 Staff offices
 Administrative Division
 Management Division
 General Services Division
 Accounting Division
 Supply Division
 Budget and Finance Division
 Medical Coordinator’s Office
 Legal Office
 Reception and Diagnostic Center
 Medical officer of a prison and penal/regional prison –
there shall be a prison medical officer who shall
inspect/supervise the following:
 Quantity, quality, preparation and serving of food
rations of inmates;
 Hygiene and cleanliness of the prison and its
surroundings;
 Sanitation, lighting and ventilation of the prison; and
 Observance of the rules concerning physical education
and sports.
Note: Mass Service Unit is the one responsible for
serving of food in BJMP’s.
 Social worker – a prison shall have a licensed social
worker who shall conduct social case studies and referral
services and engage in volunteer resource development
activities. He shall assist in the implementation of
rehabilitation programs of inmates and shall maintain
updated information on the results of the treatment
program being implemented for individual inmates.
 Chaplaincy service – there shall be a prison chaplaincy
service which shall promote religious education, worship
services, guidance and counselling as well as the
organization of religious volunteer groups. The service
shall, as far as practicable, ensure compliance with the
specific requirements such as dietary restrictions, medical
treatment, work assignment and other ethical beliefs and
practices of a particular religion or faith.
 Duties of Chaplains – all chaplains, regardless of faith
orientation, shall minister as an effective pastoral team to
an entire inmate population. They shall, among others,
have the following duties and responsibilities:
 Provide individual and personal counselling;
 Lead worship and prayer gatherings of his or her own faith
traditions;
 Supervise religious inmate services and meetings; and
 Respond to identified spiritual and religious needs of
inmates.
 Recognition of Religious group – a religious group
which has a sufficient number of members as determined
by the Superintendent shall be allowed to have a qualified,
appointed representative to the chaplaincy. Qualified
religious representatives shall be encouraged and to hold
pastoral visits and services in the prisons.
 Release of information – the superintendent shall
promptly make announcements to media of unusual,
newsworthy incidents such as escapes and institution
emergencies. Upon request, he may provide the following
information about an inmate:
 Name
 Prison number
 Place of confinement
 Age
 Conviction and sentencing data: this includes the
offense(s) for which convicted, the court where
convicted, the date of sentencing, the length of
sentence(s), the date of expiration of sentence, and
previous convictions.
 Press pools – the superintendent may establish a press pool
whenever the frequency of requests for interview reaches a
volume that warrants limitations. In such a case, the
Superintendent shall notify all media representatives who have
requested interviews or visits that have not been conducted.
Selected media representative may be admitted to prison as a
pool to conduct the interviews under the specific guidelines
established by the Superintendent.
 Composition of press pool – the members of the press pool
shall be selected by their peers and shall consist of not more
that 2 representatives from each of the following groups:
 The national and international services;
 The television and radio networks and outlets; and
 The news magazine and newspaper.
If no interest is expressed by one or more of these groups, no
representative from such group need be selected.
All news materials generated by a press pool shall be made available to
media without right of first publication or broadcast.
 Duties of Members of
Custodial Force
 Correctional objectives – in the performance of
their duties, prison officers and guard shall observe
the following objectives:
 The social re-orientation of the inmates for
successful participation in modern community life
after release; and
 Their vocational rehabilitation in order that they
may exist as self-sustaining members of the
community where they may reside, whatever
limiting factors their status as ex-inmates may be.
 Duties of custodial officers – to carry out the objectives
mentioned above, custodial officials and guard shall perform the
following duties:
 Superintendent
 He is charged with the supervision of the entire prison.
 He shall strictly enforce all laws and rules and regulations relation
to prisons.
 He shall be responsible to the Director for the management of the
prison, the safe custody of inmates, the proper care of all prison
buildings and other properties, and the economical and proper
expenditure and use of prison funds and materials.
 He shall utilize the labor of al inmates to serve the best interest of
the public service. He shall promote the useful employment and
industrial training of inmates.
 He shall report promptly in writing to the Director any escape, or
any attempt or preparation to escape, the discovery or
confiscation of dangerous tools from an inamte, fires, accidents,
or any important occurrence.
 He shall observe the conduct of the prison officers and guards
and require faithful execution of their duties.
 He shall immediately report to the Director any irregularity or
misconduct of a prison official or guard and if warranted,
investigate and proceed administratively against an errant
official or guard in accordance with Civil service Law, rules and
regulations.
 He shall look after the health and well-being of prison officers
and guards.
 He shall reside in the quarters assigned to him and shall not
stay out overnight unless the Assistant Superintendent is
present.
 He shall receive all reports and complaints of prison officials,
guards and inmates and forward the same without delay to the
Director with his comments and recommendations.
 He shall maintain all times control over the inmates, and to
permit no disobedience. He shall comport himself so as to
maintain a positive influence over them, which, whenever the
occasion may require, he shall exert by his personal presence.
 He shall see to it that all inmates are treated with strict
impartiality.
 He shall allow visits to inmates in accordance with prison rules
and regulations and general orders and shall endure that
proper entries concerning the visitors are made in the
prescribed book.
 He shall give all necessary directions for the reception and
release of inmates.
 He shall pay attention to the illumination ventilation, drainage,
water supply and sanitary condition of the prison and take such
measures as maybe necessary for their being maintained in
perfect order
 The Assistant Superintendent
 He is the officer next in authority to the Superintendent and shall
be responsible to the Superintendent for the discipline and
cleanliness of his division.
 He shall discharge the duties of the Superintendent during the
absence of the latter.
 He shall see to it that prison regulations and orders are carried
out and that due order and disciplined are enforced.
 He shall act as Chairman of the Board of Officers in the hearing
of administrative cases against prison employees and guards.
 He shall ensure that guards are properly dressed and armed
before going to their posts.
 He shall give constant attention to the security of the prison.
