INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTION

by: JO1 Sean Francis C. San Diego, PhD, RCrim, CSE

MODULE #8

ORIGIN OF THE WORD PRISON

o the word prison was derived from the Greco-Roman word PRESIDIO.
o “PRE” means BEFORE and SIDIO means INSIDE. It is synonymous to a fenced-cave or dungeon.

THE PHILIPPINE PRISON SYSTEM

The Philippine prison system is patterned after the Federal Bureau of Prisons of the United States. It is a bureau
within the Department of Justice.

BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS

o Bureau of Prisons was created under the Reorganization Act of 1905 (Act No. 1407 dated November 1,
1905) as an agency under the Department of Commerce and Police.
o Bureau of Prisons was renamed Bureau of Corrections under Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code)
passed during the Cory Aquino Administration. It states that the head of the Bureau of Corrections is the
Director of Prisons who is appointed by the President of the Philippines with the confirmation of the
Commission of Appointments.

RA 10575 - ALSO KNOWN AS THE “ACT STRENGTHENING THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS AND
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFORE” ALSO KNOWN AS THE BUCOR LAW OF 2013”

o The Bureau of Corrections has general supervision and control of all seven (7) national / insular prisons or
penitentiaries. It is charged with the safekeeping of all Insular Prisoners confined therein or committed to
the custody of the Bureau.

BP 28 – law that change the name penal colony to penal farm.

THE SEVEN OPERATING CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Prior to the establishment of Bilibid Prison, prisoners were confined in jails under the jurisdiction of
Commandancias where law enforcement units were stationed. Commandancias were established in practically every
province of the country.

BILIBID PRISONS

a. OLD BILIBID PRISON

o Carcel Y Presidio Correctional

o The main insular penitentiary during the Spanish regime. This was constructed in 1847 and was formally
inaugurated in 1865 by virtue of the Royal Decree of the Spanish Crown.
o This is located at Azcaraga St. (now Recto Ave.) then famous “May Haligue Estate” at nearby Central
Market at Oroquieta St.
o This was constructed in radical spokes-of-a-wheel form with a tower in the center spoke for easy command
and control.

Composed of 2 Compounds:

1. Carcel – 600 inmate capacity

 2. Presidio – 527 inmate capacity

Commonwealth Act No. 67 was enacted, appropriating one million (P1,000.000.00) pesos for the construction
of a new national prison in the southern suburb of Muntinlupa, Rizal in 1935. The old prison was transformed
into a receiving center and a storage facility for farm produce from the colonies.

In 1936, the City of Manila exchanged its Muntinlupa property with that of the Bureau of Prison lot, the
Muntinlupa property was intended as a site for Boys Training School, but because it was too far, the City
preferred the site of the Old Bilibid Prison, the present site of Manila City Jail (BJMP).

b. NEW BILIBID PRISON

o Located in Muntinlupa City.

o Approximately 552 hectares.
o This is where the Bureau of Corrections Central Office. The New Bilibid Prison has a capacity of 3,000
Prisoners.
o The New Bilibid Prison specializes in the industrial type of vocational training. It operates a furniture shop,
shoe repairing shop, blacksmith and tinsmith shop, auto mechanics and automobile body building shop,
tailoring, electronics, watch-repairing carpentry, and rattan furniture shop. It is also engaged in track
gardening, poultry, piggery and animal husbandry.
o Within the complex are the three (3) security camps administered by a Penal Superintendent and assisted
by as Asst. Superintendent in each Camp.

The Three (3) Security Camps

MAXIMUM SECURITY COMPOUND (Main Building)

o Is for prisoners whose sentences are 20 years and above, life termers or those under capital
punishment, those with pending cases, those under disciplinary punishment, those whose cases are on
appeal, those under detention, and those that do not fall under medium and minimum-security status.
o Wears tangerine shirt.
o Not allowed to do furlough.
o This type of institution is characterized by thick all enclosures, 18 to 25 feet high. On top of the wall
are catwalks along which the guards patrol at night. At corners and strategic places are tower posts
manned by heavily armed guards.

MEDIUM SECURITY COMPOUND (Camp Sampaguita)

o Is for prisoners whose sentences are below 20 years (computed from the minimum sentences per
classification interpretation) and those classified for colony assignment.
o This type of institution is usually enclosed by two layers of wire fence. The inner fence is 12 to 14 feet
high with curb and the outer fence is 8 to 12 feet high. The two fences are from 18 to 20 feet apart.
Usually, the top portion of the fence is provided with barbed wire.

