Contada, Joe B.

Group 6
Jimenez, Jericho C. CA 1
Jose, Jhester
Liwes, Arrolf B.
Pal-et, Windell F.
Tindang, Jessica C.

BUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP)

GENERAL GUIDELINES
The provisions of this standard operating procedure shall be
strictly followed in order to contribute to a safe environment
for personnel and persons deprived of liberty (PDLs). Reducing
fire hazards, security risks, and sanitation problems could
accomplish this, while at the same time, ensuring the
protection of properties authorized to be retained by every
person deprived of liberty (PDL). These safety efforts shall
include type, quantity and methods of acquisitions of inmate
personal property. The BJMP shall allow personal property
based on the types and amounts reasonable and necessary for
the comfort and rehabilitation of persons deprived of liberty
(PDLs) while ensuring that order and security is maintained.
A. Allowable Personal Properties for Persons Deprived of
Liberty

The Warden or any officer receiving the newly committed

persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) shall inform him/her that the
personal properties that shall be allowed for them to possess
while incarcerated.
a. Limitations on the source/s that PDLs may access to obtain
items of personal property not offered by Jail
Cooperative/Commissary, such as livelihood supplies, religious
and cultural items as the case maybe, shall be established and
maintained by IWD Staff and/or Property Custodian of every
jail.
b. The Chief, Custodial shall ensure the space limits for PDLs
personal properties. Provided, that the amount of space
assigned for each PDL shall equally be distributed among them
per cell.
c. PDLs should not accumulate excessive quantity of paper
materials that may pose a fire, sanitation, and security hazard.
d. PDL personal property must fit in the assigned storage or
stored in approved storage containers determined, based on
assessment by the Warden or any officer with whom he/she
delegated his/her authority.
e. PDLs are not allowed to possess personal property
belonging to another PDL.
f. Religious items used in the practice of PDLs’ chosen religion
not posing a threat to safe, secure and orderly operation of the
jail may be authorized. Provided, that such items shall acquire
the clearance from the Chaplain or Imam as the case maybe.
g. PDLs are also allowed to possess money/funds to augment
their day-to-day living while incarcerated.

B. Acquisition

PDLs may obtain personal property through the following

authorized sources:

a. Personal properties at the time of admission;

b. BJMP-issued supplies and items;
c. Mailed PDL packages approved by the Warden;
d. Jail Cooperative/Commissary; and
e. Donations from Accredited Jail Service Providers and NGOs

C. Recording and Monitoring

Every jail unit shall abide with the following provisions in

recording and monitoring of PDLs personal property/ies:
a. The recording of PDLs personal property does not create or
infer liability to the jail. Upon admission, newly committed PDLs
shall declare all his personal properties in the ODIFORM-001
PDL Property Declaration Form. The Property Custodian, upon
admission of the PDL, shall provide two (2) copies for the PDL
to fill out: One (1) copy shall be given to the PDL, and the other
shall be signed both by the PDL and the Property Custodian,
which the latter shall keep for documentation.
b. Any personal property reported by a PDL as lost, stolen, or
missing shall be entered on the PDLs property record as such.
The PDL however, may be allowed to purchase replacement
property, as authorized by the Warden. Further, PDLs are
responsible for reporting all lost, stolen, missing, damaged
and/or destroyed personal properties. Moreover, if the lost,
stolen or missing personal property item is found and can be
returned to PDL, the PDL shall be required to sent out or
destroy any property item(s) in excess of what is allowed by the
Revised Authorize Property Matrix for Person Deprived of
Liberty.
c. The Jail shall not be liable for damages, actions, claims,
demands or expenses of whatever kind or character in
connection to PDLs personal property resulting from the acts or
omissions by other PDLs.

D. Disposal

In handling and disposition of all contrabands relative to PDL

personal property, Wardens shall abide by the existing policies
and procedures.

a. Following PDLs death, escape or release, all tangible

personal properties shall be disposed of based on the existing
policies and guidelines.

E. Liability of the Warden and/or any Concerned Personnel

a. The Warden, Officer of the Day and/or any concerned

personnel who without valid reasons refuses to implement the
aforementioned standard operating procedure in their
respective jails and/or violated and tolerated the same shall be
held administratively liable for misconduct and/or neglect of
duty, as the case maybe, depending upon the circumstances of
participation and with corresponding penalty as provided in the
BJMP Administrative Disciplinary Machinery.

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
In the event that any provision or part of this Standard
Operating Procedure has been declared unauthorized or
rendered invalid by a competent authority, those provisions not
affected by such declaration shall remain valid and effective.

REPEALING CLAUSE
All existing issuances that are inconsistent with this policy are
hereby rescinded or modified accordingly.
EFFECTIVITY
This policy shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the
registration with Office of National Administrative Register
(ONAR). Thereafter, all Regional Directors and Wardens shall be
given thirty (30) days to formulate their respective
Implementation Plans (IMPLANS) in order to execute the
provisions of this policy.