 He shall see to it that subordinate officials and guards perform
their respective duties and that they are acquainted with the
special order pertaining to each post.
 He shall detail any officer or guard on a post to perform any other
duty which may be required from time to time.
 He shall supervise the search for contraband and assure himself
that the prison is secure.
 He shall visit all inmates under observations or locked up for
punishment at least twice a day and make sure that any special
instruction in regard to said inmates is carried out fully.
 He shall investigate any report or complaint made by a keeper or
a guard or an inmate and report the matter immediately to the
Superintendent.
 He shall inform the Superintendent of all matters relating to the
prison if he has dealt with them himself. Nothing shall considered
as trivial.
 He shall instruct, when necessary, all custodial officers and
guards in any post on their duties.
 He shall be the medium of communication between the custodial
officers and guards and the Superintendent and shall bring the
attention of the Medical Officer to any inmate whom he consider to
be sick or of unsound mind.
 Chief Overseer
 He shall supervise keepers in their respective departments, and inspect
all prison wards and cells under his supervision, ascertaining and
requiring of the keepers, at all times, to comply strictly with heir
assigned duties. He shall promptly report in writing to the
Superintendent any observed delinquency or instance of neglect on the
part of the keeper.
 He shall keep a record of inmates assigned to the different departments,
showing the brigade or cell in which each is confined, the shop or place
where the inmate is working, the date of entrance into prison for
confinement, the sentence, the date of sentence, the crime and such
other information as he may be directed by the Superintendent to
secure.
 He shall see to it that the morning and evening counts of inmates by the
keepers are promptly and correctly made.
 He shall see to it that all keepers, upon their entrance into the prison for
duty, are in the prescribed uniform.
 He shall keep a record of the assignment of inmates in confinement.
 He shall record all breaches of discipline committed by an inmate.
 In the NBP, he shall select qualified inmates for assignment to a prison
 Guard
 A guard shall live in the quarters within the prison reservation to which he is assigned,
unless special permission is granted by the Director or the Superintendent to reside
elsewhere. He shall occupy the quarters assigned for his use and that of his family, and it
shall be their duty to see that their quarters are kept in a clean orderly condition.
Unmarried guards or bachelors shall reside in the guards' quarters.
 No one shall be allowed to enter the guards' quarters unless his duties require him to do
so and those entering the same shall conduct themselves so as not to disturb the guards
therein.
 A Guard shall be a.) vigilant; b.) comply strictly with his orders; and c.) perform his duties
promptly. Failure to observe these requisites shall be cause for disciplinary measures.
 There shall be three (3) shifts for guards with each guard having a tour of duty of eight (8)
hours. One-third (1/3) of the guards in each shift shall be detailed on reserve duty for a
period of eight (8) hours prior to entrance to duty. The guard on reserve shall stay in the
Administration Building ready for any call.
 He shall be responsible for the serviceable condition of the equipment in his possession
as well as for all government property belonging to the post. Firearms shall be kept clean,
well-oiled and in perfect condition.
 A list of all properties for which guards are responsible shall be placed in the tower posts.
A relief guard upon entering into duty shall check if all such properties are being turned
over and that they are serviceable. Any deficiency shall be immediately reported to the
inspector on duty who, in turn, shall request the property office or the armorer to replace
the unserviceable or missing property.
 Keeper
 He shall be responsible for the locking of inmates in his brigade. He shall keep a correct
count of the inmates in his brigade or cells and promptly report any absentees found at the
morning or evening counts to the Chief Overseer, who shall in turn report the same to the
Superintendent.
 He shall have the flooring of his brigade scrubbed at least twice a week and that of the
bottom landing, daily.
 He shall ensure that all cells are clean and that the toilets and bathrooms are thoroughly
scrubbed and cleaned everyday.
 He shall exercise utmost diligence in searching for contraband articles. Nothing must be
overlooked nor taken for granted as correct.
 He shall examine all belts, bars, locks and doors of the brigade and satisfy himself as to
their security.
 He shall be under the direct supervision of the Chief Overseer and the Officer of the Day
and the Inspector on Duty.
 He shall superintend the policing of brigades and parts of the prison yard which are in the
immediate vicinity of his brigade.
 He shall enter in the book provided for the purpose any breach of discipline by an inmate. If
the violation is serious or repeated after the inmate had been warned, he shall immediately
report the same to the Officer of the Day.
 He shall make an hourly inspection of the brigade and cells under his charge and shall not
allow an inmate to remain therein during working hours unless assigned to work therein as
room orderlies or when directed to remain by proper authority.
 He shall supervise the proper and equitable distribution of food to the inmates in a brigade.
 Yard Guard
 He shall see to it that the work assigned to inmates occupying the yards
is properly performed.
 He shall see to it that the yards are clean and in sanitary condition, and
that all conveniences and facilities are in order.
 He shall pay particular attention to yards occupied by inmates under
training, drilling or performing a special work assignment.
 When necessary to unlock any yard gate or door, he must not leave the
gate or door until he has locked it again.
 He shall keep the area under his charge free from any pieces of iron or
any scrap material that may be used as deadly weapons by inmates.
 He shall keep a close watch of inmates within his line of vision and
promptly report any untoward event or suspicious movement of inmates
to the nearest officer.
 Gate Guard
 He shall always be mindful of the importance of his post and strictly discharge his
assigned duties.
 He shall never open the gate until he has ascertained the identity of the person
seeking admission and assures himself that the person has been authorized to enter.
 He shall open and close a gate or door as quietly as possible.
 He shall keep a correct record of all persons who pass through the gate including the
officers of the prison, and also a record of all visitors and the period they remained
inside the compound.
 He shall enter all articles received at the gate in the book provided therefor and shall
satisfy himself that no contraband is allowed entry.
 At the control gate, the front door shall never be opened while the other door is open
or vice versa.
