1.

CORRECTION

Meaning

Correction is the act or process of punishing people who committed crimes and helping them change
their behavior so they can become better members of society.

Correction has two goals:

1. Punishment – making the person responsible for their wrongdoing

2. Rehabilitation – helping them become a better person

Think of correction like a teacher disciplining a student—not to hurt them, but to help them learn what
is right.

Example
A teenager in Quezon City steals a cellphone. The court orders him to attend counseling, apologize to
the victim, and do community service.

He learns:

 stealing hurts others

 honesty is important

 he can change his behavior

2. INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION

Meaning

Institutional correction is the traditional method of correction where offenders are confined in places
like jail, prison, or penitentiary.

Examples of institutions:

 City Jail

 Provincial Jail

 National Penitentiary

Purpose:

 Protect society

 Punish crime

 Rehabilitate offenders inside the facility

Example

An adult convicted of robbery in Cebu is sent to New Bilibid Prison or a provincial jail.
Inside, he may:

 attend skills training

 join religious services

 study basic education

These programs aim to prepare him for a better life after release.

3. NON-INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION

Meaning

Non-Institutional Correction is punishment outside jail or prison. It is also called contemporary

Examples:

 Probation

 Parole

 Community service

 Counseling programs

The offender stays in the community but must follow rules.

Example
A student caught vandalizing a wall in Davao City is placed on probation.

He must:

 clean public spaces

 attend guidance counseling

 avoid bad company

Instead of jail, he learns responsibility.

4. ANCIENT FORMS OF CORRECTION

1. Pungent Potion

Meaning
Offenders were forced to drink a strong or bitter potion to drive away evil spirits.
Example
In some early tribal beliefs in Mindanao, healers used herbs to “cleanse” a person believed to be cursed
or possessed after wrongdoing.

2. Grotesque Mask

Meaning
Offenders wore scary masks and danced to scare away evil spirits.

Example
Some early rituals in Filipino tribes used masks and dances to drive away bad luck or spirits believed to
cause wrongdoing.

3. Trephination Method

Meaning
A hole was made in the skull using sharp tools to release evil spirits.

This was dangerous and painful.

Example
While not common in Philippine tribes, similar practices existed in ancient cultures worldwide, showing
how people misunderstood crime and mental illness.

4. Banishment

Meaning
The offender was expelled from the community. If they refused to leave, they could be killed.

Example
In some early barangay systems, a person who repeatedly stole or caused trouble could be sent away
from the tribe to protect the group.

CONTEMPORARY / MODERN FORMS OF CORRECTION

1. Cat-O-Nine Tails

Meaning:
The Cat-O-Nine Tails was a whip with nine knotted leather cords used for flogging as punishment.

It shows how early modern systems believed physical pain would stop crime.

Example
During the Spanish colonial period, Filipinos accused of rebellion or minor crimes were sometimes
whipped publicly in town plazas to scare others.

This was meant to maintain order through fear.

2. Split Sentence
Meaning:
A split sentence is giving two kinds of punishment, such as jail plus a fine.
Purpose:

 Punish

 Compensate society

Example
A person in Manila convicted of reckless driving causing injury may receive:

 6 months imprisonment

 A fine and payment to the victim

This teaches responsibility and accountability.

3. Transportation of Criminals

Meaning:
Criminals were sent to faraway places to reduce prison overcrowding.

Example in history: Britain sending prisoners to Australia.

Example
During Spanish rule, Filipino rebels were exiled to Guam or Mindanao. Dr. José Rizal was exiled to
Dapitan in Mindanao.

Transportation removed offenders from their community.

EARLY FORMS OF IMPRISONMENT

1. Regalatio

Meaning:
Imprisonment by restricting where a person can live.

Example
A corrupt official may be ordered by court to stay in a certain city and not leave while trial continues.

2. Departatio

Meaning:
Forced living in a remote island or desert.

Example
Spanish authorities exiled Filipino leaders to remote areas like Mindanao or Guam to weaken
resistance.

3. Opus Publicum

Meaning:
Imprisonment through forced public work.
Example
Prisoners today in some Philippine jails help clean streets, plant trees, or repair facilities as community
service.

4. Ergastulum

Meaning:
A prison used as a lock-up for slaves.

Example
During colonial times, Filipinos forced into labor camps worked under guard like prisoners.

EARLY LAWS AND DIFFERENT MANNERS OF PRESCRIBING PUNISHMENT

1. Code of King Hammurabi

Meaning:
The oldest law code with harsh punishments like “eye for an eye.”

Example
If someone damages property, courts may require payment equal to the damage similar idea but
humane.

2. Twelve Tables of Wood

Meaning:
The first Roman written law so citizens knew rules.

Example
The Philippine Constitution and Revised Penal Code are written laws so everyone knows what is legal.

