CHALLENGING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REVISED IRR OF
R.A. NO. 10575 OR THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS
ACT OF 2013 IN RELATION TO THE CONDITION
OF PENITENTIARIES IN THE PHILIPPINES
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
For people who have committed crimes that have landed them in jail, there
needs to have something wherein they can find a light for rehabilitation, and not just
about something full of darkness and hopelessness.
In relation to the statement above, theres a need of bold change in the criminal
justice system of the Philippines. A good first step forward is to start treating prisoners
as human beings, not profiting from their incarceration. There should be an emphasis
on rehabilitation, not incarceration and punishment.
Effective control over the rights of every human being is one of the most
important tasks of the government. There is no doubt that public control should be
based on the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution that protects peoples basic
rights and freedoms.
Despite the fact that prisoners do not possess full constitutional rights, they are
protected by the 1987 Philippine Constitution such as protection from torture and cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment. The protection means that all the prisoners should be
afforded a minimum standard of living. All in all, prisoners are protected against unequal
treatment based on race, sex, ethnicity, and other personal characteristics since all
persons under any form of detention or imprisonment shall be treated in a humane
manner and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.
The Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10575 or
The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 enforces to promote the general welfare and
safeguard the basic rights of every prisoner incarcerated in the national penitentiary by
promoting and ensuring their reformation and social reintegration, creating an
environment conducive to rehabilitation and compliant with the United Nations Standard
Minimum Rules for Treatment of Prisoners (UNSMRTP). It also recognizes the
responsibility of the State to strengthen government capability aimed towards the
institutionalization of highly efficient and competent correctional services.
However, due to the overcrowding situation in the different prison institutions, it
gives extra burden on the part of the government. Congestion or prison overcrowding is
not just a national issue but a worldwide issue as well. Prisons, in most parts of the
world, are overcrowded where the prison cells accommodate prisoners more than its
ideal capacity. This seeming condition does not contribute to the effective rehabilitation
of convicted persons.