 He shall not allow an inmate, even one due for release, to pass through that gate
unless authorized by the Officer of the Day.
 He shall not allow firearms of any kind to enter the prison. Firearms of prison officers
and employees, as well as visitors, shall be kept or deposited at the entrance gate.
 He shall see to it that all inmates are properly searched in going in or out of the
prison.
 He shall see that all official visitors sign the visitor's book. Should any visitor refuse to
sign the visitor's book, the visitor shall not be allowed entry. He shall immediately
report the incident to the Officer of the Day for disposition.
 Guards at the Main Gate or Outpost
 He shall closely observe civilians entering the prison reservation, make inquiries
as to the purpose of their visit.
 He shall see to it that all civilians coming in during visiting days are thoroughly
searched and that they are not armed. He shall seize and issue receipts for all
contraband and prohibited articles found in their possession.
 He shall enter in the log book the names of officers and employees going in and
out of the reservation, and indicating therein the exact time of their departure and
arrival.
 He shall check carefully all trip tickets of prison vehicles, as well as the passes
corresponding to the number of inmates being brought out under guard.
 Gate officers may refuse entry to any vehicle if they believe the occupants do not
have a legitimate purpose in visiting the area or if the vehicle contains cargo that
pose security risks
 Pointers for All Guards
 A guard shall observe the provisions of Republic Act No. 6713, otherwise known as
the "Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees" and
its implementing rules.
 He shall familiarize himself with the provisions of this Manual and shall conduct
himself in accordance with its provisions and precepts. He shall understand the limits
of his authority and responsibilities. In case of doubt, he shall consult his immediate
supervisor.
 A guard shall execute an appropriate hand salute and address as "Sir" the following
officers of the Bureau: Director, Assistant Director; assistants to the Director,
Executive Officer, Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, Chiefs of Divisions,
Inspectors and Sergeants of the guard.
 He shall stand at attention and salute the National Colors or standards not cased, and
when the national anthem is played.
 He shall be neat in his appearance. If in uniform, the same shall be neat, well-
pressed, and worn smartly. When performing his duties outside the prison premises,
he shall be in complete and proper uniform and if traveling in uniform, shall display
utmost courtesy towards civilians. He shall have regulation hair cut.
 He shall read the prison bulletin board preferably before his tour of duty.
 He shall familiarize himself with the proper operation and maintenance of the firearm
and instruments of restraint he may be called upon to use.
 He shall not lend the firearm issued to him to anyone or borrow someone else's
firearm, except when authorized to do so.
 While on duty, he shall bring with him thirty (30) rounds of ammunition and must
not expend them unless absolutely necessary, or with permission from higher
authority.
 He must avoid unnecessary firing of his firearm.
 He shall immediately report to the armorer any loss or expenditure of ammunition,
loss or destruction of firearm or its accessories, or any government property issued
to him or under his charge.
 He shall beat the point of assembly at least five (5) minutes before the appointed
time of assembly. If he is late in the formation, he must report to the Officer-In-
Charge upon arrival and again, after dismissal.
 If he will be unable to report for duty, he shall report the same to the Sergeant or
Inspector of the Guard at least two (2) hours before the time of assembly.
 If the guard feels indisposed, he must immediately report to the prison hospital for
examination/treatment. If he will not be able to attend to his duties on account of
illness, he must secure a medical certificate to that effect and present it to the
proper authority at the first available opportunity
 Administrative liability of guard. — A guard
shall be liable to administrative disciplinary
action for acts punishable under the provisions
of this Manual, the Civil Service Law and its
implementing Rules and Regulations.
CUSTODIAL AND SECURITY
PROCEDURES
 Security conditions of confinement facility. —
All doors, bars, windows and locks of security
facilities shall be examined regularly to insure their
integrity and good condition. All prison personnel,
regardless of assignment, shall be responsible for
the security of prison facilities. They shall
immediately report any sign of defector
deterioration in the security system to their
immediate supervisor.
 Perimeter fences. — Maximum and medium
security compounds must maintain two parallel
security barriers or perimeter fences provided with
sufficient lighting fixtures to prevent escapes or jail
breaks. These shall be periodically inspected by
the general services division and the commander
of the guards. Electrified fences shall be equipped
with warning signs to avoid accidental injury to
both custodial personnel and visitors.
 Vehicle control. — Privately-owned vehicles of employees
and residents of a prison reservations shall be provided
with security tags or stickers for proper identification and
clearance at the entry and exit gates. All other
transportation must be checked for both passengers and
cargo.
 Vehicular access to prison compounds. — No privately-
owned vehicle shall be allowed access to a prison
compound except upon prior written clearance from the
Superintendent. All vehicles shall be checked at the inner
and outer gates upon entry and exit.
 Inmate head count. — A head count of inmates shall be
conducted four (4) times a day or as often as necessary to
ensure that all inmates are duly accounted for.
 Procedure for inmate count. — The procedure for
conducting a periodic physical head count of inmates shall
be as follows:
 a. During the count, the inmates shall not be allowed to
move until the count is completed.
 b. There must be a positive verification of an inmate's
presence. Counting an inmate as present on the basis of
seeing any part of his clothing, his hair, or shoes shall not
be made.
 c. A written report on the results of each head count shall
be submitted to the Chief Overseer.
 d. If the inmate count does not tally with the list of inmates,
the matter shall be immediately reported to the Chief
Overseer
 Location of armory. — The prison armory shall be located
outside of the main prison and the inmates's work/activity area.
