GROUP 1 COAD

BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY

HISTORY OF BJMP

On January 2, 1991, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was created thru Republic Act 6975 as a line
Bureau under the Department of Interior and Local Government.
The Jail Bureau is the upgraded version of its forerunner, the Office of Jail Management and Penology of the
defunct PC/INP last headed by BRIG GEN Arsenio E. Concepcion.
As mandated by law, the BJMP shall operate under the reorganized Department of the Interior and Local
Government.
Starting from scratch with 500 personnel in 1991 the BJMP weaned from its mother PC/INP as a mere
component, to become a full-fledged bureau. Director Charles S. Mondejar took his oath of office on July 2nd
of 1991 as the first Chief of the Bureau.
MANDATES AND FUNCTIONS
BJMP is mandated to direct, supervise and control the administration and operation of all district, city and
municipal jails nationwide with pronged tasks of safekeeping and development of PDL.
COMMITMENT AND CLASSIFICATION OF DETAINEES OR PRISONERS

A person can be committed to jail by virtue of a warrant or order by which a court directs to take a person to
prison. The commitment is either for further hearing or it is final.
Courts and other entities authorized to commit a person to jail
 Supreme Court
 Court of Appeals
 Sandiganbayan
 RTC
 MTC
 MCTC
 Congress of the Philippines
 All other administrative bodies or persons authorized by law to arrest and/ or commit a person to jail.