Contraband, whose introduction into jail facilities is

proscribed by the SOP, is classified into:
(1) "illegal contraband," which is unlawful in itself and not
because of some extraneous circumstances, such as dangerous
drugs, weapons, potential weapons, explosives; and
(2) "merely prohibited and nuisance contraband," which may
not be classified as illegal under the law but is forbidden by jail
rules, such as cellphones, intoxicating liquor, cigarettes, and
pornographic materials.
6.2 Specific Guidelines on PDL

1. A PDL shall deposit his cash/money, not exceeding

P1,000.00, to the person in-charge of the Jail Commissary. The
amount used to purchase items from the store under the Jail
Commissary shall be deducted from the amount deposited by
the PDL

2. Any amount in excess of P1,000.00 shall be confiscated and

turned over to his immediate family or duly authorized
representative.

3. The person in-charge of the Jail Commissary shall issue a

coupon with face value of the cash/money deposited for
storage.

4. The issued coupon is personal to the PDL and cannot be

transferred or negotiated.
5. The coupon shall be valid for one (1) month with subsequent
security features. The 1-month validity of the coupon shall be
expressly and conspicuously shown on the coupon.

6. Unused coupons shall be surrendered to the person in-

charge of the Jail Commissary.

7. Unused coupons can only be encashed upon the PDL's

release or transfer.

8. The amount used to purchase items from the store under the
Jail Commissary shall be deducted from the amount deposited
by the PDL

9. The person in-charge shall keep a full record of the deposit

and the used and unused coupons.

6.3 Specific Guidelines on Visitors

1. Visitors of PDL who want to give cash, not exceeding

P1,000.00, to PDL shall deposit the amount before the person
in-charge of the Jail Commissary.

2. The person in charge of the Jail Commissary shall issue a

coupon to be given exclusively to the PDL with face value of the
cash/money deposited in the account of the PDL.

3. Giving of money or cash to PDL by any person (such as

visitor, BJMP personnel, etc.) in jails with Jail Commissary shall
be considered a violation of jail rules and regulations on the
part of the visitor.

4. The person in charge shall keep a full record of the deposit

made by visitors for PDL.

BURAEU OF CORRECTIONS (BUCOR)

Orientation
Prisoners will be given an orientation session within the first
day of arriving. Prisoners will learn about the prison routine
including meal times, shower times, exercise and their prisoner
rights.

They will be advised on:

 the prison rules
 behavior expectations
 the discipline process
 health, welfare and infection issues and
 how to make telephone calls, contact family, money and
property.

Admission Process
Arriving at prison
Upon arrival the prisoner will be taken to the admission area
for processing by DCS staff. Processing takes on average
between 3 to 6 hours.
Children of women prisoners
Women with children will be asked if their children are safe and
being cared for. If necessary, an opportunity will be provided
for arrangements to be made.
Processing
The prisoner will then be photographed.
All prisoners are strip searched to ensure prison safety and
prevent contraband. The strip search is done in a dignified way
by staff of the same gender.
The prisoner will be provided with the opportunity to shower
and provided with clean prison clothing and shoes. The prisoner
may be placed in a holding cell whilst staff are processing the
prisoner.
Property and clothing
Everything worn by a prisoner including jeweler and rings will
be processed, catalogued and put in storage. The secure bag
from the holding cells will also be processed at this time.

Prohibited items including mobile phones will not be kept in

storage. Prisoners must arrange for family member or a close
friend to claim the items otherwise they will dispose of after 2
weeks. Mobile phones must be collected within 7 days.
If a prisoner has no one to pick up these items OARS or Second
Chances may be able to assist.

At this stage prisoners will have the opportunity to access

telephone numbers of close family members and their lawyer.
Prescribed medication will also be assessed by the health staff.
Only medication approved and identified by prison doctors and
nurses will be allowed into the prison.
Money
Money is removed from the secure bag and processed into
the ‘prisoner trust account’. If there is over $200 the excess is
added to the prisoner’s telephone account.
Interviews
Prisoners will be interviewed by correctional and medical staff.
The interviews assist correctional staff to determine what
category the prisoner is and which prison and location is most
suitable for the prisoners needs.

Nurses will assess the prisoner’s health concerns thoroughly

and provide medication if necessary.
Prisoners should let the nurse know if they are experiencing
drug or alcohol withdrawal issues or are on a methadone
program. Nurses can arrange for the prisoner to see the doctor
if they have health concerns.
This is the prisoner's opportunity to raise any health care issues
or to let staff know if they are pregnant or breast feeding.
Health
Nurses and medical staff will assess the prisoner's health and
wellbeing thoroughly. They will provide medication if necessary
and arrange for the prisoner to see a doctor if there are health
concerns.
Prisoners should tell the nurses if they are on a methadone
program and arrangements will be made to see a doctor who
can put the prisoner on a methadone program. Nurses are also
able to help if the prisoner is experiencing drug or alcohol
withdrawal issues. The nurses will also ask if the prisoner has
any special requirements.
At this stage it is important that the prisoner raise any health
care issues. Women should let the nurse know if they are
pregnant or breast feeding.