 Security measures while serving/delivering meals. — If
meals are served in a dining room or similar facility, the
following security measures shall be observed:
 a. Inmates shall be marched in columns of two's along designated routes
under the supervision of one or two guards. Other guards may be
stationed along the route to direct the orderly movement of inmates to
and from the mess hall. HSCAIT
 b. A roving supervisor shall establish order in the dining room area.
 c. After meals, all eating and kitchen utensils of inmates shall be
collected and accounted. If meals are delivered inside the inmate's
cells/quarters, the guard shall not enter the cells/quarters to distribute
food unless another guard is available to handle the keys and control the
entrance door. If the food will be served by just one guard, the food shall
be served without unlocking the door if there is a danger of being
overpowered by the inmates. If there is no danger, the door may be
opened but the guard shall remain on alert.
 Visitor control; body search of visitors. — All visitors,
including prison personnel, shall be subjected to a
thorough body search and their belongings/packages
screened for contraband before entering the prison
compound. Women visitors shall be searched only by
female guards or employees.
 Filing of criminal/administrative charges. — Those
found with contraband hidden in their body or belongings
shall be barred from entering the prison compound and in
the proper cases, charged criminally/administratively
 Bringing out food and prison issue. — Visitors shall
not be allowed to bring out food or other articles issued
for the consumption or use of inmates.
 Control of prison keys. — Only the following shall be
authorized to possess the keys of prison gates, cells,
dormitories and hospital wards: a. Gate officer; b.
Officer-of-the-Day or Shift Commander; c. Keeper; and
d. Custodial or Medical Officer designated by the
Superintendent.
 SECURITY PROCEDURES DURING
EMERGENCIES, RIOTS, ESCAPES OR
MAJOR DISTURBANCES
 Emergency control center. — A prison shall establish a
Control Center to control, execute and monitor the proper
and timely implementation of detailed plans of action to
cope with emergency situations caused by fires or
conflagrations, riots or other violent disturbances, or
escapes. The Control Center shall be under the command
of the Superintendent or, in his absence, the Assistant
Superintendent, and in the latter's absence, the most
senior prison guard present.
 Riots and other prison disturbances. — In the event of
riots or other prison disturbances, all officials and
employees of the prison where the incident occurs shall
be placed on twenty-four (24)-hour alert to perform such
tasks as may be necessary to quell the disorder or
normalize the situation.
 Sounding of alarm. — Whenever a riot or escape alarm
is sounded, either by siren, bell or gun fire, all inmates
shall be ordered to lie flat on the ground, face down and
with arms and legs spread out. On such occasions, when
warnings are disregarded, the guards shall use
reasonable force to carry out the instructions.
 Procedure during riots and disturbances. — The following
procedures shall be followed in the case of riots and other
violent disturbances:
 a. At the sound of the first alarm, all inmates shall be locked up
inside their respective cells/quarters. An inmate work crew shall
be immediately returned to the prison compound or to
previously designated areas for accounting and confinement
after a head count;
 b. If the disturbance occurs during visiting hours, all visitors
shall be immediately ushered out of prison compound or if this
is not possible, brought to a pre-determined area inside said
compound. In the latter case, the visitors shall not be allowed to
leave said area or the compound until the disturbance has
ceased and the inmates have been properly accounted for.
 c. At the same time, all guards who are not on duty shall be directed to
immediately report to the Desk Officer. All critical posts shall be manned
to prevent escapes. The most senior guard present shall take command
of the custodial force and make assessment of the situation.
 d. All telephone calls to and from the prison compound shall be
controlled.
 e. The Armorer shall issue the necessary anti-riot equipment and
firearms.
 f. Based on his assessment of the prevailing conditions, the guard in
command shall deploy the guards into the following groups:
 1st Group — This is the initial wave of anti-riot assault contingent who shall be
armed with wicker shields, protective headgear, gas masks and night sticks or
batons, when these are available. The objectives of this group are to disperse the
rioters and get their leaders.
 2nd Group — This is the back-up force of the 1st Group who shall be equipped with
tear gas guns and gas grenades.
 3rd Group — This is composed of guards who are trained in the proper handling
and use of firearms. Under the direct command of the guard-in-charge, they shall
provide covering fire to the first two groups.
 g. When the three groups mentioned above are ready, the
guard-incharge shall direct the inmates to cease and desist, to
return to their respective cells and warn them of the
consequences if they do not obey. The known leaders, if
known, shall be addressed directly.
 h. If the inmates fail or refuse to heed the order to return to their
cells, the guard-in-charge shall sound the 2nd alarm.
Thereupon, the 1st Group shall enter into the prison compound
followed by the second group at a discreet distance. The third
group shall be in strategic position, ready to fire if the lives of
the guards in the 1st and 2nd Groups are endangered by overt
violent acts of the inmates.
 i. The 1st Group shall be tasked with quelling the riot and
getting the leaders of the rioting group. If they meet stiff
resistance, the head of the Group shall immediately order their
withdrawal.
 j. Thereafter, the guard-in charge shall order the 2nd Group to
fire tear gas on the inmates. When the area where the rioters
are found is saturated with gas, the 1st Group shall attack
using their batons to force the rioters into their cells and to get
the leaders. The use of pressurized water from the fire truck, it
any, may be resorted to.
 k. At the earliest opportunity, the guard-in-charge shall report
the prison disturbance to the nearest police station and to the
Director who shall in turn inform the Secretary.
 l. When the condition has become critical and the disturbance
has reached full intensity, the guard-in-charge shall cause the
sounding of the third alarm. At this instance, the Control Center
shall notify all Police agencies nearby for assistance and then
all other plans in connection with prison uprisings shall then be
executed. Nearby hospitals shall also be notified if the situation
demands.
 m. As an extreme measure to prevent mass jail break or
serious assault upon the members of the prison administration,
the selected marksman of the 3rd Group may be ordered by the
guard-in-charge to fire warning shots at the rioters. If the rioters
do not desist, the order to fire shall be given but only to aim
designated targets belonging to the rioting group.
