Allocation and Disbursement of Compensation
- At least 50% of the accumulated compensation is withheld until the prisoner’s final discharge.
- The remaining balance may be disbursed upon prisoner’s request for family support or personal use, subject to Director of Prisons’ approval.
- A larger proportion can be disbursed if the prisoner furnishes satisfactory proof of necessity.
Rules for Eligibility, Classification, and Forfeiture
- The Secretary of Public Instruction sets rules for eligibility concerning conduct and workmanship classifications and ratings.
- The Secretary also fixes amounts and methods of compensation payments.
- Procedures are defined for forfeiture of accrued compensation due to work neglect or misconduct.
Additional Time Credits for Penal Colonists and Trusties
- Prisoners with the classification of penal colonists or trusties, working without armed guard surveillance and with exemplary conduct, may be credited with 5 extra days per month.
- These credits add to the good conduct time credits from Act No. 1533.
Modification of Life Sentences
- Life-sentenced prisoners classified as penal colonists or trusties have their sentence modified automatically to thirty years upon executive approval.
- This modification permits application of regular and special good conduct time credits.
Forfeiture of Special Credits and Sentence Modifications
- Forfeitures align with Act No. 1533 provisions.
- Return to imprisonment for misconduct results in the loss of all special credits and sentence modifications.
- Additional forfeitures or punishments may apply.
Extension of Benefits to First-Class Workmen in Bilibid Prison
- With executive approval and Director of Prisons’ recommendation, first-class workmen who have served a portion of their sentence may obtain penal colonist or trusty status.
- Eligibility requires serving one-fifth of the sentence or seven years for life sentences.
- Prisoners must petition in writing to remain in the industrial division.
- No benefit during the first two years unless authorized for special reasons.
Exclusion of Repeat Offenders
- Prisoners with two or more prior convictions of any crime or misdemeanor are excluded from these benefits.
Retroactive Application
- Benefits apply retroactively to prisoners classified as penal colonists prior to the Act’s passage from the date such classification was conferred.
Repeal of Conflicting Laws
- All existing laws or parts thereof conflicting with this Act are repealed.
Effective Date
- The Act becomes effective January 1, 1915.