The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has an important role in the Philippine justice system, as it is responsible for the custody, safekeeping, and rehabilitation of national offenders.
As an agency under the Department of Justice (DOJ), BuCor’s mission extends beyond mere confinement—its focus is on reforming individuals under its care, adhering to international standards of corrections service.
BuCor’s Mandate and Core Functions
BuCor’s primary mandate is to protect the public by safely keeping and reforming individuals convicted of crimes and sentenced to three years or more of imprisonment.
This mission is carried out through several key functions:
- Confinement and Safekeeping: BuCor is responsible for the secure confinement of individuals convicted by the courts to serve their sentences in national prisons. The bureau sees to it that these individuals do not commit further crimes while in custody, maintaining safety and order within the facilities.
- Humane Treatment and Rehabilitation: The bureau provides inmates with their basic needs and implements various rehabilitation programs aimed at changing their criminal or anti-social behavior. These programs are designed to foster personal progress, moral and spiritual growth, and equip inmates with skills for their eventual reintegration into society.
- Agro-Industrial Projects: To make productive use of prison lands and resources, BuCor engages in agro-industrial projects. These not only help develop the skills and labor of inmates but also provide them with a source of income, which can be used to support themselves and their families during and after incarceration.
Legal Framework
The legal foundation of BuCor is rooted in the Reorganization Act of 1905 (Act No. 1407), which established the Bureau of Prisons under the American Commonwealth government.
BuCor’s mandate was further defined by the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 (Republic Act No. 10575), which outlines the bureau’s responsibilities, organization, staffing, and operational procedures.
This act emphasizes the professionalization and modernization of BuCor, so that the agency has the resources and structure needed to fulfill its mandate of safekeeping and reforming national offenders.
Organizational Structure and Leadership
BuCor operates with a hierarchical structure that fosters clear leadership and accountability within the agency.
At the helm is the Director General of Corrections, who holds the rank of Undersecretary and oversees the entire bureau.
The Director General is supported by three Deputy Director Generals, each responsible for specific areas of operation:
- Deputy Director General for Administration: This position oversees all administrative functions, including human resources, finance, and other support services essential to the bureau’s operations.
- Deputy Director General for Security and Operations: This role focuses on maintaining security within the facilities, managing intelligence operations, conducting investigations, and promoting the safety of both inmates and personnel.
- Deputy Director General for Reformation: This official is tasked with overseeing the various rehabilitation programs offered to inmates, including education, spiritual, and behavior modification, all aimed at preparing inmates for successful reintegration into society.
BuCor’s Operating Units
BuCor manages several correctional facilities across the Philippines, each serving specific regions and populations.
These facilities include:
- Correctional Institution for Women (CIW): Located in Mandaluyong and Santo Tomas, Davao del Norte, the CIW caters specifically to female inmates, providing gender-responsive programs and services.
- New Bilibid Prison: Situated in Muntinlupa, this is the largest facility managed by BuCor, with maximum, medium, and minimum security compounds.
- Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm: Located in Occidental Mindoro, this facility is one of the oldest, focusing on agricultural work programs for inmates.
- Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm: Found in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Iwahig is known for its open-air prison model, where inmates engage in farming and other outdoor activities.
- Leyte Regional Prison: This facility in Abuyog, Leyte, serves the Eastern Visayas region.
- San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm: Located in Zamboanga City, this facility has a long history dating back to the Spanish colonial era.
- Davao Prison and Penal Farm: Situated in Braulio E. Dujali, Davao del Norte, this facility focuses on both agricultural and industrial programs for inmates.
Rehabilitation Programs
BuCor offers a comprehensive range of rehabilitation programs aimed at transforming inmates into productive members of society.
These programs are designed to address various aspects of an inmate’s life, from moral and spiritual well-being to education, work, and health.
- Moral and Spiritual Program: Overseen by the Directorate for Moral and Spiritual Welfare (DMSW), this program fosters inmates’ moral and spiritual values through the practice of their religion and beliefs. The program involves the participation of religious volunteer organizations (RVOs) and individuals who guide inmates on their spiritual journey.