 n. After the riot or disturbance, the following procedures shall
be followed:
 i. Administer first aid to the injured;
 ii. Conduct a head count;
 iii. Segregate ring leaders and agitators;
 iv. Assess and determine the damage to the facilities;
 v. Investigate the causes of the riot and prosecute the ringleaders and
other persons involved in the riot;
 vi. Repair the damage;
 vii. Adopt measures to prevent repetition of similar incidents; and
 viii. Submit a report on the incident to the Secretary
 Procedure during an escape or jailbreak. — The following
procedures shall be followed in the case of escapes or jail
breaks:
 a. When a jail break is in progress or has just occurred, the
Control Center shall immediately sound the alarm and the
Superintendent or the Commander of the Guards shall be
notified.
 b. At the first sound of the alarm, all inmates shall be locked in
their respective cells while those in work detail shall be
marched in orderly manner to their cells.
 c. All prison personnel who are not on duty shall report to the
prison immediately and make themselves available for
emergency deployment. The Armorer shall issue firearms to
members of the custodial force who shall be immediately
dispatched to strategic posts.
 d. A head count shall be made simultaneously in the different
cells/quarter of inmates to determine the identity of the
escapee. Prison personnel assigned to essential posts such as
the powerhouse, kitchen, hospitals, fire station, etc. shall also
make a head count of the inmates under their supervision and
report the results thereof to the Control Center.
 e. If the identity of the escapee is established, his name and
other personal circumstances shall be immediately flashed to
all units of the Philippine National Police in the vicinity.
 f. Radio and television stations and other news media shall also
be notified of the escape and, if possible, provided with
photographs of the escapee.
 g. A Recovery Team shall be formed by the Superintendent to
proceed to all known lairs, hangouts, residences and houses of
immediate relatives and friends of the escapee.
 h. In case of mass jail breaks, all members of the custodial force
shall be immediately issued firearms and assigned to critical posts
to seal off all possible escape routes while teams search the
prison premises. Prison personnel who are off-duty shall be
required to report for duty immediately.
 i. If any prison officer or employee is held hostage by the escapee,
reasonable caution to insure safety shall be taken. If it is the
Superintendent who is taken as hostage, the Assistant
Superintendent shall assume command.
 j. If no hostage was taken and the escapee is unable to leave the
prison premises but refuses to surrender to the prison authorities,
the basic plan for Riots or Disturbances shall be implemented.
 k. After the escape, the Superintendent shall conduct an
investigation relative to the escape to determine the liability of the
officer/employee under whose custody the inmate escaped. A
review of security procedures and an ocular inspection of the
prison facilities shall also be made to determine the existence of
any gaps or flaws. A report on the results of said review shall be
 Emergency plans for calamities etc. — Subject to the
available personnel and funding resources a prison shall
establish emergency plans in cases of power failure and
natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and other
calamities, The plans shall cover the specific roles of
prison personnel present, the alarm system to be used,
the emergency power units to be utilized and the kind of
security to be provided and such other matters as are
necessary to insure the safety and security of prison
personnel and inmates. Likewise, the plans shall also
include detailed procedures for the evacuation of inmates
in cases of floods, earthquakes and other calamities, if
such evacuation is necessary.
 Features of emergency plans. — Subject to the availability
of funds and equipment, emergency plans shall contain the
following basic elements or features:
 a. Fire
 i. A fire crew shall be formed consisting of prison personnel and
inmates chosen according to their security classification/behavior,
intelligence and aptitude. They shall man the prison fire truck, if any.
 ii. The inmates who are selected shall be housed separately from the
other inmates in close proximity to the Control Center and/or the fire
equipment and fire truck, if any. They may be issued special uniforms
for easy identification.
 iii. At the first sign of fire, the Control Center shall sound an alarm
either by means of a siren or a bell, and at the same time, notify the
fire department, police headquarters and other units that may help in
putting out the fire and/or evacuating inmates.
 iv. The person in-charge of the keys to the storage for firefighting
equipment, the emergency gates and gates of the different
cells/brigades, should distribute the keys to the responsible personnel
concerned.
 v. The fire crew shall immediately respond to the scene to put out the
fire while the other prison personnel shall station themselves according
to the plan.
 vi. All inmates in the affected area shall be required to help in putting
out the fire.
 vii. If there is a need to evacuate government records, supplies and
equipment, they should be evacuated to a safe place according to
priority and placed under proper guard.
 viii. If there is a need to evacuate the inmates, they shall be evacuated
in an orderly manner, using secure motor vehicles, if any or by any
other means that will bring them to pre-arranged buildings or detention
centers for their confinement. If the inmates are evacuated outside the
prison, they shall be secured by handcuffs or other instruments of
restraint.
 ix. When the all clear alarm is sounded, first aid shall be administered
to the injured inmates and a physical count of inmates shall be made.
Security check of the prison to determine the extent of the damage
shall also be done.
 x. If the security conditions allow, the evacuated inmates
shall be returned to the prison. Otherwise, they shall be
retained in the detention place where they were evacuated
or transferred to another penal establishment as the
Governor may decide.
 xi. A thorough investigation of the causes of the fire shall be
conducted by the Superintendent and the report thereon
submitted to the Governor and the local Fire Department.
 Fire prevention. — To prevent the occurrence of fire and to
minimize its effects if such has occurred, the following rules
shall be followed:
 a. Inmates shall be cautioned against the hazards caused by the
careless handling of lit cigarettes, inflammable materials, fuel, welding
equipment, etc.
 b. Fire extinguishers shall be placed in close proximity to all housing
units and located in strategic places in buildings, and work areas.
 c. Empty drums and cans shall be filled with water/sand and placed in
strategic places for ready use.
 d. Keys to emergency exits, cells, brigades and storage places of
firefighting equipment shall have distinct markings or tags, marked and
shall be accessible to the guards on duty.
 e. Portable floodlights shall, when available, be placed in the Control
Center in case of nocturnal fires.
 f. Government equipment shall be marked with tags or symbols for
easy identification and priority evacuation in case of a fire or other
emergency.
