THE BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY

(BJMP)

JAIL

A place for locking-up of persons who are convicted of minor offenses or

felonies who are to serve a short sentence imposed upon by a competent court,
or for confinement of persons who are awaiting trial or investigation of their
cases.

IMPORTANCE OF JAILS:

1.It serves as a deterrent to would be criminals.

2.It enables the wrongdoer to be reformed and rehabilitated.

TYPES OF JAILS:

I. LOCK-UP JAILS- a security facility, common to police stations, used for

temporary confinement of an individual held for investigation.
II. ORDINARY JAILS- the type of jail commonly used to detain a convicted criminal
offender to serve sentence less than three years.
II. WORKHOUSES, JAIL FARMS OR CAMP- a facility that houses minimum custody
offenders who are serving short sentences or those who are undergoing
constructive work programs. It provides full employment of prisoners, remedial
services and constructive leisure time activities.

Also known as the Jail Bureau, BJMP, an agency under the DILG, was
created pursuant to Section 60, Republic Act No. 6975, which took effect on
January 2, 1991. It is mandated to direct, supervise and control the
administration and operation of all district, city and municipal jails
nationwide.
It has the mission to direct, supervise and control the administration and
operation of all district, city and municipal jails to effect a better system of jail
management nationwide.
R.A. 9263 - Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and
Penology Professionalization act of 2004.
OVERVIEW
As one of the five pillars of the Criminal Justice System, the BJMP was
created to address growing concern of jail management and penology
problem. Primarily, its clients are detainees accused before a court who are
temporarily confined in such jails while undergoing investigation, waiting
final judgement and those who are serving sentence promulgated by the court
3 years and below. As provided for under R.A. No. 6975, the Jail Bureau is
mandated to take operational and administrative control over all city, district
and municipal jails.
The Bureau has four major areas of rehabilitation program, namely:
Livelihood Projects, Educational and Vocational Training, Recreation and
Sports, and Religious/ Spiritual Activities. These were continuously
implemented to eliminate the offenders' pattern of criminal behaviour and to
reform them to become law-abiding and productive citizens.
Although the workplace of the Jail Bureau is confined inside the portals of
jail to safeguard inmates, nonetheless, the Bureau has an inherent function of
informing the public of jail operations and other matters concerning the
corrections pillar of the Philippines. Coincidentally, being a new and growing
Bureau, BJMP aims to keep the public abreast of information regarding jail
management and penology.

HISTORY
On January 2, 1991, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology was
created thru Republic Act 6975 as a line Bureau under the Department of
Interior and Local Government. The Jail Bureau is the upgraded version of its
forerunner, the Office of Jail Management and Penology of the defunct PC/INP
last headed by BRIG GEN Arsenio E. Concepcion.
As mandated by law, the BJMP shall operate under the reorganized
Department of the Interior and Local Government.
Starting from scratch with 500 personnel in 1991 the BJMP weaned from
its mother PC/INP as a mere component, to become a full-fledge bureau.
Director Charles S. Mondejar took his oath of office on July 1 of 1991 as the
first Chief of the Bureau.
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology supervises and controls all
district, city and municipal jails.

MISSION AND VISION

MISSION - The Bureau aims to enhance public safety by providing humane
safekeeping and development of inmates in all district, city and municipal
jails.

VISION - The BJMP envisions itself as a dynamic institution highly regarded

for its sustained humane safekeeping and development of inmates.

BJMP Functions
The Bureau of Corruption is tasked with the following functions:
A. To confine persons who have been convicted of a criminal offense by the
courts to serve sentence in a penal institution.
B. To provide correctional environment which seeks to protect the physical
and emotional well being of offenders.
C. To provide humane treatment by affording them human basic needs the
correctional community and prohibiting cruel methods rehabilitation.
D. To provide opportunities for rehabilitation programs designed to change
the offenders’ pattern of criminal or anti-social behavior.
E. To engage in agro-industrial endeavors to develop penal farms into
productive profit center that employs offender manpower skills and labor and
provide a source of income to supplement the Bureau’s financial outlet.
A. To perform other functions that maybe directed by the Secretary of Justice
of other competent authorities.