CATEGORIES OF INMATES
Prisoner- inmate who is convicted by final judgment.
Detainee-inmate who is undergoing investigation/awaiting trial/sentencing.
CLASSIFICATION OF DETAINEES/PRISONERS
Insular Prisoner-ne who is sentenced to a prison term of three years and one day to death.
Provincial Prisoner-one who is sentenced to a prison term of six months and one day to three years.
City Prisoner- one who is sentenced to a prison term of one day to three years.
Municipal Prisoner- one who is sentenced to a prison term of one day to six months.
CLASSIFICATION OF DETAINEES
Undergoing Investigation
 Awaiting or Undergoing trial
 Awaiting final judgment
INMATES SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
 High Risk inmates-those who are considered highly dangerous and. who require a greater degree of
security, control and supervision.
  High Profile inmates-those are inmates who are not necessarily charged with heinous crimes but are
prominent figures in society or public figures whose cases have drawn public interest.
 Ordinary inmates-Inmates whose sentence is less than 3 years.
CLASSIFICATION BOARD
 Each jail shall maintain a classification board, if facilities and personnel are available, to be composed of
the following:
 Chairman - Assistant warden
 Member - Chief, Security Officer
 Member - Medical officer/Public health officer
 Member - Jail chaplain
 Member - Social Worker/ Rehabilitation officer
DUTIES OF CLASSIFICTION BOARD
The classification board shall be tasked with gathering information and other data of very inmates into a case
study to determine the work assignment,type of supervision anddegree of custody and restriction under the
inmates must live in jail.
The investigation shall focus on:
 Facts and data of the present case
 Early criminal history and if he or she is recidivist or habitual delinquent, the facts about his/her
attitudes and behavior while confined in other institutions
 Biography
 Medical history
 Vocational, recreational, education and religious interest
 Psychological characteristics as evaluated by the psychiatrist
DISCIPLINARY BOARD
A disciplinary board shall be organized and maintained by jails for the porpuse of hearing disciplinary cases
involving any inmates who violate jail rules and regulations.
It shall composed of the following:
 Chairman- Assistant warden
 Member - Chief, Security Officer
 Member - Medical officer/Public health officer
 Member - Jail chaplain
 Member - Social Worker/ Rehabilitation officer
 Member – Inmate’s representative
DUTIES OF DISCIPLINARY BOARD
The board is tasked to investigate the facts of an alleged misconduct reffered to it. It shall hold sessions as often
as necessary in a room which may be provided for the porpuse. All cases referred to it shall be heard and
decided within 48 hours from the date of receipt of the case.
PUNISHABLE ACTS
MINOR OFFENSES
 Selling or bartening with fellow inmates those items not classified as contrabands.
 Rendering personal service to fellow inmates.
 Untidy or dirty personal appearance.
 Littering or failing to maintain cleanliness and orderliness in is orher quarters or surroundings.
 Making frivolous or groundless complaints.
 Taking the cudgels for reporting complaints on behalf of other inmates.
 Late in formation during headcounts without justifiable reasons
 Willful waste of food
LESS GRAVE OFFENSES
 Failure to report for work detail of sentenced inmates without justifiable reason;
 Failure to render assistance to an injured personnel or inmates;
 Failure to assist in putting out fires inside the jail;
 Behaving improperly or acting boisterously during religious, social and other group functions; 5.
Swearing, cursing or using profane or defamatory language directed at other persons;
 Malingering or pretending to be sick to escape work assignment;
 Spreading rumors or malicious intrigues to besmirch the honor of any person, particularly to any BJMP
personnel;
 Failure to stand at attention and give due respect when confronted by or reporting to any BJMP
personnel;
 Forcing fellow inmates to render personal service;
 Exchanging uniforms or wearing clothes other than those issued for the purpose of circumventing jail
rules;
 Loitering or being in an unauthorized place;
 Using the telephone without the authority from the Desk Officer/ Warden;
 Writing, defacing, or drawing on walls, floors, or any furniture or equipment;
 Withholding information which may be inimical or prejudicial to the jail administration;
 Possession of lewd or pornographic literature or photograph;
 Absence from cell, brigade, place of work during headcount, or at any time without justifiable reason;
and
 Failure to turn over any implement/article issued after work.
GRAVE OFFENSES
 Making untruthful statements or lies in any official communication, transaction or investigation;
 Keeping or concealing keys or locks of places in the jail which are off-limits to inmates;
 Giving gifts, selling or bartering with jail personnel;
 Keeping in possession money, jewelry, cigarettes, cellular phones or other communication devices or
other items classified as contraband under the rules;
 Tattooing others or allowing yourself to be tattooed on any part of the body, or keeping any
paraphernalia to be used in tattooing;
 Forcibly taking or extorting money from fellow inmates and visitors;
 Punishing or inflicting injury or any harm upon oneself or other inmates;
 Receiving, keeping, selling, taking or drinking liquor and prohibited drugs;
 Making, improvising or keeping any kind of deadly weapon;
 Concealing or withholding information on plans of attempted escapes;
 Unruly conduct and flagrant disregard of discipline and instructions;
 Escaping, attempting or planning to escape from the institution or from any guard; 13. Helping, aiding
or abetting others to escape;
 Fighting or causing any disturbance or participating therein and/or agitating fellow inmates to cause
such disturbance or riot;
 Indecent, immoral or lascivious acts by oneself or allowing oneself to be the subject of such indecent,
immoral or lascivious acts;
 Willful disobedience to a lawful order issued by any BJMP personnel;
 Assaulting any BJMP personnel;
 Damaging any government property or equipment;
 Participating in any kangaroo court, an unauthorized or irregular court conducted with disregard for or
perversion of legal procedures as a mock court;
 Affiliating with any gang or faction whose main purpose is to foment regionalism or to segregate from
