Correctional Administration
"Future Penologist! Para maging mahusay sa corrections field, kailangan mong master ang theories of punishment, penal management, at rehabilitation - lahat ng kailangan para ma-reform ang mga PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty)!"
1. Introduction to Corrections 🏛️
Corrections is the branch of the Criminal Justice System that deals with the custody, supervision, and rehabilitation of convicted offenders.
⚖️ The Criminal Justice System (Pillar Analogy):
1. Law Enforcement
PNP, NBI
2. Prosecution
DOJ, Fiscals
3. Courts
Judiciary
4. Corrections
BJMP, BuCor
5. Community
Probation, Parole
📋 Key Terms
- • PDL: Person Deprived of Liberty (formerly "inmate" or "prisoner")
- • Penology: Study of punishment and prison management
- • Penitentiary: Institution for imprisonment
- • Recidivism: Relapse into criminal behavior after release
2. Theories of Punishment ⚖️
Why do we punish criminals? Different theories provide different justifications and goals.
📊 Classical Theories of Punishment:
| Theory | Focus | Goal | Criticism |
|---|---|---|---|
| RETRIBUTION | "Eye for an eye" - Desert based | Offender deserves punishment | Doesn't reform |
| DETERRENCE | Fear of punishment | Prevent future crimes (General/Specific) | Assumes rationality |
| INCAPACITATION | Physical restraint | Protect society by removing offender | Expensive, doesn't reform |
| REHABILITATION | Treatment/reform | Change offender behavior | Success varies |
| REINTEGRATION | Community return | Prepare for productive life after release | Requires support systems |
🎯 General Deterrence
Punishing ONE offender to discourage OTHERS from committing crimes. Example: Public executions in history.
🔄 Specific Deterrence
Punishing offender so THE SAME PERSON won't commit crime again. Making punishment "memorable."
3. Philippine Correctional Agencies 🏢
Sa Pilipinas, dalawa ang main correctional agencies: BJMP at BuCor. Importante malaman ang pagkakaiba!
📊 BJMP vs BuCor Comparison:
| Aspect | BJMP (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology) | BuCor (Bureau of Corrections) |
|---|---|---|
| Created Under | RA 6975 (1991) | Administrative Code of 1987 |
| Attached To | DILG | DOJ |
| Facility Type | JAILS (city/municipal/district) | PRISONS (national penitentiaries) |
| Handles | Pre-trial detainees; Sentenced to 3 years & below | Sentenced to MORE than 3 years |
| Head | Chief, BJMP (Jail Director rank) | Director General, BuCor |
| Examples | Manila City Jail, Quezon City Jail | New Bilibid Prison, Correctional Institution for Women |
🔒 BuCor Facilities (7 Penal Colonies)
- • New Bilibid Prison (NBP) - Muntinlupa
- • Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) - Mandaluyong
- • Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm - Palawan
- • Davao Prison and Penal Farm
- • San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm - Zamboanga
- • Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm - Occidental Mindoro
- • Leyte Regional Prison
📋 Other Detention Facilities
- • PNP Custodial Center: Temporary detention (max 3 days)
- • Provincial Jails: Under Provincial Government
- • NBI Detention Facility
- • Military Detention Facilities
- • PDEA Detention Facility: Drug cases
💡 Memory Tip: The "3-Year Rule"
Think of it as: BJMP = "Below" 3 years, BuCor = "Beyond" 3 years
4. Classification of PDLs 📋
Proper classification ensures security, appropriate treatment, and rehabilitation programs.
📊 Classification by Sentence:
| Classification | Sentence Length | Facility |
|---|---|---|
| INSULAR/NATIONAL PRISONER | More than 3 years | BuCor facilities |
| PROVINCIAL PRISONER | 6 months + 1 day to 3 years | Provincial Jail |
| CITY/MUNICIPAL PRISONER | 1 day to 6 months | City/Municipal Jail |
🔐 Security Classification:
MAXIMUM SECURITY
- • Escape risk
- • Violent offenders
- • High-profile cases
- • Death row
MEDIUM SECURITY
- • Moderate risk
- • Served time without incident
- • More privileges
- • Work details
MINIMUM SECURITY
- • Low risk
- • Good behavior
- • Nearing release
- • Open camps
5. Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) ⏰
GCTA allows reduction of sentence for PDLs who exhibit good behavior. Updated under RA 10592 (2013).