In line with its mission, the Jail Bureau endeavors to perform the following
functions:
1.Formulate policies and guidelines in the administration of all district, city,
and municipal jails nationwide;
2. Implement strong security measures for the control of inmates;
3. Provide for the basic needs of inmates;
4. Conduct activities for the development of inmates;
5. Improve jail facilities; and,
6. Promote the general welfare and development of personnel.

After twelve (12) years of existence as a separate agency under the DILG,
the BJMP still shares its responsibilities with the Philippine National Police
(PNP). The involvement, however, of the police in penology and jail
management is a temporary arrangement in view of BJMP’s limited capacity.
MANDATE
BJMP is mandated to direct, supervise and control the administration
and operation of all district, city and municipal jails nationwide with pronged
tasks of safekeeping and development of inmates.

MAJOR PROGRAM
There are four (4) major programs under the mandate of bjmp and they are
the following:
1. Inmates custody, security and control program
2. Inmates welfare and development program
3. Decongestion program
4. Good governance

CORE VALUES
1. Commitment
2. Respect for Human Rights
3. Efficiency/Competence
4. Teamwork

CORE COMPETENCIES
1. Continous skills enhancement of personnel
2. Ability to establish linkages and Parnerships
3. Responsive Planning
4. Timely decision-making
5. Expedient implementation

COVERAGE OF SUPERVISION BY THE JAIL BUREAU

a. City jails

b. Municipal jails

c. District jails

REGIONAL OFFICE
Headed by a Regional Director for Jail Management and Penology, with
the rank of at least Senior Superintendent.
 The Regional Director is assisted by an Assistant Regional Director for
Administration, Assistant Regional Director for Operations, and Regional Chief
of Directorial Staff, who are all officers with the rank of at least
Superintendent.

PROVINCIAL OFFICE
Headed by a Provincial Administrator, to oversee the implementation of
jail services of all district, city and municipal jails within its territorial
jurisdiction. The PA should have a rank of superintendent.

DISTRICT OFFICE
Where there are large cities and municipalities, a district jail with
subordinate jails, headed by a District Warden with the rank of Chief Inspector
in the Bureau May be established necessary.

CITY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICE

In the city and municipal levels, each jail shall be headed by a city or
municipal warden, respectively with the rank of Chief Inspector in the jail
bureau.

Rank Classification of the BJMP

Commissioned Officers: Non-Commissioned Officers

Director Senior Jail Officer 4
Chief Superintendent Senior Jail Officer 3
Senior Superintendent Senior Jail Officer 2
Superintendent Senior Jail Officer 1
Chief Inspector Jail Officer 3
Senior Inspector Jail Officer 2
Inspector Jail Officer 1

BJMP RECEPTION PROCEDURES

As mandated by the BJMP Manual (Rule IV), the Jail Bureau should
observe the following procedures in receiving/admitting a new inmate.
1. Identity Check
2. Examination of Commitment Papers
3. Security Check
4. Accounting of Personal Property
5. Turn-over of Personal Property
 6. Inmate Identification
7. Strip-Search
8. Medical Examination
9. Psychological and Physical
10. Preparation of Medical Record
11. Social Case Study
12. Provision of Jail Clothing
13. Briefing & Orientation
14.Maintenance of Prison Record

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

WARDEN
- He is responsible for the direction, coordination, and control of the
personnel, the inmates and the programs of the institution. He is responsible
for the safety, security, discipline and the well being of his men as well as the
prisoners and sees to the efficient functioning of the institution.

