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Overview of Institutional Corrections

This document provides an overview of the correctional system in the Philippines. It discusses the five pillars of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, prosecution, courts, correction, and community. It then defines key terms related to corrections such as inmate, detainee, prisoner, and rehabilitation. It also describes the classical, neoclassical, and positive schools of penology and their views on punishment and criminal behavior.

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78% found this document useful (9 votes)
4K views4 pages

Overview of Institutional Corrections

This document provides an overview of the correctional system in the Philippines. It discusses the five pillars of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, prosecution, courts, correction, and community. It then defines key terms related to corrections such as inmate, detainee, prisoner, and rehabilitation. It also describes the classical, neoclassical, and positive schools of penology and their views on punishment and criminal behavior.

Uploaded by

Nik Yap
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Introduction to Corrections
  • Definitions of Terms
  • Nature and Trends of Punishment
  • Classical and Neo-Classical Schools

Institutional Correction Module

By: Dr. Dario Z. Magpantay


Lesson 1 Introduction to Corrections
A. The Five (5) Pillars of Philippine Criminal Justice System
The Philippines has 5 Pillars in criminal justice system namely: Law Enforcement,
Prosecution, Court, Correction and Community. Every Pillar is important because
without the cooperation of each Pillar, the justice system will not become successful in
the implementation of law.
1. Law Enforcement is organizations that implement the law of the governing
bodies. It is also an initiator of laws to attain the peace and order in the society.

2. The prosecutor has three main tasks: (1) to investigate crimes, (2) to decide
whether or not to instigate legal proceedings and (3) to appear in court. The prosecutors
also represent the government in all criminal proceedings.
3. A court is an institution that the government sets up to settle disputes through
a legal process. People come to court to resolve their disagreements. Courts decide
what really happened and what should be done about it. They decide whether a person
committed a crime and what the punishment should be. They also provide a peaceful
way to decide private disputes that people can't resolve themselves. (FindLaw’s Team)
4. The role of the correctional system is to ensure that an offender's sentence is
carried out, whether it's time in jail or prison, probation, or community service. From an
academic perspective, the four goals of corrections are: retribution, deterrence,
incapacitation, and rehabilitation.
5. The community is viewed to be an integral part of criminal justice in the
Philippines and has been so recognized in that it is the fifth pillar of the criminal justice
system.

B. Definition of Terms
1. Commitment order – a written order of the curt or any other competent authority
consigning an offender to jail or prison for confinement.
2. Contraband – any article, item r thing prohibited by law and/or forbidden by jail Rules.
3. Escape - an act of getting out unlawfully from confinement or custody by an inmate.
4. Instrument of Restraint – a device, contrivance, tool or instrument used to hold back,
keep in, check or control an inmate; e.g. handcuffs, leg irons.
5. Jail – a place of confinement for inmates under investigation, awaiting or undergoing
trial or serving sentence.
6. Mittimus – a warrant issued by a court bearing its seal and the signature of the judge,
directing the jail or prison authorities to receive inmates for custody or service of
sentence imposed therein.
7. Penology – a branch of criminology which deals with management and administration
of inmates.
8. Rehabilitation – a program activity directed to restore an inmate’s self-respect thereby
making him a law-abiding citizen after serving his sentence.
9. Safekeeping – the temporary custody of a person for his own protection, safety or care;
and/or his security from harm, injury or danger for the liability he has committed.
10 Inmate – either prisoner or detainee confined in jail.

11 Detainee – a person accused before a curt or competent authority who is temporarily


confined in jail while undergoing investigation, awaiting final judgment.

12 Prisoner – an inmate who is convicted by final judgment and classified as insular,


provincial, city or municipal prisoner.

13 Correction – a branch of the administration of criminal justice charged with the


responsibility for the custody, supervision, and rehabilitation of the convicted offender.

14 Good Conduct Time Allowance – a reward for good conduct, diligence and loyalty.

15 Control - involves supervision of prisoners to ensure punctual and orderly movement


to and from dormitories, places of work, church, hospitals and other places inside the
facilities.