Food and meals

Once processed the prisoner will be able to eat at the prison’s
next available meal time. A sandwich or salad pack may be
available at other times. A prisoner can ask for water at any
time during processing.
Phone calls
Prisoners will have provided with the opportunity to make a
phone call to family member or friend at the end of the
admission process. One phone call lasting 10 minutes in
duration can be made at this time.

The correctional officer will get the details of who the prisoner
wants to call along with the number. The person at the other
end of the phone will be asked if they wish to accept the phone
call.
During this time the prisoner may wish to let the person know
where they are, ask for money to be transferred to their
prisoner account, or ask them to contact a lawyer on their
behalf.

The prisoner will also be asked to complete a telephone form. A

prisoner is able to list a maximum of 10 numbers they want to
be able to call whilst in prison.

After admission
 The prisoner will be taken to the cell blocks and
accommodation units.

 Prisoner placement is based on assessment of any special

needs or risks identified.

 They will be provided with a plate or bowl and cup for

meal times and bedding and hygiene items.
  They will also get a provision pack with coffee, tea, sugar
and cutlery. A prisoner’s cell is chosen on availability and
they may have to share their cell.
Section 6.
Body Search of PDL and Personal Belongings.
Upon admission, the PDL shall
be searched thoroughly. He/she shall be allowed to possess
such articles as authorized. A list of all articles taken from the
PDL shall be entered in the PDL's
record and receipted by the Officer-in-Charge thereof.
Personal belongings/effects of PDL - The PDL, subject to the
approval of the Superintendent, may bring items deemed
essential to his/her well-being.
Provided that, the quantity, nature, and dimension thereof shall
not interfere with the safety, security and living conditions ofthe
PDL and others.
Wearing of jewelry - A PDL may not wear jewelry items. He/She
may, however allowed to wear an inexpensive/cheap watch.
Operations of the Bureau of Corrections.
(a) The BuCor shall operate with a directorial structure. It shall
undertake reception of inmates through its Directorate for
Reception and Diagnostics (DRD), formerly Reception and
Diagnostic Center (RDC), provide basic needs and security
through its Security and Operations Directorates, administer
reformation programs through its Reformation Directorates,
and prepare inmates for reintegration to mainstream society
through its Directorate for External Relations (DER), formerly
External Relations Division (ERD).
(b) The DRD shall be responsible for the conduct of
classification of each and every inmate admitted to the BuCor.
Inmates shall be classified according to security risk and
sentence. Included in the classification is determining inmate’s
certain skills or talents, physical, spiritual, social, mental and
psychological evaluation and other behavioral assessments, as
reference of the DRD in the preparation of individual inmate
reformation programs.

(c) Aside from those borne of the provisions under Rule 8, Part
I, Rules of General Application of the United Nations Standard
Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners and that of the
existing regulation of the BuCor on security classification (i.e.
maximum, medium and minimum security risk), inmates shall
also be internally classified by the DRD and segregated
according to crimes committed based on the related penal
codes such as Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against
Properties, Crimes Against Chastity, so on and so forth, as well
as by other related Special Laws, Custom and Immigration
Laws.

(d) From the DRD, the Custodial Force and Reformation

Personnel of respective security institutions/camps shall be in
charge for the security and the implementation of the
recommended inmate reformation program of each and every
inmate while serving sentence, respectively.

(e) The Directorate for External Relations (DER) shall be

responsible for pre-release and post-release programs of
inmates due for release. The DER shall also classify inmates
according to skills acquired for referral and endorsement to
appropriate companies or corporations participating in the
BuCor On-The-Job Training Programs for newly reformed
inmates. The DER shall also evaluate, classify and apply
necessary programs to inmates for readiness to join the
mainstream society upon release.

(f) Apart from handling inmates, the BuCor shall

administratively operate like a standard government agency
through its Administrative Directorates with internal control
and internal audit units.

(g) The BuCor shall employ full computerization in the build-up,

maintenance and transmittal of necessary inmate records to all
its Prison and Penal Farms and other recipient agencies (i.e.
Board of Pardons and Parole).

REFERENCES
Standard Operating Procedures Number 2004-02;
BJMP Comprehensive Operations Manual Revised 2015;
Memorandum on Activation and Delegation of Property,
Contraband and Evidence Custodian dated 03 March 2011
signed by JCSUPT Benito A. Dorigo, RD-NCR;
Minutes of Consultative Meeting on Compendium of Policies on
the Contraband Management in Jails dated January 13, 2017;
Consultative Meeting on Compendium of Policies on the
Contraband Management in Jails dated January 13, 2017; and
Recommendation of Legal Service Office re: Use of “PDL” in
lieu of “inmate” pursuant to Article 10, International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

https://law.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/BJMP-
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