 Contingency plan. — In any major prison
disturbance, the Superintendent shall personally
take immediate control and implement a standing
contingency plan to repel the aggression and
stabilize the situation. Drills shall be conducted
from time to time to familiarize personnel with their
duties under said plan.
 ESCORT PROCEDURES

 Primary duties of escort guards. — Escort guards

shall exercise extreme caution at all times and shall to
see to it that the inmate does not —
 a. Escape;
 b. Converse with unauthorized persons;
 c. Obtain forbidden articles, especially intoxicants or
weapons;
 d. Annoy passersby; and
 e. Suffer harm or humiliation..
 SECTION 2. Distance of guard from inmates. — If
escorting a group of inmates, a guard shall keep a distance
of not less than ten (10) paces from his charge.
 Upon arrival at the destination, he shall station himself at a vantage
point where all the inmates are within sight and can be properly
controlled.
 When on board a ship or boat, the group of inmates shall be
positioned in the most secure part of the vessel and shall be
required to sit down.
 The guard shall station himself at strategic points where they can
effectively respond.
 An inmate shall not be allowed to stand up or move about until the
vessel is ready to dock, except when the guard needs to have a
clear view of the port and starboard passages
 Basic escort procedures. — An escort guard shall strictly
observe the instructions written at the back of the inmate's
pass and the purpose and destination of the escort mission.
These include, but not are limited, to the following:
 a. While in transit, the inmate shall not be allowed to stop
at any place or contact any person until the destination is
reached.
 b. The inmate shall at all times be placed under proper
restraint e.g. handcuffs. However, the same shall be
removed when the inmate enters the courtroom.
 c. The inmate shall be returned to the prison facility
immediately after the purpose of the pass has been
served.
 d. The use of a privately-owned vehicle in transporting an
inmate is prohibited.
 Escort procedures for court appearance. — In escort duties
for court hearing, the Superintendent shall provide at least two
(2) guards for every inmate. However, when two or more
inmates are to be escorted, the number of guards may be
reduced proportionately without sacrificing security
requirements. If an inmate is notorious or has a previous record
of escape, additional escort guards shall be assigned.
 SECTION 5. Appearance in Metro Manila Courts. — In
conducting NBP or CIW inmates for appearance in Metro
Manila courts, the escort detail shall be headed by a
supervising guard or by a senior officer.
 If the court concerned is in the suburbs of Metro Manila e.g.,
Cavite, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas, the escorts shall
return their wards to the NBP or CIW immediately after the
hearing.
 SECTION 6. Turnover of inmate to local jail. — A guard
assigned to escort an inmate for court hearings who
cannot return to the prison of origin on the same day shall
request the court to issue an order turning over the inmate
to the nearest provincial/city jail or police detention cell.
The escort guard shall not stay in a private dwelling or
hotel with the inmate.
 Acknowledgment of turnover of inmate. — Upon turning the
inmate over to an authorized officer at the destination, the
escort-in-charge shall secure an acknowledgment receipt for
the custody of the inmate. This shall clearly bear the name of
the receiving officer, his designation and the date and time the
inmate was received.
 SECTION 8. Postponement/resetting of hearing. — After the
hearing or if the scheduled hearing is postponed/reset to
another date, the inmate shall be returned to the prison of origin
without delay. If feasible, the escort-in-charge shall secure from
the court an order committing the inmate to the provincial/city
jail or other detention center.
 SECTION 9. Procedure if escort guard becomes sick. — If
the escort guard becomes sick, he shall notify the
Superintendent of the prison of origin thereof by the fastest
means available so that a replacement can be sent to continue
the mission.
 Fake or spurious subpoena. — If the subpoena received by
the prison turns out to be spurious, or if, in spite of a valid
subpoena, the scheduled trial is not held, the inmate shall be
immediately returned to the prison of origin. The escort-in-
charge shall submit a written report to the Superintendent on
the matter.
 SECTION 11. Certificate of appearance. — Immediately
after the trial but before leaving the court premises, the
escort-in-charge shall secure from the clerk of court a
certificate or other proof of appearance.
 Procedure during outside movement of inmate. — The
following security procedures shall be observed during the
outside movement of an inmate:
 a. Before departure from prison
 i. The written mission order issued by the Superintendent, the mittimus
and other prison records of the inmate shall be given to the escort
guards. In case of a detainee, the records shall include the written
authorization of the appellate or sentencing court for the outside
movement of the detainee.
 ii. Whenever possible, the transfer shall be effected during daylight
hours.
 iii. The escort guards shall be given detailed instructions on their duties
and responsibilities, to include the instruction that they use the most
direct travel route to their authorized destination.
 iv. The inmate shall be thoroughly searched for contraband or deadly
weapons or objects which may be used for escape or self-destruction.
 v. Money found in the possession of the inmate shall be confiscated by
the Desk Officer who shall issue a receipt therefor and who shall return
the money to the inmate upon his return. If the inmate is to be confined
and needs money for medicine or food, the money therefor shall be
turned over under receipt to the escort guard. All disbursements made
by the escort guard shall be properly receipted for.
 vi. The inmate shall be placed in handcuffs or other instrument of
restraint. If there is more than one inmate to be transferred, they shall
be grouped in pairs and securely connected to one another by a rope,
ascertaining that the inmate does not have crippled, deformed or very
small hands to allow him to slip the handcuffs off.
 vii. Handcuffs shall be properly adjusted for tightness before departure
to avoid the need of adjusting the same while in transit.
 viii. The inmate shall stay inside the prison premises until the vehicle to
be used in transporting him is ready for boarding. The inmate shall
board a motor vehicle ahead of the guard.