OPERATING UNITS UNDER THE OFFICE OF THE WARDEN:

1. Intelligence and Investigation Team – the team gathers, collects, and
submits intelligence information to the warden on matters pertaining to jail
conditions; plot or plans by the prisoners that may threaten the safety of
personnel and/or disturbed the normal functioning of the institutions and
those that would lead to the eventual capture of escaped prisoners. It is also
tasked with the investigation of all reported cases of violation of laws and
rules and regulations thereto.
2. Jail Inspectorate Section – This section inspects the jail facilities, the
personnel and prisoners and submits reports of deficiencies noted. It helps
the warden in the maintenance of discipline, not only of the personnel but the
inmates as well.
3. Public Relations Office – this is tasked with the maintenance of good public
relations to obtain the necessary and adequate support of the public.

ASSISTANT WARDEN
He is the principal assistant of the warden. He keeps himself
informed to be able to assume command effectively during the warden’s
temporary absence.
He chairs the Disciplinary Board, he hears cases of erring inmates and
recommends the corresponding disciplinary actions thereto.
ADMINISTRATIVE GROUPS
This group take charge of all administrative functions of the jail, keep
records of jail properties, supplies and equipment and maintain personnel
records. It also performs such other functions for the attainment of an
efficient jail administration.
1. Personnel Management Branch – Responsible for the preparation and
maintenance of personnel procedure, assignment of personnel, preparation of
daily personnel report, monthly personnel reports and others. It also
maintains individual record files of personnel.
2. Records and Statistics Branch – keeps and maintains an orderly record of
booking sheet and arrest reports, fingerprint cards, photograph and index
cards of inmates confined in jail in individuals prisoners jacket.
3. Property and Supply Branch – Take charge of the safekeeping of
equipment and supplies in the requisitioning of supplies and materials needed
for the operation of the jail.
4. Budget and Finance Branch – take charge of financial matters especially in
programming, budgeting, accounting, and other activities related to financial
services.
5. Mess Service Branch – take charge of the preparation of the daily menu,
makes foodstuff purchases, prepares and cook the food and serves it to the
inmates.
6. General Service Branch – Responsible for the maintenance and repair of
jail facilities and equipment. It is also tasked with the cleanliness as well as the
beautification of the jail compound.
7. Mittimus Computing Branch – receives court decisions and mittimus and
ascertains by compilation the date of the full completion of service of sentence
of each prisoner for his eventual release from jail. It also prepares transfer
orders of inmates to other penal institutions.

Mittimus – is a warrant issued by a court directing the jail or prison

authorities to receive the convicted offender for the service of the sentence
imposed therein.
- A commitment order is deemed valid or in due form when it bears the
seal of the court and the signature of the issuing judge.

How may a criminal offender be committed in Jail?

A. by virtue of a commitment order issued by the court which may either be in
the forms of a detention or standard mittimus.
B. By order of a competent authority
C. By an arresting officer.

SECURITY GROUP
- Provides the system of sound custody, security and control of inmates
and their movements. It enforces and maintains inmate’s discipline.
1. Escort/subpoena Platoon
A. Escort Section – produce inmates under proper guard to the fiscal/s office,
courts, etc.. upon proper summons. It is also tasked with the transfer of
prisoners from one institution to another upon proper orders of the court or
authority.
B. Subpoena Section – receives, distributes and/or serves subpoenas, notices,
and order, summons and other processes directed to inmates confined in jail.

Subpoena ad testificandum – A command to appear at a certain time and

place to give testimony upon a certain matter.

Subpoena duces tecum – a process by which the court, at the instance

of a party commands a witness who has in his possession or control some
document or paper that is pertinent to the issues of a pending controversy, to
produce it in jail.

Distance of guard from inmates during escorts – If escorting a group of

inmates, a guard shall keep a distance of not less than ten (10) paces from
his charge. Upon arrival at the destination, he shall station himself at a
vantage point where all inmates are within sight and can be properly
controlled.

Escort procedures for court appearance – In escort duties for court

hearing, the Superintendent shall provide at least two (2) guards for every
inmate.

2.Security Platoon - a 3 working platoon shifts responsible for over all

security of the jail compound including gates, guard posts and towers. They
are also responsible for the admitting and releasing unit.

