MORE than 23,000 inmates have regained their liberty since 2022, Bureau of Corrections (Bu-cor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said yesterday.
Catapang Jr. said this includes the 2,293 inmates released from April 1 to June 11 this year.
“This brings to 23,579 the total number of persons deprived of liberty released under the ad-ministration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Catapang said as Bucor released 157 more yesterday.
Bucor also inaugurated the new conjugal building at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City that would provide a “secure and dignified space” for inmates to maintain family ties.
Catapang said the release of qualified inmates was partly made possible by a Supreme Court ruling that inmates, including those convicted of heinous crimes, are entitled to the benefits of the Good Conduct Time Allowance, which makes possible their early release.
Of those released from April to June this year, 2,373 regained their freedom after expiration of their prison sentence, 228 were acquitted, 212 were paroled, 76 had their habeas corpus grant-ed, and 59 were granted probation.
Among those released were 248 from the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, four from CIW Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 42 from CIW Mindanao, 469 from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 356 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 134 from Leyte Regional Prison, 1204 from New Bilibid Prison, 180 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 313 from San Ra-mon Prison and Penal Farm.
The BuCor chief said the release of qualified inmates underscores a critical shift in the Philip-pine correctional philosophy towards rehabilitation rather than mere punishment.
“By facilitating the reintegration of PDLs into society, the government not only helps these indi-viduals reclaim their lives but also fosters safer communities. Proper reintegration programs can significantly reduce recidivism rates, allowing for better engagement with society and improved public safety,” Catapang told the gathering on Wednesday.
The release of qualified inmates is also part of the overall policy of the government to decon-gest the national penitentiary and to pave the way for its eventual closure in 2028 and transfor-mation into a commercial and financial zone, similar to Taguig’s Bonifacio Global City.
Aside from the release of qualified inmates, the BuCor has also transferred more than 10,000 inmates from Bilibid to its various operating prisons and penal farms in the provinces, with the latest transfer of 200 made early this month to Sablayan.
Also on Wednesday, Catapang said the newly constructed conjugal building at the NBP “is part of our ongoing efforts to promote compassion and emotional support for Persons Deprived of Liberty by strengthening family engagement,” adding that it is also part of the overall social re-integration policy of BuCor.
The agency said the building was donated by wellness entrepreneur Pamela Valdez, while the amenities and furnishings were provided by Hotel Sogo.
“Their compassion and collaboration significantly contribute to a more reformative and sup-portive correctional environment,” Catapang added.
The BuCor chief said the agency continues to explore infrastructure enhancements not only in Bilibid but in other operating prisons and penal farms it is managing that align with interna-tional standards on correctional management.
“This is part of our pursuit of a modern, humane, and reform-oriented penal system,” he added.
