Foreword HE STATE of penal institutions in the Philippines continues to be a serious human rights concern. Congestion and poor sanitation within penal facilities, w hether these are detention centers, jails or prisons, are very real problems, as is the development of informal hierarchical communities within them outside the ambit of the penal administration. This practice often employs v iolence as a means of discipline further exacerbating conditions. The challenges facing a jail warden, a human rights advocate, and other stakeholders seeking to confront and address these problems are myriad. T This baseline study, the author of which speaks from years of dedicated study to penal management and his own experience that is groundbreaking in its scope and aims. as it identifies the everyday problems facing the administrators of penal institutions and proposes innovative solutions. These solutions are not only practical and culturally appropriate, but are based on human rights. This study provides a holistic look at the management of penal institutions that takes into account not only the welfare of the persons deprived of liberty but of the administrators and staff of penal institutions as well. The Commission on Human Rights encourages detention authorities to carefully consider the innovat ive solutions and methods propounded by this study, w hich could ultimately work to the benefit not only of the inmates but of the employees of the various penal institutions as well. Reforming the penal system is no small endeavor, and adopting and implementing a truly human rights based approach such as that proposed in this study could go a long way towards fostering an environment in correctional facilities that is truly rehabilitative rather than being merely punitive. 2 ( commission 0() 1-lurnah 'Rjgbts L i brarY l JOSE LUIS MARTIN C. GASCON Chairperson -....