3. Burgundian Code

Meaning:
Punishment depended on social class.

Example
In the past, rich Filipinos sometimes escaped punishment easier than poor ones. Modern law says
justice must be equal.

4. Benefit of the Clergy

Meaning:
Offenders tried in church courts focusing on repentance.

Example
Today, inmates join religious programs in Philippine prisons to encourage moral change.
5. Securing Sanctuary

Meaning:
Criminals hid in churches for protection.

Example
During old times, fugitives sometimes hid in convents or churches.

6. Trial by Ordeal

Meaning:
Dangerous tests decided guilt.

Example
In old barangays, disputes were settled by risky challenges or superstitions.

7. Holy Inquisition

Meaning:
Church courts punished heresy using torture.

Example
During Spanish rule, suspected rebels were tortured to confess.

8. Kalantiaw Code

Meaning:
A supposed ancient Philippine law by Datu Kalantiaw.

(Some historians say it is not authentic.)

Example
Stories about strict tribal punishments show how early Filipinos valued discipline.

9. Maragtas Code

Meaning:
A legendary story about early Visayan laws.

Example
Local legends in Iloilo teach moral lessons about leadership and justice.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORK HOUSES AND REFORMATORIES

1. The London House of Correction (1596) – Bridewell

Meaning:
Bridewell was the first house of correction in England. It locked up beggars, prostitutes, rebellious
workers, and others who broke rules. They were punished and forced to work.

It was called Bridewell because of St. Bridget’s Well found in the compound.
This showed the early belief that discipline and hard work could change behavior.

Example
During the Spanish period, Filipinos who broke minor rules were forced to do polo y servicio (forced
labor), building roads or churches.

This was similar to Bridewell’s idea of punishment through work.

2. Hospicio de San Michele (1703)

Meaning:
Built by Pope Clement XI in Rome. It was the first home for delinquent boys under 20 who needed
guidance instead of harsh punishment.

It showed the idea of helping young offenders reform.

Example
In the Philippines, young offenders are sent to Bahay Pag-asa Youth Centers instead of adult jail. They
receive education, counseling, and life-skills training.

3. Maison de Force (Prison of Ghent)

Meaning:
This prison separated offenders based on:

 Felons vs. minor offenders

 Men vs. women

 Adults vs. children

Founder: Jean Jacques Philippe Villain, called the Father of Penitentiary Science.

This showed early scientific prison management.

Example
Philippine jails separate inmates by gender and age. Youth offenders are not placed with hardened
criminals.

4. Elmira Reformatory

Meaning:
First reformatory for men aged 16-30 focused on education, discipline, and behavior change.

It became the model of modern prisons.

Example
Inmates in Philippine prisons attend TESDA training like carpentry, welding, or baking so they can work
honestly after release.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRISON

1. Imprisonment

Meaning:
During King Edward I’s time, imprisonment became popular punishment.

Example
A person convicted of robbery in Cebu may be jailed in a provincial jail or New Bilibid Prison.

2. Hulks

Meaning:
Old ships turned into prisons, called floating hells.

Example
Overcrowding in Philippine jails sometimes leads to temporary detention facilities.

3. Panopticon Prison

Meaning:
Designed by Jeremy Bentham. Guards could watch all prisoners from one tower.

Example
Modern Philippine jails use CCTV cameras for monitoring.

4. Walnut Street Jail

Meaning:
First penitentiary separating prisoners by sex, age, and mentality.

Example
Juvenile offenders are kept separate from adult prisoners.

5. Eastern State Penitentiary

Meaning:
Used strict solitary confinement. No visitors or mail allowed.

Example
Isolation cells are used for violent inmates in Philippine jails.

6. Pennsylvania Prison System

Meaning:
Prisoners lived and worked alone in silence.

Example
High-risk inmates in Philippine prisons are separated for security.
7. Auburn Prison

Meaning:
Prisoners worked together silently by day and slept alone at night.

Example
Inmates work together in prison workshops like furniture making.

8. Sing Sing Prison

Meaning:
Strict silence; small movements punished.

Example
Colonial-era prisons in the Philippines were harsh and strict.

9. Leavenworth Prison

Meaning:
First U.S. penitentiary.

Example
New Bilibid Prison is the Philippines’ main national penitentiary.

10. Alcatraz Federal Prison

Meaning:
Famous island prison called “The Rock.” Closed because it was too expensive.

Example
High-security prisons in the Philippines cost much to maintain due to guards and facilities.

11. Seagoville Prison

Meaning:
A prison without walls based on rehabilitation.

Example
Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan allows trusted inmates to farm freely.

12. Australia as Penal Colony

Meaning:
England sent criminals to Australia.

Example
Spanish authorities exiled Filipino heroes like José Rizal to Dapitan.