Law Summary
Declaration of Policy
- Emphasizes welfare and rights of inmates.
- Focus on reformation and social reintegration adhering to international standards.
- Provides for modernization, professionalization, restructuring of BuCor.
- Personnel benefits standardized to be comparable with BJMP counterparts.
Definition of Key Terms
- Defines terms such as "Act," "Admission," "Base Pay," "BuCor," "Classification," "Competent Authority," "Inmate," and various security statuses.
- Clarifies scope of "National Inmate," reformation and safekeeping concepts.
- Defines key BuCor roles and documents, like Seniority and Lineal List (SLL) and Time-In-Grade.
Mandates of BuCor
- Responsible for safekeeping and reformation of inmates sentenced over 3 years.
- Safekeeping covers provision of basic needs, rights, and security.
- Reformation includes moral/spiritual, education/training, work/livelihood, sports/recreation, health/welfare, and behavior modification programs.
- Corrections Technical Officers conduct reformation programs with professional expertise.
Operations and Structure
- BuCor functions through Directorates: Reception and Diagnostics (DRD), Security and Operations, Reformation, and External Relations (DER).
- Inmate classification based on security risk, crimes, and behavioral assessments.
- Admission requires specified legal documents; females admitted only at Correctional Institution for Women.
- Security operations aim to prevent violence, maintain custody, enforce laws, and recover fugitives.
- DER manages pre-release and post-release programs for reintegration.
- BuCor operates like a standard government agency with administrative directorates and computerized inmate record systems.
Land Control and Management
- BuCor lands used for security, reformation, and sustainability programs.
- Authority to develop land use plans aligned with national policies.
- Encourages agricultural use for food self-sufficiency.
- Proposes establishment of additional penal farms to decongest existing facilities.
- All lands are to be registered with Certificates of Title.
Facilities
- Uniform prison, reformation, and administrative facility standards.
- Facilities include dormitories, administrative buildings, perimeter fencing with electronic security, hospitals, recreation halls, classrooms, workshops, kitchens, visitor areas, conjugal facilities, water supply, reception and diagnostic centers, staff quarters, external relations centers, courtrooms, and transient quarters.
- Compliance with building codes and accessibility laws required.
Supervision
- DOJ provides administrative supervision over BuCor.
- DOJ retains authority to review or modify BuCor decisions, especially regarding inmate outside movements.
Organization and Key Positions
- Headed by a Director General with three Deputy Directors for administration, security, and reformation.
- Key ranks correspond with government rank classifications.
- DBM tasked to rationalize staffing consistent with law.
Personnel Build-Up
- Personnel to inmate ratios: 1:7 for custodial staff (3 shifts), 1:24 for reformation staff (1 shift).
- Authorized to increase manpower as needed.
Professionalization and Qualification Standards
- Minimum qualifications include citizenship, moral character, education (baccalaureate degree), health tests, civil service eligibility, height and age requirements.
- Waivers allowed for cultural community applicants.
- Five-year period to comply with educational requirements for incumbents.
- Establishment of Corrections Training Institute and possible Philippine Corrections Academy.
- Distinct basic courses for custodial and reformation officers.
Appointment Procedures
- Corrections Officers appointed by Director General and attested by CSC.
- Director General and Deputies appointed by the President following DOJ recommendation.
- Lateral entries allowed for specialized technical professionals with specific requirements.
- Transfers between custodial and technical roles permitted subject to qualification and training.
Professionalization for Key Positions
- Specifies qualification standards for supervisory and managerial positions including educational requirements and training.
- Five years given for incumbents to comply.
Professionalization and Upgrading Programs
- DOJ and BuCor to establish educational programs with CSC and CHED coordination.
- Educational assistance and review for eligibility exams provided.
Attrition System
- Personnel can be separated or retired due to demotion without reassignment, non-promotion for 10 years, inefficiency, incapacity, or failure to meet training and eligibility requirements.
- Criteria aimed at sustaining efficiency and professionalism.
Promotion System
- Promotion based on merit, qualifications, and availability of positions.
- Gender-fair policy ensuring equal opportunities.
- Uses Seniority Lineal List for promotion ranking.
- Special promotion recognizes acts of courage or distinguished service.
Performance Evaluation
- System to assess individual efficiency and discipline.
- Includes psychological and physical fitness results.
Salaries and Benefits
- Standardized base pay and ranks aligned with BJMP.
- Detailed rank equivalences provided.
- Retirement benefits computed on higher rank basis.
Funding
- Implements funding from BuCor budget, clearances, income from projects, agro-production, and handicraft industries.
- Additional funds from the General Appropriations Act.
Implementation and Transitory Provisions
- Phased implementation not exceeding five years.
- Personnel Development Committee to oversee training and qualifications.
- Incumbents given transitional titles and options for retirement.
- Training programs to transition personnel from civilian to uniformed service culture.
- Facility audits mandated.
Annual Reporting
- Annual reports to Congress on implementation and budget application.
- Periodic salary reviews every five years considering economic factors.
Final Provisions
- Separability clause ensures unaffected provisions remain valid if parts are invalidated.
- Repeals inconsistent orders and regulations.
- Effectivity fifteen days after publication and filing.