MINIMUM SECURITY COMPOUND (Camp Bukang Liwayway)

o Is an open camp with less restrictions and regimentation. This is for prisoners who are 65 years old and
above, medically certified as invalids and for those prisoners who have six months or less to serve
before, they are released from prison.
o The lethal injection chamber is also located here.
o This type of institution is usually without a fence, and if there is one, its purpose is to keep away the
civilian population from entering the institution rather than preventing escapes.
SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM, Zamboanga del Sur

o founded by Capt. Ramon Blanco, a member of the Spanish Royal Army and named the prison facility after
his patron saint.
o This was initially intended for the confinement of political prisoners during Spanish era.
o It was closed during the Spanish- American War and was reopened during the American occupation. It has
three facilities (maximum, medium, minimum).
o The penal farm was designed to promote agro-industrial activities.
o On August 21, 1869, the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City was established to confine
Muslim rebels and recalcitrant political prisoners opposed to the Spanish rule. The facility, which faced the
Jolo sea had Spanish-inspired dormitories and was originally set on a 1,414-hectare sprawling estate.

Land Area: Currently approx. 1,546 hectares

Principal Product: Copra, Rice, Coffee, Etc.

Year Established: 1869 – 1870

NOTE: IT IS THE SECOND OLDEST PRISON AFTER OLD BILIBID PRISON

SAN RAMON HAS AN AVERAGE POPULATION OF 1,200 PRISONERS

IWAHIG PRISON AND PENAL FARM, Luhit, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

o The Americans established in 1904 the LUHIT PENAL SETTLEMENT (now Iwahig Prison and Penal
Farm) on a vast reservation of 28,072 hectares.
o It would reach a total land area of 40,000 hectares in the late 1950s.
o Located on the westernmost part of the archipelago far from the main town to confine incorrigibles with
little hope of rehabilitation, the area was expanded to 41,007 hectares by virtue of Executive Order No. 67
issued by Governor Newton Gilbert on October 15, 1912.

Envisioned by: Governor Luke E. Wright

Ordered by: Governor Forbes

o Envisioned as an institution for incorrigible criminals, however, the first contingent of prisoners to be
confined revolted against the authorities.
o On November1, 1905 under the Reorganization Act 1407, the policy was changed, instead of putting
hardened criminals, well behaved and obedient inmates were sent to the colony.
o The farm is predominantly designed for agro-industrial activities. Within its area are four (4) sub-colonies:
o Central Sub-Colony
o Sta. Lucia Sub-Colony
o Montible Sub-Colony
o Inagawan Sub-Colony

o All these colonies are administered by a Penal Supervisor.

o It administers the Tagumpay Settlement, which is approximately 1, 000 hectares, with six hectares
homestead lots distributed to inmates who desired to live in the settlement after service of sentence.
o One of the best open institutions in the world.

Date Established: November 16, 1905

 By virtue of: Reorganization Act of 1407

Land Area: Approx. 36,000 hectares – 41,007 (1912)

Principal Product: Rice, Corn, Copra and other Forest Product

o Largest Penal Colony

o Prison without walls
o The most open prison facility
o The best and finest prison

CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN, Mandaluyong City

o The only female institution in the Philippines

o Since 1934, a female Superintendent was assigned to supervise the prison facility.
o LOCATED AT WELFARE VILLE MANDALUYONG CITY

Date Established: 1931

By virtue of: Act 3579 which was passed on Nov. 27, 1929

Vocational Activities: Dress Making, Beauty Culture, Handicrafts

Capacity: 200

Trivia: First Women’s Prison opened in Indiana 1873. Based on the Reformatory Model.

LEYTE REGIONAL PRISON, Abuyog S. Leyte

o It is a prison facility, which has a receiving and process station.

o It has three security facilities – maximum, medium, minimum
o Because of its terrain, prison agro-industrial activities could not be fully developed.
o Youngest prison
o Built during martial law - Ferdinand Marcos
o Fastest growing prison
o Max capacity – 500 prisoners

Date Established: Jan. 16, 1973

By virtue of: Proclamation No. 1101

SABLAYAN PRISON AND PENAL FARM, Sablayan, San Jose, Mindoro Occidental

o With four sub-colonies within the prison compound:

o Central sub-colony
o Pusog sub-clony
o Pasugui sub-colony
o Yapag sub-colony
o This penal farm is intended for agro-industrial activities.
o Nearest Penal Colony in Manila
 Date Established: Sept. 26, 1954

By virtue of: Proclamation No. 72

Principal Product: Rice

DAVAO PRISON AND PENAL FARM, Tagum, Davao del Norte

o The Davao Penal Colony was established on January 21, 1932, in accordance, with Act No. 3732 and
Proclamation No. 414, series of 1931. With two sub- colonies:
o Panabo sub-colony
o Kapalong sub-colony
o Administer the Tanglaw Settlement for those inmates who desire to live within the compound.
o First headed by: GEN. PAULINO SANTOS
o RICHEST AND HIGHEST INCOME EARNER
o BIGGEST BANANA AND ABACA PLANTATION

Land Area: 30,000 hectares

NON-OPERATIONAL PRISONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

FORT BONIFACIO

o A committee report submitted to then President Carlos P. Garcia described Fort Bonifacio, formerly known
as Fort William McKinley, as a military reservation located in Taguig, which was established after the
Americans came to the Philippines.
The prison was originally used as a detention center for offenders of US military laws and ordinances.

