Baseline Study on the Philippine Penal Conditions: Nurturing a Human Rights Based Approach to Penal Management
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programs include: educational and vocational programs. computer literacy, livelihood, crafts making,
arts and the like. Reentry programs are programs that are intended to prepare inmates for their release.
These programs are most helpful for inmates in the lowest security level (level I) and inmates about
to be released (at least two years before release) . The programs include: w ork furloughs. resume
development, connecting w ith potential employers, locating family members, and reaching out to
victims and community.
All these programs can be offered in the different Housing Levels but with varying emphasis.
Cognitive change programs will be emphasized in Security level Ill, equipping programs in Security
Level II, and reentry program in Security Level I.
The Jails and Prisons, through its Inmates Welfare Development (IWD) (for BJMP Jails) or
Rehabilitation Section (for BuCor Prisons), will supervise the implementation of the programs. The IWD/
Rehabilitation Section will come up with a list of program offerings, the number o f inmates that can be
accommodated in a particular offering, the type of inmates that w ill be accommodated in a program
offering, and the length of time the program will be offered. Non-governmental organizations, religious
groups, and other service providers, must provide a detailed descript ion of their programs. The BuCor
shall evaluate w hether programs are congruent to the overall goals of the institution and these programs
may be approved (or disapproved) for implementation.
As mentioned, good behavior inmates can be tapped a "Peer Mentors" and they can help facilitate
the implementation of the programs. Inmates must be trained and groomed for these roles. They must
serve as role models to other inmates. For inmates to become and remain as " Peer Mentors" , they
should continually exhibit good character and should not be involved in rule infractions. In exchange
for their participation, "Peer Mentors" can be provided w ith more privileges and grant of the GCTA.
The success of the inmate programming depends on the level o f integrity of jail and prison officials.
As such, jail and prison officers should do away with personal fraternization among the inmates. There
should also be a strict prohibition against "matic" (in jails) or "orbit" (in prisons) where guards request
money from the inmates. Jail and prison guards must also do away w ith favoritism and treat the
inmates equally.
e.
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Documentation and Assessment of inmate behaviors
The fourth key domain of effective correctional management is documentation and assessment of
inmate behaviors. This domain ties up all the components and leads
back to inmate reclassification. Effective documentation and assessment
Focus group discussion:
also leads to evidence-based policy making. With the passage of the
GCTA law and the advent of the Single Carpeta33 , the documentation
How do we challenge
must be integrated and simplified.
and resolve common
.........................
arguments and issues
on the absence of
or limitations in the
documentation and filing
systems and registry of
prisoners and detainees?
33
34
In every correctional facility, a Records Unit must be constituted. The
Records Unit will serve as a repository o f all the documents collected
for each and every inmate. These include documents collated from the
court, the detention centers. jails and prisons, or as the stage may be.
Information collected in the classification stage (scores in t he classification
stage, personal history, etc) , participation in inmate program ming, and
The Single Carpeta is an Inmate Management and Information System that aims to i nt egrate the data collected from the police, BJMP, provincial jails,
BuCor, Board of Pardon and Parole a nd the Parole and Probation Office.