REHABILITATION PURPOSES GROUP - This group provides services and

assistance to prisoners and their families to enable them to solve their
individual needs and problems arising from the prisoners’ confinement.
1. Medical and Health Services Branch
2. Work and Education Therapy Services
3. Socio-cultural Services
4. Chaplain Services
5. Guidance and Counseling Services
6. End of lecture

QUALIFICATIONS OF JAIL OFFICERS ASSIGNED IN KEY POSITIONS IN THE

BUREAU

A.Chief, BJMP
Shall have the rank of director in the jail bureau;
He must be a member of the Philippine Bar; or a holder of Master’s
Degree in national Security Administration or any relevant Master’s
Degree;
He must have an adequate experience in positions of responsibility and
leadership of at least one year in each of the following fields:
1. Operations
2. Administration

B. Deputy Chief
Shall have the rank of Chief Superintendent in the jail bureau;
A member of the Philippine bar; or
A holder of relevant Master’s Degree; or
A Baccalaureate Degree with at least 9 years experience in jail or police work;
He must have an adequate experience in positions of responsibility and
leadership of at least one year for each field in the following:
- Operations
- Administration
- ARD/Chief of Staff/Chief of Division,Central office

C. Regional Director
- Have the rank of Senior Superintendent;
- Must have undergone the Officer’s Executive career Course or its equivalent;
- Must at least be a Bachelor’s Degree holder in law, criminology, psychology,
psychiatry, social work or sociology;
- Must have previously assigned in supervisory position in jail bureau.
D. Provincial Jail Administrator
- Have the rank of superintendent
- Must have undergone the Officer’s Executive Career Course or its equivalent;
must be a bachelor’s degree holder, preferably in law, criminology, psychology,
psychiatry, social work or sociology;
- Have been previously assigned in supervisory position in the jail bureau.

E. District Jail Warden

- Have the rank of Chief Inspector;
- A bachelor’s degree holder, preferably in law, criminology, psychology,
psychiatry, nursing, social work or sociology;
- Must have undergone the Officer’s Advance Course or its equivalent;
- Has been assigned in supervisory position in police or jail service.

F. City and Municipal Jail Warden

- Shall have the rank of Chief Inspector
- Must be a bachelor’s degree holder, preferably in law, criminology, psychology,
nursing, social work or sociology
- Has been assigned in supervisory position in the police or jail service.

Composition of Classification Board/Disciplinary Board in Jail

- Chairman -Assistant Warden
- Members -Chief, security Officer
- Medical Officer/Public Health Officer
- Jail Chaplain
- Social Worker/ Rehabilitation Officer

Oplan decongestion - Oplan decongestion was formalized through the execution

of a memorandum of agreement on February 12, 1993. Agencies Involved: PAO,
BJMP, BPP and NAPROS (Aug. 17, 1993)

Chapter 6
Prison and Jail Programs
1. Prison Education- the corner stone of rehabilitation. It is the process or result
of formal training school or classrooms intended to shape the mind and attitude
of prisoners towards good living upon their release.
The first legal recognition of education in prison was in 1847, New York
Reformatory.

Objective of Prison Education:

A. To return the prisoner to the society with a more wholesome attitude towards
living;
B. To conduct themselves as good citizens; and
C. To give them knowledge and develop their skills to maintain themselves and
their dependents through honest labor.

Classes of Prison Education

1. General and Academic Education

✓ The objective of which is to eradicate illiteracy among prisoners. This could be

the best contribution of correctional system can offer to society.

1. Vocational Education

✓Institutional maintenance works and industrial projects.

✓ The purpose of which is to provide prisoners necessary skills for successful
works in a socially acceptable occupation after their release.

Courses may include:

- Radio mechanics, Auto mechanics, Horticulture, shoe making, tailoring,

carpentry, electronics, etc.