- Education and Training Program: BuCor provides access to both formal and non-formal education, as well as skills development opportunities. The Directorate for Education and Training (DET) collaborates with volunteer educators to offer programs that equip inmates with the knowledge and skills necessary for life after incarceration.
- Work and Livelihood Program: This program offers inmates practical work experience in agricultural, industrial, and other sectors, allowing them to contribute to the prison’s economy and gain valuable skills for future employment.
- Sports and Recreation Program: Recognizing the importance of physical and mental health, BuCor encourages inmates to participate in sports and recreational activities. These activities promote fitness, teamwork, and a positive lifestyle.
- Healthcare Services Program: Upon entering the prison system, inmates undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation. BuCor provides ongoing healthcare services, including medical consultations and treatment for various health conditions, so that inmates’ physical well-being is maintained.
- Therapeutic Community (TC) Program: This program takes a community-based approach to rehabilitation, focusing on changing inmates’ attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyles through peer support, group therapy, and personal responsibility.
Reintegration Efforts
BuCor recognizes that successful reintegration into society is an essential part of the rehabilitation process.
The bureau has implemented several thrusts to help former inmates transition back into their communities.
- “Ready to Work” Initiative: This connects employers with inmates nearing release, providing them with job opportunities upon their return to society. By emphasizing the skills and training inmates have acquired, BuCor highlights their potential as valuable employees.
- Pre-Release Programs: BuCor offers various pre-release programs that prepare inmates for life after incarceration. These programs provide guidance on legal and administrative requirements, access to community resources, and essential life skills.
- Partnerships with Community Organizations: BuCor collaborates with community organizations to offer support services such as housing, employment, education, and mental health care, which are essential for successful reintegration.
- “Ban the Box” Advocacy: BuCor supports efforts to remove questions about criminal history from job applications, aiming to reduce discrimination against former inmates and provide them with fair employment opportunities.
- Collaboration with Other Government Agencies: BuCor works closely with agencies like the Department of Labor and the Department of Health to ascertain that former inmates have access to job training, housing assistance, and healthcare.
Recent Updates
Empowering PDLs Through Vocational Training at San Ramon Prison
The Education and Training Program – Vocational Technology at San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF), in partnership with TESDA-Provincial Training Center (TESDA PTC) IX, organized a five-day Hilot (Wellness Massage) training for 19 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) from the Minimum Security Compound (MinSeCom) on August 12-16, 2024. This program aimed to equip PDLs with practical skills, boosting their self-esteem, increasing productivity, and fostering personal growth. Deputy Superintendent for Administration, C/INSP ROMMEL J CAMPILIS, motivated the participants to continue learning and utilize their newfound skills for future employment prospects. CTO3 Liana Pilar C Cabaltera commended the participants and acknowledged TESDA for their unwavering support in delivering skills training to PDLs. TESDA PTC IX Administrator Mr. Rodolfo M. Bicasan reaffirmed TESDA’s dedication to continuous skills training and welcomed all released PDLs to further enhance their employability through additional training opportunities. Led by Director General GENERAL GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, and Acting Superintendent C/SSUPT DAISY SEVILLA-CASTILLOTE, SRPPF remains committed to engaging PDLs in skill-building activities to enhance their job performance and advance their careers upon reintegration into society.
Commission on Human Rights (CHR) representatives, led by Atty. Edwin Facto, along with Mr. Alvin Dave Policena and Mr. Bernard Tarictican, visited Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF) on August 13-15, 2024, addressing the pressing needs of elderly Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) and providing them with essential legal advice and assistance.
Welcomed by SPPF Acting Superintendent C/SINSP ABEL DR CIRUELA, MSCA, and other key officials, the representatives offered guidance on protecting the rights of PDLs, focusing on safety, security, and human dignity in line with the Nelson Mandela Rules. Upon conclusion, C/SINSP CIRUELA reaffirmed SPPF’s commitment to human rights, so that all PDLs receive necessary support. Both SPPF and CHR pledged ongoing consultations and dialogue to address issues effectively.
