BUREAU of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. yesterday pushed for greater collaboration among government agencies and other stakeholders to prepare inmates for their reintegration to society.
Catapang made the call as BuCor prepares various activities for the week-long celebration of the National Corrections Consciousness Week starting today.
Catapang emphasized the need and commitment to further strengthen the existing reformation programs for inmates and the introduction of the reintegration program.
“Although reintegration does not fall within our mandate which only includes safe keeping and reformation of Persons Deprived of Liberty, BuCor will introduce a program centered on behavior modification and therapeutic community, which are crucial in addressing the complex needs of Persons Deprived of Liberty to better prepare them for successful reintegration into society,” he said.
This will be in addition to the reformation program being implemented inside the corrections facilities based on moral and spiritual, education and training, work and livelihood, sports and recreation, health and welfare.
The BuCor chief underscored the significance of fostering increased collaboration with other government agencies, like the local government units, particularly in areas where inmates will be re-integrated; the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment Department of Social Welfare and Development and other stakeholders from the private sector to ensure that once released, the inmates will become productive members of society.
“By working together with different partners that complement Bucor’s efforts in reforming Persons Deprived of Liberty, BuCor can leverage resources, expertise, and support to enhance its initiatives and can create a comprehensive support system to ensure a holistic approach to the rehabilitation and reintegration process,” Catapang said.
The BuCor has released 16,657 inmates since 2022 as part of its overall effort to decongest its prison facilities, especially the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
This figure includes 740 inmates who regained their freedom from August to October this year.
The NBP and six other operating prison and penal farms of BuCor nationwide hold over 52,000 inmates, although their total capacity is only around 12,000, or an average congestion rate of 231 percent.
The national penitentiary alone holds over 28,000 inmates, a far cry from its original capacity of 9,885 when it was built.