CORREGIDOR PRISON

o In 1908 during the American regime, some 100 prisoners were transferred from the Old Bilibid Prison to
Corregidor Island to work under military authorities.
o This move was in accordance with an order from the Department of Instructions, which approved the
transfer of inmates so they could assist in maintenance and other operations in the stockade.

BONTOC PRISON

o The Philippine Legislature during the American regime passed Act No. 1876 providing for the
establishment of a prison in Bontoc in Mountain Province.
o The prison was built for the prisoners of the province and insular prisoners who were members of the non-
Christian tribes of Mountain Province and Nueva Vizcaya.

ADMISSION PROCEDURES IN PRISON

RECEIVING

o The new prisoner is received at the RDC. The new prisoner usually comes from a provincial or city jail
where he was immediately committed upon conviction by the court and escorted by the escort platoon
during his transfer to the National Prison.

CHECKING OF COMMITMENT PAPERS

 o The receiving officer checks the commitment papers if they are in order. That is, if they contain the
signature of the judge or the signature of the clerk of court, and the seal of the court.

IDENTIFICATION / BOOKING

o The prisoner’s identity is established through the picture and fingerprint appearing in the commitment
order.
o This is to ensure that the person being committed is the same as the person being named in the commitment
order.

SEARCHING / SHAKEDOWN

o This step involves the frisking of the prisoner and searching his personal things.
o Weapons and other items classified as contraband are confiscated and deposited to the property custodian.
Other properties are deposited with the trust fund officer under recording and receipts.

a. Pat – patting of subjects clothing

b. Rub – patting of body over the clothing including the groin, buttocks and breast

c. Strip – naked search

d. Body cavity search – expose body cavities like anus and vagina to look for contrabands.

BRIEFING / ORIENTATION

o The prisoner will be brief and oriented on the rules and regulations of the prison before he will be assigned
to the RDC or the quarantine unit.

ISSUANCE OF CLOTHES AND EQUIPMENT

o From the receiving office, the new prisoner goes to the supply room where he receives his prison uniform,
mosquito net and beddings.

ASSIGNMENT TO QUARTERS

o After the prisoner is issued his clothing’s and beddings, he is sent to the quarantine unit. The quarantine
may be a unit of the prison or a section of the Reception Center.

BUCOR’S DIRECTORATE FOR RECEPTION AND DIAGNOSTICS

(Formerly Reception and Diagnostic Center)

RA 10175

This is a special unit of prison (Camp Sampaguita where new prisoners undergo diagnostic examination, study and
observation for the purpose of determining the programs of treatment and training best suited to their needs FOR A
TOTAL PERIOD OF 60 DAYS and the institution to which they should be transferred.

It is composed of the following staff members:

o THE PSYCHIATRIST – responsible in the examination of the prisoner’s mental and emotional make-up.
o THE PSYCHOLOGIST – responsible to conduct study on the character and behavior of the prisoners.
o THE SOCIOLOGIST – study the social case situation of the individual prisoner.
 o THE EDUCATIONAL COUNSELOR – conducts orientation classes in order to change inmates’ attitude
towards education and recommends educational program for the prisoner.
o THE VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR – to test the prisoner’s special abilities, interest and skills and
recommends for the vocational course best suited to the prisoner.
o THE CHAPLAIN – encourage the prisoner to participate in religious activities.
o THE MEDICAL OFFICER – conducts physical examination and recommends medical treatment of
prisoners.
o CUSTODIAL-CORRECTIONAL OFFICER – recommends the transfer and type of custody of inmates.

THE QUARANTINE CELL OR UNIT

o This may be a unit of the prison or a section of the RDC where the prisoner is given thorough physical
examination including blood test, x-rays, vaccinations and immunity for 5 to 10 days.
o This is for the purpose of insuring that the prisoner is not suffering from any contagious disease, which
might be transferred to the prison population.

THE NATIONAL CORRECTIONS CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK

o Every last week of October

o By virtue of Proclamation Number 551 signed on March 15, 1995, by former President Fidel V. Ramos