Accompanied by C/SINSP CIRUELA, the CHR representatives engaged with PDL representatives at various sub-prison camps, demonstrating a dedication to hearing and resolving concerns during custody.
On August 15, 2024, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) welcomed 500 newly transferred Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) from New Bilibid Prison (NBP), aiming to alleviate overcrowding at NBP by redistributing inmates to other prisons and penal farms. Since January 2024, SRPPF has received a total of 1,500 PDLs. The meticulous transfer process involved thorough searches by the Gate Security Control Unit, supported by the K9 Unit and Corrections Officer Custodial Basic Course (COCBC) Trainees, promoting precise execution at every stage. The seamless operation was a collaborative effort between NBP’s Security Force and SRPPF’s Special Operations Unit, under the guidance of Director General General Gregorio Pio P Catapang Jr., AFP (Ret.), CESE, CCLH, and Acting Superintendent C/SSUPT Daisy Sevilla-Castillote, reaffirming the commitment to the safety and security of the PDLs at SRPPF.
On August 11, 2024, the Zeta Phi Omega fraternity, in collaboration with the Reformation personnel led by C/SINSP NONIE C FORRO, Deputy Superintendent for Reformation and Security and Operations, conducted a hygiene kit giving activity at the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF).
The event benefited 40 Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) housed in the Minimum Security Compound. The hygiene kits distributed included essential items such as shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, alcohol, and other personal care products.
This compassionate move is designed to improve hygiene practices among the PDLs and support their overall well-being. Fraternities and similar organizations often engage in charitable activities like love drives and gift-giving to assist those in need, including incarcerated individuals.
These efforts challenge social norms by demonstrating that PDLs also deserve compassion and affection, which are important for their rehabilitation and reformation. Under the guidance of Director General GREGORIO PIO P CATAPANG JR., AFP (Ret.) CESE, CCLH, and the leadership of Acting Superintendent C/SSUPT DAISY SEVILLA-CASTILLOTE, SRPPF remain committed to supporting meaningful programs for PDLs and promoting a sense of empathy and support in the broader community.
The Commission on Election (COMELEC), Abuyog, Leyte, represented by Mr. Adonis Vincent Yu, Acting Election Officer, organized a Satellite Voting Registration for eligible Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) Voters on August 14, 2024, at the Maximum Security Camp, Leyte Regional Prison (LRP). Following COMELEC protocols, 242 PDLs were effectively enrolled, with the Overseer Section overseeing the event under the leadership of CO2 Ritche Escala, Chief. Article V of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines affirms the right to suffrage for all Filipino citizens not lawfully disqualified and lacking a “final judgment” sentence, making qualified PDL voters those with ongoing appeals in their respective courts of jurisdiction. Acting Superintendent C/CINSP JOSEMARI D ALAMBRO of LRP recognizes and advocates for the voting rights of PDLs, promoting their active involvement in the electoral process.
Video: Rappler Recap: Catapang bares plans for Bureau of Corrections
Rappler reporter Jairo Bolledo provides an overview of the plans revealed by Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. during his press briefing on April 12. In addition to relieving prison guards in New Bilibid Prison’s maximum security compound, Catapang also unveiled his intention to regionalize BuCor.
Conclusion
The Bureau of Corrections is a primary institution in the Philippine justice system, dedicated to the safekeeping and rehabilitation of offenders.
Through its comprehensive structure, diverse rehabilitation programs, and strong legal foundation, BuCor works to ascertain that inmates are not only kept secure but are also given the tools and opportunities to reform.
BuCor’s ongoing efforts to modernize and professionalize its operations reflect its commitment to public safety and the rehabilitation of those under its care.
As the agency continues to evolve, its focus on rehabilitation and reintegration remains central to creating a safer, more just society in the Philippines.