Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 10575)
Republic Act No. 10575 is known as "The Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013."
The State aims to promote the general welfare and safeguard the basic rights of every prisoner in the national penitentiary. It also commits to modernizing, professionalizing, and restructuring the Bureau of Corrections by upgrading facilities and personnel qualifications.
Safekeeping refers to ensuring that national inmates receive their basic needs, are completely incapacitated from further criminal acts, and are cut off from criminal networks while serving their sentence, including protection against illegal armed groups.
Reformation refers to rehabilitative acts ensuring that released national inmates are reformed individuals prepared to live a normal, productive life upon reintegration into society.
The Bureau of Corrections is charged with the safekeeping and reformation of national inmates sentenced to more than three (3) years.
The programs are: 1) Moral and Spiritual Program; 2) Education and Training Program; 3) Work and Livelihood Program; 4) Sports and Recreation Program; 5) Health and Welfare Program; 6) Behavior Modification Program including Therapeutic Community.
A person must be a Filipino citizen, of good moral character, passed psychiatric/psychological, drug and physical tests, hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution, have civil service eligibility, not dishonorably discharged, no conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, and meet specified height and age requirements with some exceptions for cultural communities.
The custodial personnel-to-inmate ratio must be 1:7, and the reformation personnel-to-inmate ratio must be 1:24.
They shall serve a tour of duty not to exceed six (6) years from the date of appointment, with possible extension during times of war or national emergency declared by Congress.
Separation may occur due to demotion without reassignment to a commensurate position within two years, non-promotion for ten continuous years, inefficiency based on poor performance ratings, physical/mental incapacity, or failure to complete required courses without justifiable cause.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains administrative supervision over the BuCor as provided by Section 38(2), Chapter 7, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292.
The ranks include Corrections Chief Superintendent, Corrections Senior Superintendent, Corrections Superintendent, Corrections Chief Inspector, Corrections Senior Inspector, Corrections Inspector, and various levels of Corrections Officers and Corrections Technical Officers.
Being non-Filipino, poor moral character, failing health tests, lack of required educational qualifications, dishonorable discharge or dismissal, conviction of crimes involving moral turpitude, or failure to meet age and height requirements without exemption.
Promotion is merit-based, contingent on availability of vacant ranks, qualification standards, and passing necessary tests. Acts of conspicuous courage may also warrant promotion, subject to validation by DOJ and CSC.
The President of the Philippines appoints them upon the recommendation of the Secretary of the Department of Justice and endorsement from the Civil Service Commission Chairman.