Govt begins tough task of reforming prison system

FOR decades, the Philippine penal system has been a symbol of neglect — crumbling prison walls, overcrowded cells, and a justice system that often forgets those behind bars.

But change is coming.

The government has begun to implement sweeping reforms aimed at decongesting prisons, modernizing facilities, and giving persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) a real shot at rehabilitation.

At the forefront of this transformation is Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr.

One of the most pressing concerns in the country's penal system is overcrowding. According to Catapang, the national prison facilities were built for only 12,000 inmates, yet the current prisoner population stands at 55,000.

The last prison facility was constructed in 1973.

"The Bureau of Corrections was left behind for the past 50 years," said Catapang. "The facilities we currently have were built as far back as the Spanish era, and the most recent one was in 1973. Since then, no new prisons have been built."

Last year, BuCor released around 8,000 inmates through paroles and other legal processes, and 10,000 more are expected to be granted early release in 2025 under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) program.

"With the recent Supreme Court ruling that even heinous crime offenders are entitled to good conduct time allowance, we are looking at releasing around 10,000 inmates this year," Catapang said.

"This is a significant step toward decongesting our prisons."

BuCor has also been relocating inmates to less crowded facilities outside Metro Manila, reducing the inmate population at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) from 30,000 to 25,000.

Beyond decongestion, BuCor is prioritizing the rehabilitation of PDLs, providing them with skills to reintegrate into society. Partnerships with agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) offer vocational training and employment opportunities for released inmates.

Private companies such as San Miguel Corp. have pledged to hire qualified PDLs for construction and service jobs.

"Rehabilitation doesn't end with their release," Catapang said. "We need to ensure that PDLs are reintegrated into society with dignity and the ability to sustain themselves. This is why we are strengthening partnerships with various agencies and private companies."

Education is also a key focus. BuCor has partnered with De La Salle Santiago Zobel School, Fatima College, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) to offer academic programs. Plans to collaborate with the University of the Philippines Open University are also in motion, with a particular emphasis on agriculture and aquaculture studies for former inmates.

New penal colonies

BuCor is working towards constructing new regional prisons to decentralize the inmate population. A major goal is to close the NBP by 2028 and relocate inmates to new, modernized prisons outside Metro Manila.

Plans are underway to develop new penal colonies in the northern and southern regions of the country.

To enhance security and efficiency, the agency has also started to digitalize prison records and launch the e-dalaw (electronic visitation) system, allowing families to connect with inmates remotely.

These efforts aim to minimize contraband smuggling and improve prison safety.

"We have invested in security technologies such as body scanners and CCTV cameras," Catapang said. "These will help prevent the entry of illegal items and improve the monitoring of prison activities."

BuCor is transforming its Palawan facility into a "prison without walls," where inmates can participate in farming and livelihood activities.

The initiative aligns with the government's broader plan to establish a self-sustaining penal colony that contributes to food security and economic development.

The 27,000-hectare area in Palawan will be developed into an agro-industrial hub featuring a residential zone, an export processing zone, and an integrated farming area.

"In Palawan, we are developing a model where PDLs can live and work in a productive environment," said Catapang. "This is an example of how rehabilitation can go beyond just confinement."

In February 2025, the Philippines will host the Asean Regional Correctional Conference, bringing together correctional leaders from 10 countries to discuss best practices in prison management and rehabilitation.

"We will present our 'prison without walls' model to Asean correctional leaders," Catapang said.

Despite the advancements, challenges remain. The ratio of correctional officers to inmates remains far from ideal, standing at 1:25 instead of the recommended 1:7.

Funding constraints also hinder the full implementation of modernization plans. However, with continued government support and private sector collaboration, BuCor aims to significantly improve the penal system within the next five years.

As the Philippine government moves towards a more humane and rehabilitative approach to incarceration, these reforms signal a pivotal shift in the country's correctional system, aiming for a balance between justice, security, and a second chance for reformed individuals.

"We are moving ten times faster to ensure real and lasting change," Catapang said.