others;
 Engaging in gambling or in any game of chance;
 Failing to inform the authorities concerned when afflicted with any communicable disease, such as
tuberculosis, sexually transmitted disease, etc.
 Committing any act which is in violation of any law or ordinance, in which case, you may be prosecuted
criminally in accordance with law;
 Committing any act prejudicial to good order and discipline; and
  Engaging in illicit relationship with personnel.
4 MAJOR PROGRAMS OF BJMP
 PDL custody, security and control program- The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is mandated
to direct, supervise and control the administration and operation of all district, city and municipal jails
nationwide with pronged tasks of safekeeping and development of Persons Deprived of Liberty
 PDL welfare and development program- Welfare and Development Programs - are set of physical,
psychological, intellectual, vocational and spiritual activities or interventions that facilitate. PDL well-
being and enhancement in accordance with the accepted social. Norms and ethical standards.
 Decongestion program- The BJMP has also launched its own OPLAN Decongestion Programme
which seeks to help inmates avail themselves of the benefits of the applicable laws and such other
legally recognized means for their early release from incarceration.
 Good governance.
CORE PROGRAMS
A. Provisions of Basic Needs
All PDL under custody are provided with three (3) meals (breakfast, lunch and supper). Adequate supply of
potable water is made available to them at all times. Likewise, upon admission, each PDL is issued his or her
PDL uniform consisting of the yellow shirt and brown jogging pants. Hygiene kits are also distributed to the
PDL on monthly or quarterly basis. Occasionally, the provision of basic needs for the PDL is supplemented by
the food and non-food donations from local government units, non-government organizations, business sector
and private individuals.
B. Health Services
Health services for PDL consist of interventions towards the prevention, promotion, treatment of illnesses and
rehabilitation. All PDL undergo medical assessment upon admission. During confinement, PDL are provided
with health education and counseling, medical consultations, regular health monitoring, and provided medicines
subject to availability. To maintain the physical health of PDL, they are allowed daily sunning and physical
exercises.
C. Educational Program
The educational program aims to provide opportunities for PDL to achieve mandatory education. For this
reason, BJMP adopted the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of the Department of Education for the PDL to
earn their elementary and high school diplomas. Teachers in the jail-based ALS are BJMP Personnel who are
professional teachers and trained on the Instructional Method for ALS. In jails where there are no personnel
trained to handle ALS classes, the ALS teachers would be coming from the Department of Education. All PDL
enrolled in the ALS earn their respective Time Allowance for Teaching, Studying and Mentoring (TASTM)
pursuant to RA 10592.
D. Skills Training/ Enhancement Program
The objective of the skills training program is to equip the PDL with technical/vocational skills which they can
use in seeking employment or starting their own business after release from confinement. To make the PDL as
competitive as other potential job seekers, the skills trainings preferred are those accredited by the Technical
Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) so that the PDL will be able to earn National
Certifications. Thus, only the PDL who meet the eligibility requirements of the specific skills training program
being offered can participate.
E. Livelihood Program
The livelihood program presents income-generating activities to PDL during their confinement where they are
able to earn for their personal upkeep and for financial support to their families. The capital for the livelihood
project are either from BJMP for BJMP-funded projects or from the common fund of a group of PDL for non-
BJMP funded projects. Examples of continuing and most popular livelihood projects of PDL are bags and
purses, bonsai made of beads, pastries, rugs, paper crafts, and wood crafts. To help the PDL earn from these
livelihood projects, the jail unit Welfare and Development Officer (UWDO) facilitates the sale of the products
in display centers or livelihood caravans organized by the local government units and other service providers.
In addition, online or e-marketing of PDL products is also run by the jail unit Welfare and Development Office.
F. Behavioral Management/ Modification Program
BJMP implements the Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP) to manage and modify behaviors of
PDL with the goal of positively changing their thinking and behavior through structured group processes. The
program endeavors to teach and model positive thinking, pro-social values, good decision-making, and positive
coping. Through the program, PDL are trained on socially acceptable ways of behaving and relating with their
fellow PDL and with personnel and visitors thereby fostering a therapeutic jail environment and maintaining a
peaceful communal atmosphere.
G. Interfaith Program
PDL are provided with the opportunity to practice their faith while under custody without discrimination,
subject only to usual safety and security measures. The BJMP chaplains and imams provide different religious
services such as but not limited to mass celebrations, communal prayers, spiritual counseling, catechism, and
others. Religious organizations and their respective ministers/pastors and leaders are accredited by BJMP to
facilitate their regular contact with PDL for the provision of religious services.
H. Cultural and Sports Program
The cultural program aims to promote camaraderie among PDL, encourage the development of self-confidence
and sharing of cultural talents as form of positive entertainment. Cultural activities allowed in jails include
dance, singing, theatre/drama, and art workshops. Also, through this program, PDL experience some sense of
social normalcy through the communal celebrations of socio-cultural events like birthdays, Valentine’s Day,
Mothers’ and Fathers’ Day, Christmas, Lent and Easter, Ramadan, local festivals and other similar activities.
I. Paralegal Program
