Question & AnswerQ&A (IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS OF Republic Act No. 10575, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS "BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2013")
The IRR is called the "Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013" and its purpose is to prescribe and apply the necessary rules and regulations for the strengthening of correctional services.
The State aims to promote the welfare and safeguard the rights of inmates by ensuring their reformation and social reintegration, creating conditions conducive for rehabilitation, and complying with international standards for the treatment of prisoners.
A National Inmate is one sentenced by a court to serve imprisonment of more than three years or to pay a fine exceeding P1,000; or sentenced for customs, immigration, or election law violations; or sentenced to multiple terms aggregating more than three years, including those committed for temporary confinement.
The BuCor is mandated to carry out safekeeping of national inmates by providing basic necessities and security and institutionalize reformation programs aimed at inmate rehabilitation.
The reformation programs include Moral and Spiritual Program, Education and Training Program, Work and Livelihood Program, Sports and Recreation Program, Health and Welfare Program, and Behavior Modification Program.
Corrections Technical Officers are professionals who implement reformation programs and maintain direct contact with inmates; they include priests, doctors, social workers, engineers, lawyers and other technical experts.
Inmates are classified according to security risk (maximum, medium, minimum), crimes committed, physical and psychological evaluations, as well as other behavioral assessments conducted by the Directorate for Reception and Diagnostics.
The DOJ exercises administrative supervision over BuCor but retains authority to review, reverse, or modify BuCor decisions particularly on matters like inmates' outside movement, which require DOJ approval.
Qualifications include Filipino citizenship, good moral character, passing health and psychological tests, holding a baccalaureate degree, civil service eligibility, no dishonorable discharge, no conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, and meeting minimum height requirements, among others.
BuCor shall maintain a custodial personnel-to-inmate ratio of 1:7 for three shifts, and a reformation personnel-to-inmate ratio of 1:24 for one shift.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is responsible for approving these qualification standards.
Waivers may be granted for applicants belonging to cultural communities with certification from NCIP or NCMF, upon recommendation by BuCor's Promotion and Selection Board and approval by the Director General of Corrections, with specific minimum height limits set for corrections officers.
Original appointments start at Corrections Inspector or Technical Inspector rank; lateral entry is allowed for highly specialized professionals meeting qualifications, with an age limit and experience requirements, and includes both entry from outside and within BuCor ranks.
Promotion is based on merit, availability of vacancies, meeting qualification standards including training and civil service eligibility, passing physical and psychiatric tests, and consideration of the Seniority Lineal List.
They shall be separated from service or retired if they are 50 years or older with at least 20 years of service.
They include Directorate for Reception and Diagnostics, Security and Operations Directorates, Reformation Directorates, and Directorate for External Relations.
Through the Custodial Force composed of Corrections Officers who handle custody, prevention of violence and crimes, implementation of regulations, and coordinate intelligence support systems.
Standardized prison, reformation, and administrative facilities such as dormitories, administrative buildings, perimeter fences with electronic security, hospital infirmary, recreation halls, training centers, workshops, kitchens, visiting areas, conjugal facilities, and courtrooms.
Funding comes from the BuCor budget, collections from certifications and clearances, income from institutional projects via agreements, and miscellaneous income like penal farm production and inmate handicrafts.
To foster improvement of individual efficiency and behavior, promote organizational effectiveness, and ensure commitment to public service, considering work performance and health assessments.