1. Physical Education- designed for those who have physical disabilities.

2. Work Programs- these are programs conducive to change behavior and morale
by training prisoners for a useful occupation. It is purposely to eliminate idleness
on the part of prisoners, which may contribute to “prison Stupor”, and it affects
the incidence of prison riot.
Classification of Prison Work Programs:

1. Education Assignments- prisoners may be assigned to either general education,

vocational or physical education.
2. Maintenance Assignment- this assignment involves related to care and up
keeping of the institution properties.
3. Agricultural and Industrial Assignments
4. Unassignable- prisoners who are nearly to leave the institution, awaiting
transfer, those in disciplinary status, and those who are chronically ill with mental
disabilities are considered Unassignable prisoners.

Female prisoners shall be assigned to work on jobs suitable to their age, sex and
physical conditions. Prisoners over 60 years of age may be excused from hard
work.

2. Religious Services in Prison

- The purpose of this program is to change the attitudes of inmates by inculcating
religious values or belief.

Function of Chaplain:
A. Conduct communion and confession of inmates
B. Conducts religious ministry such as preaching the bible
C. Conduct private and personal counseling in the form of inmate interview
D. Other chaplaincy services

Administrative Function of the Chaplain:

1. Member of the RDC staff
2. Member of the Classification committee
3. Render Evaluation of the BPP

2. Recreational Programs
- The only program that is conducted during free time schedule.

Objectives;
1. Mental and Physical development.
2. Help prisoner to become aware of their individual conditions to provide them a
method of improvement.
3. Development of cooperative competitions.
4. Arouse the interest of the prisoners in recreational programs.
Activities may include: Athletics/Sports, Music and Arts, Social Games, Special
Activities on special events, etc.

2. Medical and Health Services

Medical and Health Services includes:

1. Mental and physical examination
2. Diagnosis and treatment
3. Immunization
4. Sanitary inspection
5. Participation in training

2. Counseling and Case Work

Objectives of Counseling:
1. Immediate solution of specific personal problem.
2. Help inmates to increase self-understanding.

Objectives of Case Work:

1. To obtain clear description of social history.
2. Solving immediate problems involving family problems or other personal
relationship.
3. Assist inmates towards acceptable solutions.
4. Support inmates, who are nearly to be released by giving them guidance or
information.
5. Professional assistance to offenders on probation and parole.

2. Mess Services
- Take charge of the preparation of the daily menu, prepares and cook the food
and serve it to inmates.

Rehabilitation Services in the Jail Bureau

Treatment program
✓ This refers to the jail bureaus approach in rehabilitating offenders while in
prison.
Basic needs of offender
A. The provision for basic psychological needs is the first consideration before any
effective rehabilitation or treatment program can be undertaken.
a. These basic needs are food, clothing, shelter, water, lightning and soap.
b. Food services
c. Shelter or living space
A. Health Services
✓ Diagnosis, Treatment and Medico Dental Patients of the BJMP. Offenders:
a. Clinical abstrat.
b. Pregnant offender – a) parental b) postnatal care
Note: if a child is born in prison, this fact shall not be mentioned in the birth
certificate.
A. Education and Training
1. Adult Basic Educational Program
2. Secondary Educational Program
3. College Educational Program
4. Skill Development
a. Vocational training
b. On the job training
c. Apprenticeship
A. Religious Services, guidance and counseling
B. Recreational and Sport Program
✓One hour if weather so permit.
C. Work Programs
Compensation of inmates:
1. Working in jail agro – industrial projects (regular, seasonal or contractual)
compensation at rates approved by the jail bureau or warden as their share in the
production income.
2. Self-off – for supplies and equipment lost or damage resulting from his
misconduct or neglect.