The main objective of the Paralegal Program is to address the overcrowding in jail facilities. Through the
paralegal program, PDL are assisted in availing of the different early modes of release. Regional and jail
paralegal officers conduct continuous informative seminars/orientations to PDL on their rights, modes of early
release, and other paralegal/legal remedies which can be availed of by them. Other paralegal services include
paralegal counseling and case follow-up in the courts by the jail paralegal officers.
J. E-Dalaw
The E-DALAW service is an alternative to the traditional face-to-face visitation between PDL and respective
families. This service enables the PDL to connect with his/her family through a supervised video call and chat.
The program is conceptualized specifically to cater to PDL whose family members cannot go to the jail for
actual visit because of the long distance to the jail from the residence or workplace of the family members.
However, in case of jail lockdown by reason of public health emergency where visitation is suspended, all PDL
are allowed to use the e-dalaw to communicate with their families on equitable rotation basis.
SUPPORT SERVICES
A. Human Rights Desks
Every jail facility operates a 24-hour Human Rights Desk handled by a designated Human Rights Affairs
Officer. The main function of the Human Rights Desk is to receive complaints concerning human rights
violations from PDL and visitors and to report the complaints thru the appropriate reporting system to the
concerned BJMP offices and to the Commission on Human Rights for investigation and appropriate action.
B. Help Desk
In line with the government’s policy of providing timely and speedy access to government services, each jail
facility has established its own Help Desk managed by a designated Held Desk Officer. The Help Desk
functions as a referral unit where PDL and visitors can lodge their request for assistance concerning personal or
family needs. These requests are evaluated by the Help Desk Officer and all requests for assistance that cannot
be addressed by the jail are referred to the concerned government agencies for appropriate action.
C. Referrals for Aftercare
Although BJMP recognizes the importance of aftercare program for PDL to be released for them to start a new,
it is limited only to providing welfare and developmental programs to PDL while they are in custody.
Nevertheless, to ensure continuity of care of PDL upon release, the jail unit Welfare and Development Officer
facilitate referrals to different community resources. These referrals addressed to the local government units,
non-government organizations and the business sector usually include but not limited to seeking immediate
financial assistance for PDL’s repatriation, employment/livelihood assistance, and educational/vocational
training scholarships, medical and psychological interventions.
SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR VULNERABLE GROUPS
A. Services for Pregnant PDL
Pregnant PDL, by reason of their medical condition, are given special attention by the jail nurses to ensure
compliance to pre-natal and post-natal care, timely provision of other pregnancy-related needs, and assistance
for the care of the newborn until the latter is endorsed to the immediate family or accredited child-caring
agency.
B. Services for Senior Citizen PDL and PDL with Disabilities
In addition to implementing measures to protect the senior citizen PDL and PDL with disabilities from
discrimination and establishing functional priority lanes for them, the primary policy is to link them to the local
Office of Senior Citizen Affairs Office (OSCA) and Person with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) for the
acquisition of their respective Identification Cards. The respective identification cards issued by the local
government unit are the PDL’s access key to the different services for senior citizens and persons with
disabilities mandated by the Senior Citizen’s Act and Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities.
C. Services for PDL with other Special Needs
PDL who are members of the LGBT community maybe segregated from the general population in terms of
housing to prevent potential mistreatments towards them by reason of their gender expression and other
vulnerabilities. Nevertheless, they receive the same programs and services provided to the general population
and they are encouraged to participate fully in the socio-cultural activities of the jail.
D. Mental Health Services
In general, preventive mental health aimed at reducing incidence of mental health disorders and developing
positive coping mechanisms are provided to all PDL. Preventive mental health interventions include
informative seminars on stress management, psycho-educational counseling and other supportive psychological
group activities. Likewise, psycho-social support services or stress debriefing to address trauma are facilitated
for PDL after the occurrence of untoward jail incidents or in the aftermath of devastating calamities directly
affecting the PDL.
E. Drug Counseling for PDL with Substance use Disorder
PDL with substance use disorder or have history of illegal drug use and who were granted plea bargaining under
A.M. No. 18-03-16 SC, are provided with drug counseling using the Katatagan Kontra Droga sa Komunidad
(KKDK) approach. The KKDK is a psycho-educational drug counseling program developed consisting of
twenty-four (24) modules: eighteen (18) modules to be completed by the PDL in a small group setting with
fellow PDL and six (6) family modules to be participated by the PDL’s family. The drug counseling runs for
maximum duration of four (4) months.
THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY MODALITY PROGRAM
This is a special program that employs a participative, group based treatment approach to the personality
disorders and complex emotional and interpersonal problems. The program helps the inmates live together as a
community of concerned people with high expectations and commitment that foster individual change and
positive growth. If you join the community, you and the other participants will help each other discover and
establish your self-worth, inherent talents and potentials. The goal of the program is to help you gain the ability
to return to the mainstream of society and live a productive life. We wish and expect your participation in this
program.