 In Transit
 i. The handcuffs or instruments of restraint shall not be
removed while the inmates are in transit. An inmate shall
not be handcuffed to any part of the vehicle during transit to
avoid his being trapped in case of a vehicular accident.
 ii. If it is necessary to board public transportation such as a
ship or airplane, the guards shall position themselves with
their inmates in an area that is cleared of civilians or if this is
not possible, shall sit/position themselves between the
civilians and the inmate/s.
 iii. All inmates being escorted shall be under the supervision
of a guard at all times, including going to the toilet or
washroom. The guard shall always be close enough to the
inmate to respond to any untoward incident.
 iv. If there is more than one inmate being escorted, there
shall be a head count of the inmates every turnover of
guarding shift. The team leader of the escort guard detail
shall conduct an inspection during all guarding shifts.
 v. An inmate shall not be allowed to tinker with his
handcuffs or other instrument of restraint.
 vi. A guard shall always walk behind and not in front of the
inmate being escorted.
 vii. If armed, the guard shall not sit, stand or walk beside
the inmate, or in any case, allow the inmate to reach his
firearm.
 viii. The guard shall not pass any unauthorized place while
in transit.
 Arrival at Destination
 i. Upon arrival at the authorized destination, the guards
and their inmate/s shall stay in the public transportation
until the same is cleared of the other passengers. They
shall only disembark after the inmate and his personal
belongings have been searched/inspected and the
transportation that will bring them finally to their final
destination is ready for boarding.
 ii. The handcuffs or instrument of restraint may be removed
at the authorized destination if there is no danger of
escape.
 iii. The guard shall return the inmate to the prison of origin
as soon as the purpose of the outside movement has been
served.
 d. After-Mission Report
 After completing the mission, the leader of the
guard detail shall submit a written report to the
Superintendent, together with copies of the
transmittal letter and certificate of appearance.
In case of an inmate being transferred to
another prison or jail institution or competent
authority, the responsibility for said inmate shall
remain.
 Other security procedures. — The following security
procedures shall also be observed in case of an inmate
subject of a medical referral or who is allowed to view the
remains of a deceased relative: a. Medical Referrals
 i. The inmate who is brought to an outside hospital for
medical treatment/examination shall be provided with at
least two (2) escort guards and returned to the prison of
origin during the daylight hours after the treatment is
completed. Upon said return, the Department shall be
furnished copies of the inmate's medical certificate,
diagnosis and plan of management.
 ii. If the inmate is to be confined in a hospital, the inmate
may be handcuffed to the bed if he is ambulatory and
there is a risk that he may escape.
 Viewing the Remains
 i. The inmate shall not be allowed more than three (3)
hours from the time of arrival at the wake to the time of
departure from the place where the remains lie in state.
 ii. The remains to be viewed must be in a place within a
radius of thirty (30) kilometers from the place of
confinement. Where the distance is more than thirty
(30) kilometers, the privilege may be enjoyed if the
inmate can leave and return to his place of confinement
during the daylight hours of the same day.
 SECTION 14. Outside work detail of medium security
inmates. — In case a medium security inmate is
detailed to work outside the immediate vicinity of the
prison compound, the following security procedures
shall be observed:
 a. In no case shall an inmate be allowed to work
outside the prison compound without an escort guard.
 b. Security shall be on a one inmate to one guard ratio.
 c. The inmate shall be bodily searched before and after
his work detail.
 EXECUTION OF DEATH
PENALTY
 Death penalty, how executed. — The death penalty
shall be executed under the authority of the Director by
lethal injection. As used herein, lethal injection refers to
sodium thiopenthotal, pancuronium bromide, potassium
chloride and such other lethal substances as may be
specified by the Director that will be administered
intravenously into the body of a convict until said convict
is pronounced dead.
 SECTION 2. Policy. — In the execution of the death
penalty, the Director shall endeavor so far as possible to
mitigate the suffering of the death convict during the
actual execution as well as the proceedings prior
thereto. He shall take steps to ensure that the lethal
injection to be administered is sufficient to cause the
instantaneous death of the convict.
 SECTION 3. Services and privileges given to a death
convict. — A death convict shall enjoy the same
services and privileges accorded to other convicts
unless otherwise provided under this Manual.
 Holding cell. — Whenever practicable, the death convict
shall, twelve (12) hours prior to the scheduled time of
execution, be confined in an individual cell in a maximum
security level facility. The convict shall be provided therein
with a bunk, a steel/wooden bed or mat, a pillow, a blanket
and a mosquito net.
 SECTION 5. Death watch. — Four (4) guards shall keep a
close watch over a death convict confined in the holding cell.
Said guards shall keep a detailed log book of their watch.
 SECTION 6. Religious service. — Subject to security
conditions, a death convict may be visited by a priest or
minister of his faith and given such available religious
materials which he may require.
 SECTION 7. Exercise. — A death convict shall be allowed to
enjoy regular exercise periods under the supervision of a
prison guard.
 Meal services. — Meals shall, whenever practicable, be
served individually to death convicts inside the cells. Mess
utensils shall be made of plastic. After each meal, the
utensils shall be collected and accounted.
 SECTION 9. Visitation. — A death convict shall be allowed
to be visited by his immediate family and reputable friends at
regular intervals and during designated hours subject to
security procedures. Subject to the approval of the
Superintendent, a death convict shall, seven (7) days before
the scheduled date of execution, be allowed daily visits by his
authorized visitors and his attorney of record. After the death
convict is moved to the holding cell, he may only be visited by
members of the clergy and other individuals granted visiting
privileges by the Director.
 SECTION 10. Telephone privileges. — The death
convict shall not enjoy telephone privileges after his
transfer to the holding cell. The Director may give the
convict said privilege in meritorious cases.
 SECTION 11. Log book for mail of death convict. —
Thirty (30) days prior to the execution date, the
Superintendent shall instruct the mail room officer to
forward all the incoming mail of the death convict to the
Commander of the Guards for censorship. A separate log
book shall also be kept for mail matters of the death
convict, noting therein the date and time of their receipt
and disposition.