TREATMENT OF SPECIAL OFFENDERS

Special offenders includes women offenders, drug addicts, alcoholics, mentally ill
persons and sex deviates, escape prone prisoner, suicide risk prisoners, the
handicapped, aged and infirmed, youth offenders and alien inmates
Under Rule 5 of the BJMP manual, it states that unusual offenders should not be
held in jails or prison with the common jail/prison population. They should be
segregated in other institutions as their temporary detention houses. However
special methods of treatment shall be made such as the following:
A. Female Offenders:
1. The women’s quarter should be fully separated from the men’s quarters and no
men shall be allowed to enter the women’s quarter.
2. Female jail staff members must do all handling and supervision of female
prisoners.
3. Only works suitable to their sex, age, and physical conditions should be
assigned to them.
B. Drug Addicts
1. Segregate addicts from other inmates especially during the withdrawal period.
2. Maintain close supervision to prevent attempts to commit suicide or prevent
him from harming his self.
3. No sedatives/stimulants shall be prescribed or administered except by a
physician.
4. Follow strictly the jail physician advice regarding diet and other treatment
measures during the withdrawal period.
5. Prompt search of the addict’s quarters should be conducted and constant
alertness to prevent the smuggling of narcotics and other dangerous drugs shall
be maintained.
C. Alcoholics
1. Place the alcoholic in a comfortable quarter separate from the other prisoners
and maintain close supervision to guard against suicide attempts
2. Report to the jail physician any symptoms of abnormal behavior
3. Maintain close supervision to guard against the smuggling of liquor and other
intoxicating drinks or products containing alcohol.

D. Mentally Ill
1. The mentally ill should be under the close supervision of the jail physician
2. Place the mentally ill in individual cells, and provide special restraint rooms for
violent cases.
3. Maintain close supervision to guard against suicide attempts or violent attacks
on others
4. Cause their immediate transfer to mental institution for proper psychiatric
treatment.
E. Sex Deviates
1. The homosexual should be segregated immediately to prevent them from
influencing other inmates to abnormal behavior
2. The other sex deviates, likewise, should be separated from the other inmates
for closer supervision and control.
F. Escape-prone prisoners
1.. They should be held in the most secured quarters, preferably in single cells.
2.. Supervise their conduct closely and observe their actuation during and after
visiting hours.
3. Search their quarters frequently and subject them to frequent strip searches.
4. Special attention should be given to the examination of their mail
5. Restrict the telephone calls and allow them to use the telephone only6 if
monitors on an extension.
G. Suicide-risks prisoner
1. They should be given close and constant supervision
2. They should be subjected to frequent strip search.
H. the Handicapped, Aged and Infirmed
1. The handicapped should be housed separately and closely supervised to
protect them from maltreatment by other prisoners.
2. Special treatment should be given to these prisoners who shall be required to
work only in accordance with their physical capabilities for their own upkeep, and
for the sanitation of their quarters and surroundings.
I. The Youth Offenders:
In the arrest/detention of a youthful offender, the following shall be observed:
A. Immediately after the apprehension and booking, the arresting unit concerned
shall take him to the city or municipal health or proper medical health officer for a
thorough physical and mental examination.

B. A youth offender held for physical and mental examination during trial or
pending appeal, if unable to furnish bail, shall, from the time for his arrest, be
committed to the care of:
1. The DSWD thru its local office or representative in the community;
2. The local rehabilitation center;
3. A detention home in the province or city, which shall be responsible for his
appearance in court whenever required. Provided, that in the absence of any such
center or agency, the city and/or municipal jail shall provide quarters for youth
offenders separate from other detainees.
C. Whenever it is for the best interest of the community and the effective
rehabilitation of the youth offender, considering the age, immaturity, gravity of
the offense, situation of the offender and other circumstances, the BJMP unit, in
coordination with DSWD and the city or provincial fiscal, may recommend to the
court concerned the release of the youth offender on recognizance, to the
custody of his parents or other suitable person who shall be responsible for his
appearance whenever required; and

D. The foregoing procedure pertains merely to the custody, detention, and

rehabilitation of youth offenders. Consequently, the usual course of investigation
of his case until its filing with the proper court should be pursued by the arresting
elements concerned.

J. Alien Inmates
- The Warden shall notify the Commission on Immigration of the receipt of an
alien prisoner stating:
1. The name of the inmate
2. The place of confinement (name of jail)
3. His nationality and the number of his alien Certificate of Registration
4. The offense committed; and
court imposing the sentence.