GCTA
Republic Act 10592 or the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law, allows for a reduction of sentences of
persons deprived of liberty, depending on how well they abide by rules and regulations inside “any penal
institution, rehabilitation, or detention center or any other local jail.”
Republic Act 10592 was enacted in 2013, amending RA 3815 or the Revised Penal Code (RPC). The law
increased the GCTA of prisoners to be credited in the service of their sentence. Last June, the Supreme Court
(SC) ruled that the law should apply retroactively.
It has been in existence since 1906. Act 1533 provided for the “diminution of sentences imposed upon
prisoners” in consideration of good conduct and diligence.
Citing a 1908 decision, the SC said the law served a double purpose: to “encourage the convict in an effort to
reform” and “induce…habits of industry and good conduct” in the person beyond one’s sentence, and “aid to
discipline” various jails and penitentiaries.
What is RA 10592 and how does it work?
In May 2013, then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III signed RA 10592, amending Articles 29, 94, 97, 98,
and 99 of the RPC, which sought to:
 Expand the application of the GCTA to those under preventive imprisonment or those detained prior and
during criminal trial, who are deemed too dangerous for release;
 Increase the number of days that may be credited for GCTA;
 Allow an additional sentence deduction of 15 days for each month of study, teaching, or mentoring
service; and
 Expand the special time allowance for loyalty and make it applicable to those under preventive
imprisonment.
Who can benefit from the law?
Inmates who display “good behavior and [have] no record of breach of discipline or violation of prison rules
and regulations” may be eligible for GCTA, according to the BuCor or operating manual, as cited in the SC
decision.
The IRR (IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATION) of RA 10592 defines good behavior as:
“The conspicuous and satisfactory behavior of a detention or convicted prisoner consisting of active
involvement in rehabilitation programs, productive participation in authorized work activities or
accomplishment of exemplary deeds coupled with faithful obedience to all prison/jail rules and regulations”
Who are excluded from the law?
Recidivists or those who “have been convicted previously twice or more times of any crime,” habitual
delinquents, escapees and persons charged with heinous crimes are excluded from its coverage, according to
section 1 of RA 10592.

PRE-RA 10592 GCTA RA 10592 GCTA

During the first two years of his imprisonment, five During the first two years of imprisonment, twenty
days for each month of good behaviour. days for each month of good behaviour.

During the third to the fifth year, inclusive, eight days During the third to fifth year, twenty-three days for
for each month of good behaviour. each month of good behaviour.

During the following years until the tenth year, During the following years until the tenth year,
inclusive, ten days for each month of good behaviour. inclusive, twenty-five days of each month of good
behaviour.

During the eleventh and successive years of During the eleventh and successive years of his
imprisonment, fifteen days for each month of good imprisonment, thirty days for each month of good
behaviour; behaviour

At any times during the period of imprisonment,