Introduction: THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

      The Criminal Justice System in the Philippines plays a crucial role in the dispensation of justice, and is composed of the five pillars, namely: Law Enforcement, Prosecution, Courts, Corrections and Community. From the initial investigation and/or arrest of criminal offenders by the law enforcement officers; the preliminary investigation and/or establishment of probable cause and the prosecution of the offender by the prosecutors; the hearing of the case and the promulgation of the decision by the competent court; the custody and rehabilitation of the convicted criminal offender by the corrections; and the community at-large provides meaning to the justice system. The community, though one of the pillars plays a very vital role in each of the other pillars – it is in fact, the conscience of the justice system.

THE CORRECTIONS PILLAR 

      The corrections pillar is composed of the institutional and non-institutional agencies of the government. The institutional agencies include the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) under the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) under the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Council for the Welfare of Children under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). On the other hand, the non-institutional agencies include the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), and the Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP), all under the DOJ.

      Among these agencies, the BuCor is the only primary institution in the corrections pillars that provides full custody and rehabilitation programs for the transformation of insular prisoners, those sentenced to more than 3 years to capital punishment.

      The legislative and policy framework of corrections led to the signing of Republic Act No. 9344 and Republic Act No. 9346.

      “Republic Act No. 9344, which established a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system and created the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) under the Department of Justice. The system deals with Children in Conflict with the Law or CICLs and children at risk with procedures and comprehensive programs. The law also provides for the immediate dismissal of cases filed against CICLs.”

      “Republic Act No. 9346, which abolished the Death Penalty, and commuted the sentences of 183 death convicts to Reclusion Perpetua or Life Imprisonment without parole were imposed.”

Mandate
      THE PRINCIPAL TASK OF THE BUREAU OF CORRECTIONS IS THE REHABILITATION OF NATIONAL PRISONERS

Mission

      To maximize the assets' value of the BuCor to effectively pursue its responsibility in safely securing and transforming national prisoners through responsive rehabilitation programs managed by professional correctional officers.

Vision

      A world-class correctional organization that provides an opportunity to develop professional, disciplined, spiritually-guided environment for BuCor stakeholders and for inmates to become productive, responsible and law-abiding citizens.

Slogan

      Reach Out and Give Second Chance . . . the WAY to Restore the Dignity of Inmates.

Principles

      The BuCor adheres and adopts the following principles in accomplishing its mandated objectives and performing its assigned functions:
      1) To confine prisoners by giving them adequate living spaces as the first conditions to be met before any effective rehabilitation programs can be undertaken.
      2) To prevent prisoners from committing crimes while in custody.
      3) To provide humane treatment by affording them human basic needs in the prison environment and prohibiting cruel methods and provide a variety of rehabilitation program.

Contact Information :

      Bureau of Corrections
      NBP Reservation
      Muntinlupa City, Philippines
      Contact Nos. (02) 809-80-73/(02) 850-32-82
      Website: http://www.bucor.gov.ph
      Email Address: info@bucor.gov.ph