16 Diversion - a method of halting or suspending formal criminal proceedings against a


person who has violated a statute in favor of processing through non original
disposition. It is also an alternative to formal justice system, such as deferred
prosecution, resolution of citizen’s dispute or other ways.

17 Furlough - it is an authorization that permits inmate to leave place of confinement for


emergency reasons.

18 Deterrence - a crime control strategy that uses punishment as means to prevent


others from committing similar crime.
19 Classification - it is the process of assigning or grouping of inmates according to their
sentence, gender, age, nationality, health, criminal records and other pertinent facts
as basis.

C. Nature and Trends of Punishment


There are conflicting theories and opinions about the laws, rules, and customs
that regulate everyday life and about how to deal with those who violate accepted
standards. Formal punishment of individuals as an organized reaction to lawbreaking
prompts serious debates concerning justice versus utility, universality versus
particularity, and consensus versus conflict.
Punishment is a component of the criminal justice system commonly taken for
granted. Most individuals have an opinion about punishment based on their general
view of what is right and what is wrong. There are, however, invisible aspects of
punishment that affect not only those who break the law and those directly affected by
the incarceration of the lawbreaker but also the society that decides what type of
punishment is meted out. The theoretical arguments and justifications for punishment
reveal the values of society concerning justice, human rights, social equality, and
relations between the state and its citizens. (David Shichor)
Punishment - it signifies pain by the infliction of penalty for every violation to the law.
1. Torture
2. Hard Labor
3. Solitary Confinement
4. Slave
Correction - it deals with the branch of the administration of criminal justice, charged
with the responsibility of custody, supervision and rehabilitation of the convicts.
1. Responsible Person
2. Rehabilitation
3. Diversification
4. Therapeutic Modality
5. God Fearing
6. Close Supervision
7. Inmate’s Morale and Welfare
Classical School of Penology
The classical school of thought was premised on the idea that people have free
will in making decisions, and that punishment can be a deterrent for crime, so long as
the punishment is proportional, fits the crime, and is carried out promptly.
Neo Classical School
One of the primary assumptions is related to human decision-making.
Neoclassical theories assume that people will make a rational choice to commit crime. If
the crime is low-risk and high reward with little likelihood of severe punishment, then
motivated offenders will choose to commit crime.
Positive School
The Positivist School was founded by Cesare Lombroso and led by two others:
Enrico Ferri and Raffaele Garofalo. In criminology, it has attempted to find scientific
objectivity for the measurement and quantification of criminal behavior. Its method was
developed by observing the characteristics of criminals to observe what may be the root
cause of their behavior or actions.[1] Since the Positivist's school of ideas came around,
the research revolved around its ideas has aided in identifying some of the key
differences between those who were deemed "criminals" and those who were not.
References:
Wikipedia
Waveland Press, Inc. Publisher of college-level textbooks and supplements

Common questions

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Retribution and rehabilitation are two distinct goals within the context of corrections. Retribution focuses on punishment for wrongdoing, based on the principle of 'just deserts' where the punishment should fit the crime, serving as a form of societal vengeance and deterrence against future crimes. Rehabilitation, on the other hand, aims to reform offenders by addressing the underlying causes of their criminal behavior, restoring their self-respect, and reintegrating them into society as law-abiding citizens. While retribution is centered on past actions, rehabilitation emphasizes future behavior change .

The concept of 'Control' in correctional facilities involves the supervision of prisoners to ensure orderly movement within the facility, maintaining discipline and security. It involves the use of procedures and policies to manage inmate activities and interactions, aiming to prevent conflicts, escapes, and disturbances. However, challenges may arise, such as potential abuses of power, inmate resistance or unrest due to perceived or actual mistreatment, and the logistical difficulties of implementing comprehensive supervision across diverse and often overcrowded facilities. Addressing these challenges requires balancing security with humane treatment and providing staff with adequate training and resources .

