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Lesson 260 min read
Jail Management & Administration
Inmate Classification, Commitment Procedures & Jail Operations
In This Lesson
Types of Inmates
Understanding the different types of inmates is essential for proper jail management and determining appropriate handling procedures.
Detention Prisoners
Those undergoing investigation or awaiting trial.
- Presumed innocent until proven guilty
- Have not yet been convicted
- May be released on bail (if bailable offense)
- Constitute majority of jail population
Sentenced Prisoners
Those convicted and serving sentence (3 years or below for BJMP jails).
- Found guilty by the court
- Serving sentences of up to 3 years
- Sentences above 3 years are transferred to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)
- Eligible for GCTA (Good Conduct Time Allowance)
Safekeeping Inmates
Those temporarily held for safekeeping purposes.
- Witnesses needing protection
- Persons under protective custody
- Mental patients awaiting transfer
- Held upon court order
Inmate Classification
Security Classification
Maximum Security
- * High escape risk
- * Violent tendencies
- * High-profile cases
- * Recidivists
- * Gang leaders
Medium Security
- * Moderate escape risk
- * Non-violent offenders
- * First-time offenders
- * Good behavior record
- * Cooperative inmates
Minimum Security
- * Low escape risk
- * Minor offenses
- * Near release date
- * Trusted inmates
- * May work outside
Special Categories
- Pregnant women - Special medical attention
- Elderly inmates - 60 years and above
- PWDs - Special accommodations needed
- CICL - Children in Conflict with the Law
- Mentally ill - Medical/psychiatric care
- Communicable diseases - Isolation required
Commitment Procedures
1
Reception
Receive and verify commitment order/warrant of arrest from authorized officer
2
Verification of Documents
Check validity of commitment order, mittimus, and other legal documents
3
Body Search
Thorough search for contraband; document all personal belongings
4
Medical Examination
Health assessment, check for injuries, communicable diseases
5
Photographing and Fingerprinting
Take mugshots and fingerprints for identification records
6
Orientation
Brief inmate on jail rules, rights, and responsibilities
7
Classification and Assignment
Classify inmate and assign to appropriate cell/brigade
Important Documents Required
- Commitment Order - Issued by the court for convicted prisoners
- Mittimus - Order of commitment to jail
- Warrant of Arrest - For detention prisoners
- Information/Complaint - Details of charges
Jail Operations
Daily Routine
- * Head count (multiple times daily)
- * Roll call and inspection
- * Meal distribution
- * Exercise/sunning time
- * Lights out schedule
Visitation
- * Scheduled visiting hours
- * Visitor registration
- * Search of visitors
- * Supervised visits
- * Conjugal visits (for sentenced)
Cell Searches
- * Regular greyhound operations
- * Search for contraband
- * Cell inspection
- * Documentation of findings
Movement Control
- * Court appearances
- * Hospital escorts
- * Transfer of inmates
- * Release procedures
Documentation & Records
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Carpeta | Individual inmate file containing all records |
| Jail Blotter | Daily log of all jail activities and incidents |
| Commitment Order | Legal document authorizing detention |
| Property Receipt | Record of inmate's personal belongings |
| Visitors Log | Record of all visitors to inmates |
| Release Order | Authorization for inmate release |
Inmate Rights
Basic Rights
- * Right to humane treatment
- * Right to adequate food and water
- * Right to medical attention
- * Right to communicate with family
- * Right to legal counsel
Protected Rights
- * Freedom from torture
- * Freedom from cruel punishment
- * Right to due process
- * Right to religious worship
- * Right to file complaints
Prohibited Acts Against Inmates
- Physical abuse or corporal punishment
- Denial of food or water as punishment
- Prolonged solitary confinement
- Denial of medical treatment
- Any form of torture or cruel treatment
Key Takeaways
- ✓Detention prisoners are presumed innocent; sentenced prisoners serve up to 3 years in BJMP jails
- ✓Security classification: Maximum, Medium, and Minimum
- ✓Commitment requires proper documentation: Commitment Order, Mittimus, Warrant of Arrest
- ✓Carpeta is the individual inmate file; Jail Blotter is the daily activity log
- ✓Inmates retain basic human rights even while detained