Inspection and Oversight of Provincial Jails
- The judge of the Court of First Instance and the provincial board are required to personally inspect the provincial jail.
- Inspections focus on sufficiency, safety, proper accommodation, prisoner health, and the manner of jail maintenance.
- These inspections occur as often as the judge is required to be in the province.
Responsibilities of the Governor and Jailor
- The governor, personally or via an appointed jailor, is responsible for jail management.
- Separate facilities must be maintained for male and female prisoners, except for married couples.
- The provincial board directs and funds the provision of proper food and clothing for prisoners.
- The provincial board allocates a maximum of twenty cents (Mexican) per prisoner per day for feeding, and may contract third parties for this purpose.
Record-Keeping Requirements
- The governor or appointed jailor must maintain a detailed calendar of all prisoners, including:
- Names and place of abode
- Time and cause of commitment
- Authority committing the prisoner
- Physical description
- The calendar must record the time and authority of liberation, escapes (with details), and deaths (with date and cause).
- The president of the provincial board of health must investigate deaths in jail and report causes.
Reporting and Penalties for Non-Compliance
- At the opening of each Court of First Instance term, the governor must submit a copy of the prisoner calendar to the judge.
- Failure or refusal to submit the calendar results in a fine up to five hundred pesos.
Provincial Board Regulations
- The provincial board must create regulations to:
- Prevent the introduction of intoxicating liquors into the jail
- Prohibit gambling and disorderly conduct within the jail
Compensation for Prisoners Under Civil Process
- Support of prisoners arrested on civil process is compensated at twenty cents per day (U.S. money).
- This amount is advanced and taxed as costs according to Act No. 397.
Custody and Evidence of Prisoner's Status
- Officials (governors or sheriffs) keeping prisoners under process requiring court return must keep a certified copy of such process and their return.
- Such documents serve as presumptive evidence of their custody right.
Custody Instruments and Records Management
- All commitment and liberation instruments or certified copies must be endorsed, filed, and kept in a suitable container by the custodian.
- These records are transferred to successors managing the jail.
Alternative Arrangements for Provinces Without Adequate Jail Facilities
- If a province lacks a jail or the jail is insufficient or insecure, the provincial board must arrange to house prisoners in a neighboring province's jail.
- Prisoners held in such neighboring jails retain all legal effects as if confined in their origin province.
Safekeeping of Fugitives from Justice
- Provincial jails may hold fugitives from justice from other provinces.
- Jailors receive the same compensation for these prisoners, paid by the demanding officer and reimbursed as prosecution costs.
Treatment and Separation of Prisoners
- Prisoners must be treated humanely and in ways promoting their reformation.
- Juvenile prisoners should be separated from hardened criminals if facilities allow.
- Visits by parents and friends who seek to exert moral influence are allowed at reasonable times under provincial board regulations.
Work for Able-bodied Male Prisoners
- The provincial board may require able-bodied male prisoners (excluding those awaiting trial) to work on provincial roads or other public works.
- Work is supervised by the provincial supervisor.
- Prisoners are to be appropriately guarded by jailors, deputies, or the Philippine Constabulary.
Repeal of Inconsistent Laws
- All laws, rules, and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed.
Legislative Procedure and Effectivity
- The Act's passage was expedited due to public necessity.
- The Act took effect immediately upon passage.