Diversion provides an alternative to the formal justice system by halting or suspending formal criminal proceedings in favor of non-traditional methods such as deferred prosecution, resolution of citizen’s disputes, and other restorative approaches. The potential benefits of diversion include reducing the burden on courts and prisons, providing offenders with opportunities to avoid the lasting stigma of a criminal conviction, and fostering reconciliation and rehabilitation rather than punishment. These measures can lead to higher rates of offender reintegration and reduced recidivism .

The 'Good Conduct Time Allowance' provides prisoners with the opportunity to reduce their sentences through good behavior, diligence, and loyalty while incarcerated. This incentive encourages inmates to engage positively in the rehabilitative programs and maintain discipline, contributing to an environment that supports behavioral transformation. The implications for rehabilitation include enhancing motivation to reform, reducing recidivism by instilling pro-social behavior during confinement, and facilitating smoother reintegration into society as inmates who have demonstrated good conduct are more likely to earn early release and the associated privileges .

The primary roles of the court within the Philippine criminal justice system are to settle disputes through a legal process, decide whether a person committed a crime, determine the appropriate punishment, and provide a peaceful way to decide private disputes that individuals cannot resolve themselves. The court acts as an impartial arbiter, ensuring that justice is served by fairly assessing the evidence and arguments presented. This contributes to the overall functioning of the criminal justice system by maintaining order and upholding the rule of law, which reinforces trust in the justice system and promotes societal peace and stability .

Philosophical debates surrounding punishment often explore the tension between justice versus utility, universality versus particularity, and consensus versus conflict. These debates reflect societal values concerning justice by weighing the moral imperative of punishing wrongdoing (retribution) against the practical benefits of deterrence and rehabilitation (utility). Human rights considerations arise in the discussion of proportionality and the humane treatment of offenders, balancing societal protection with individual rights. These debates underscore differing views on the role of the state and the rights of citizens, influencing policy and practice in reflective justice systems .

The Classical School of Penology, premised on the idea of free will and proportional punishment, has significantly influenced modern criminal justice practices by introducing the deterrence model. The focus on rational choice informed structured sentencing practices, ensuring that punishments are known, certain, and proportionate to the crime, thus deterring potential offenders. This framework underpins many contemporary legal systems' approaches to create predictable consequences for criminal actions, fostering a system where the law functions as a deterrent by clearly laying out the penalties for criminal behavior .

The community plays a critical role as the fifth pillar in the Philippine criminal justice system by actively participating in the reintegration and rehabilitation of offenders. Its significance lies in providing support networks for rehabilitation, encouraging restorative justice practices, offering resources for prevention programs, and reducing stigma towards reformed offenders. This involvement helps in reducing crime rates by fostering social harmony and enhancing the societal fabric. An engaged community also ensures transparency and accountability within the justice system, promoting trust and cooperation among citizens and the authorities .

The Neo-Classical School's view on human decision-making, which recognizes rational choice while considering situational and cognitive constraints, has influenced modern criminal justice policies by encouraging the development of more nuanced deterrent strategies. It has led to the incorporation of policies that account for varying levels of offender culpability and the specific circumstances of crimes. This approach acknowledges that while individuals may make rational decisions, external variables significantly impact their choices. Consequently, policies like graduated sanctions and individualized sentencing reflect this understanding, promoting fairness in the justice process .

The Positivist School of Criminology, founded by Cesare Lombroso and others, shifted the focus to investigating the measurable and quantifiable aspects of criminal behavior, emphasizing scientific objectivity. Its approach has influenced modern criminology by promoting the study of the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to criminal behavior. This school advocated for the analysis of inherent and environmental factors in crime causation, leading to evidence-based policy making and the enhanced development of profiling and intervention strategies aimed at prevention rather than solely punitive measures .

Institutional Correction Module
By: Dr. Dario Z. Magpantay
Lesson 1 Introduction to Corrections
A. The Five (5) Pillars of Ph
5. Jail – a place of confinement for inmates under investigation, awaiting or undergoing
trial or serving sentence.
6. Mittim
19 Classification - it is the process of assigning or grouping of inmates according to their
sentence, gender, age, nationali
Neo Classical School 
One  of  the  primary  assumptions  is  related  to  human  decision-making.
Neoclassical theories assu

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