📊 GCTA Rates (RA 10592):
| Behavior | During Preventive Imprisonment | 1st 2 Years | 3rd-5th Year | Following Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | 20 days/month | 20 days/month | 23 days/month | 25 days/month |
| Very Good | 23 days/month | 23 days/month | 25 days/month | 28 days/month |
| Exemplary | 25 days/month | 25 days/month | 28 days/month | 30 days/month |
✅ Additional GCTA Credits
- • Special GCTA: For work, study, teaching
- • Loyalty GCTA: For not escaping during calamity/riot
- • Educational GCTA: Completing educational programs
❌ Disqualified from GCTA
- • Recidivists and Habitual Delinquents
- • Those who escaped
- • Those sentenced to death (commuted)
- • Heinous crime offenders (under RA 11362)
6. Community-Based Corrections 🏘️
Alternative to imprisonment - offenders serve sentence in the community under supervision.
📊 Probation vs Parole:
| Aspect | PROBATION (PD 968) | PAROLE (Act 4103) |
|---|---|---|
| When Given | BEFORE imprisonment (instead of jail) | AFTER serving minimum sentence |
| Who Grants | Court (trial court judge) | Board of Pardons and Parole |
| Eligibility | Sentence not exceeding 6 years | Served minimum sentence (usually 1/3) |
| Application | Within 15 days from promulgation | After serving minimum sentence |
| Supervised By | Probation Officer (Parole and Probation Admin) | Parole Officer |
🚫 Disqualified from Probation
- • Sentenced to more than 6 years
- • Convicted of subversion or offense against national security
- • Previously convicted of offense with imprisonment > 1 month
- • Already on probation
- • Already served maximum imprisonment
- • Those who appealed their conviction
📋 Other Release Mechanisms
- • Executive Clemency: Pardon (absolute/conditional), Amnesty, Commutation, Reprieve
- • Conditional Pardon: Released with conditions
- • Commutation: Reduction of sentence
- • Amnesty: For political offenses (by President with Congress)
7. Rehabilitation Programs 📚
Rehabilitation aims to transform PDLs into productive, law-abiding citizens upon release.
📖 Educational Programs
- • Literacy programs (reading/writing)
- • Alternative Learning System (ALS)
- • College education through CHED partners
- • TESDA skills training
🔧 Livelihood Programs
- • Carpentry, welding, masonry
- • Agriculture/farming
- • Handicrafts
- • Food processing
🙏 Spiritual Programs
- • Religious services
- • Values formation
- • Moral recovery
- • Counseling
🏃 Recreational Programs
- • Sports activities
- • Cultural shows
- • Arts and crafts
- • Music/band
💡 Therapeutic Community Modality Program (TCMP)
A peer-based rehabilitation approach where PDLs help each other change behavior. Uses group therapy, work therapy, and peer pressure for reform. Widely used for drug rehabilitation in Philippine jails.
📝 Practice Questions
1. What is the main difference between BJMP and BuCor in terms of prisoners handled?
Show Answer
BJMP handles PDLs with sentences of 3 years and below (or awaiting trial), while BuCor handles those with sentences MORE than 3 years. Remember: BJMP = Below 3, BuCor = Beyond 3.
2. What is the difference between Probation and Parole?
Show Answer
Probation is granted BEFORE imprisonment (instead of jail), while Parole is granted AFTER serving minimum sentence in prison. Probation is granted by the court; Parole by the Board of Pardons and Parole.
3. Under RA 10592, what is the maximum GCTA credit per month for exemplary behavior after the 5th year?
Show Answer
30 days per month. This is the maximum GCTA credit available for PDLs with exemplary behavior who have served more than 5 years.
4. Which theory of punishment focuses on reforming offenders to become productive citizens?
Show Answer
REHABILITATION. This theory focuses on treatment and reform of offenders rather than punishment alone. Reintegration theory goes further to prepare them for return to society.
🎯 Exam Strategy Tips
📚 High-Yield Topics:
- ✓ BJMP vs BuCor (3-year rule)
- ✓ Theories of Punishment
- ✓ GCTA rates (RA 10592)
- ✓ Probation vs Parole
- ✓ Classification of prisoners
💡 Memory Tips:
- ✓ "BJMP = Below 3", "BuCor = Beyond 3"
- ✓ "RIDRI" = Retribution, Incapacitation, Deterrence, Rehabilitation, Reintegration
- ✓ Probation = PRE-prison, Parole = POST-prison
- ✓ GCTA "25-28-30" = Exemplary behavior progression
Test Your Knowledge! 🧠
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