DOJ DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR NO. 4

: The purpose is to modify the practice of committing all national prisoners directly to the New Bilibid Prison by allowing their commitment to other national penal institutions closer to the region where the court sits to reduce financial and security burdens.
: Male prisoners sentenced to imprisonment of more than three (3) years are classified as national prisoners under this circular.
: They are to be committed to the Davao Prison and Penal Farm at Panabo, Davao del Norte.
: They should be committed to the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm at Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur.
: They are directed to file a manifestation with the proper court immediately after conviction, requesting the court to commit the prisoner directly to the designated national penal institution based on the prisoner's regional location.
: No, all female national prisoners shall continue to be committed to the Correctional Institution for Women at Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.
: They shall be committed to the New Bilibid Prison at Muntinlupa, Metro Manila.
: Yes, the circular takes effect immediately as of January 15, 1991.
: It minimizes prisoner movement within the national system, reduces financial and security burdens, and enables confinement in prisons closer to prisoners’ families.