PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PRISONERS

            The following Principles shall be observed governing the administration of prisoners/detainees in the Philippines:

a.       No procedure or system of correction shall deprive any offender of the hope and the possibility of his ultimate return to full and responsible membership in society;

b.      Until the guilt of the suspected offender has been established in court, he should be considered innocent and his right as a free citizen should be respected, except for such restraints as is indispensable for his confinement.

c.       The maintenance of human dignity to which we subscribe as well as the purpose of rehabilitation require that the prisoner/detainee while under the jurisdiction of the law enforcement and correctional agencies, be accorded the generally accepted standards of decent living and human treatment.

d.      The preservation of health and the prompt treatment of illness or injury is a basic right of every person confined in jail.

e.      The religious belief and moral precepts not contrary to law, which a prisoner/detainee holds, must be respected.

f.        Members of the custodial force shall set themselves as examples by performing their duties well to influence the prisoners/detainee to reform for good and obey and respect the laws and the duly constituted authorities.

g.       Jail personnel shall avoid the use of abusive and indecent language to the prisoner/detainee particularly in the presence of his family and friends.

h.      No jail personnel shall use force except in legitimate self-defence or in case of attempted escape to hold the prisoner/detainee or in case of active and passive physical resistance to a lawful order.

i.         No penalty shall be imposed upon any prisoner/detainee for the violation of any rules and regulations except accordance with the duly approved and adopted disciplinary procedures.

j.        Penalties shall be cruel, inhuman, or degrading, and no corporal punishment shall be employed as correctional measures.

k.       Members of the custodial force must understand the prisoners/detainee need treatment and counselling and the primary purposes of confinement are for reformation and rehabilitation. (BJMP Manual)

    -Manual of Instruction Governing the Administration of Prisoners/Detainees, Their Security and Disposition. The Relationship between Jail Personnel and Prisoners and Other Relevant Matters, Pages 1 and 2)

                                               

                                                                INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS KEYS

1.       The Bureau of Corrections – tasked for the treatment and rehabilitation of national prisoners, which is under the Department of Justice.

2.       Provincial Jails are under the Administration and supervision by their respective provincial governments. (Sec. 61, R.A. No. 6975)

3.       The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) shall exercise supervision and control over all city and municipal jails. (Sec. 61, R.A. 6975)