 Notification and execution of the sentence and assistance
to the convict. — The court shall designate a working day for
the execution of the death penalty but not the hour thereof.
 Such designation shall only be communicated to the convict
after sunrise of the day of the execution, and the execution
shall not take place until after the expiration of at least eight (8)
hours following the notification, but before sunset.
 During the interval between the notification and execution, the
convict shall, as far as possible, be furnished such assistance
as he may request in order to be attended in his last moments
by a priest or minister of the religion he professes and to
consult his lawyers, as well as in order to make a will and
confer with members of his family or of persons in charge of the
management of his business, of the administration of his
property, or of the care of his descendants.
 Suspension of execution of the death sentence. —
Execution by lethal injection shall not be inflicted upon a
woman within one year after delivery, nor upon any
person over seventy (70) years of age. In this last case,
the death sentence shall be commuted to the penalty of
reclusion perpetua with the accessory penalty provided
in article 40 of the Revised Penal Code.
 SECTION 14. Place of execution. — The execution by
lethal injection shall take place in the prison
establishment and space thereat as may be designated
by the Director. Said place shall be closed to public
view.
 Execution procedure. — Details of the procedure prior to,
during and after administering the lethal injection shall be set
forth in a manual to be prepared by the Director and submitted
to the Secretary for review and approval. The manual shall
contain details of, among others, the sequence of events before
and after the execution; procedures in setting up the
intravenous line; the administration of the lethal drugs; the
pronouncement of death; and the removal of the intravenous
system.
 Quantity and safekeeping of drugs purchased. — The exact
quantities of the drugs needed for an execution of a death
penalty shall be purchased by the Director pursuant to existing
rules and regulations not earlier than ten (10) days before the
scheduled date of execution. The drugs shall be kept securely
at the office of the Superintendent of the prison where the death
sentence is to be executed. All unused drugs shall be
inventoried and disposed of properly under the direct
supervision of the Director.
 Administering of lethal drugs. — The injection of the
lethal drugs to a death convict shall be made by a
person designated by the Director.
 SECTION 18. Identity of relatives of death convict
and of person administering lethal injection. — The
identity of the relatives of the death convict and the
person who were designated to administer the lethal
injection shall be kept secret.
 SECTION 19. Persons who may witness execution. — The
execution of a death convict shall be witnessed by the priest or
minister assisting the offender, his lawyers of record not
exceeding two (2) in number, by his relatives, not exceeding four,
if the convict so desires, by the prison physician and necessary
prison personnel, and by such persons as the Director may
authorize which may include the —
 a. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or his representative;
 b. Secretary of Justice or his representative;
 c. Superintendent;
 d. Chief, NBP Hospital;
 e. Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Crime or their
representatives;
 f. Chairmen of the House and Senate Committees on Peace and Order or
their representatives.
 g. Undersecretary of Justice in-charge of corrections.
 h. Chairman, Commission on Human Rights or his representative.
 i. Police chief of the locality where the crime was committed.
 j. Ten (10) media witnesses. A person below eighteen (18) years of age shall
not be allowed to witness an execution.
 SECTION 20. Selection and composition of media
witnesses. — The media witnesses shall be selected from
among those present two (2) hours before the scheduled
execution and shall be drawn from the following sectors:
 a. two (2) from newsprint (broadsheet);
 b. two (2) from newsprint (tabloid);
 c. two (2) from TV;
 d. two (2) from radio; and
 e. two (2) from foreign press.
 SECTION 21. Expulsion of witness. — Any person who
makes unnecessary noise or displays rude or improper
behavior during an execution shall be expelled from the lethal
injection chamber.
 SECTION 22. Non-recording of execution. — The
Director shall not allow the visual, sound or other
recording of the actual execution by media or by any
private person or group.
 SECTION 23. Time for burial. — The burial of a death
convict shall be held immediately after execution in a
common graveyard for inmates. In case the cadaver of
the convict is claimed by his relatives, his burial shall
held not later than three (3) days after his body was
released.
 RA 9263 (MARCH 10,
2004) BFP AND BJMP RA 9592 MAY 8, 2009)
PROFESSIONALIZATION
ACT OF 2004

 AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE  AN ACT EXTENDING FOR 5

PROFESSIONALIZATION OF YEARS THE REGLEMENTARY
THE BFP, AND BJMO, PERIOD FOR COMPLYING
AMENDING CERTAIN WITH THE MINIMUM
PROVISIONS OF RA 6975, EDUCATIONAL
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF QUALIFICATION AND
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES APPROPRIATE ELIGIBILITY IN
THE BFP AND BJMP,
AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE CERTAIN
PROVISION OF RA 9263
KNOWN AS BFP AND BJMP
PROFESSIONALIZATION ACT
OF 2004 AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
 RA 10575 (May 24, 2013) An Act Strengthening the
Bureau of Corrections and Providing Funds therefor
CUSTODIAL RANK REFORMATION RANK
Correcttions Chief Superintendent
Corrections Senior Superintendent Corrections Technical Senior
Superintendent
Corrections Superintendent Corrections Technical Superintendent
Corrections Chief Inspector Corrections Technical Chief Inspector
Corrections Senior Inspector Corrections Technical Senior Inspector
Corrctions Inspector Corrctions Technical Inspector
Corrections Senior Officer IV Corrections Technical Senior Officer IV
Corrections Senior Officer III Corrections Technical Senior Officer III
Corrections Senior Officer II Corrections Technical Senior Officer II
Corrections Senior Officer I Corrections Technical Senior Officer I
Corrections Officer III Corrections Technical Officer III
Corrections Officer II Corrections Technical Officer II
Corrections Officer I Corrections Technical Officer I