THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) yesterday said 25,304 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) have been released since 2022 under the Marcos administration.
Corrections Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the number includes 736 inmates released from July 4 to July 30 this year.
Of the 736, Catapang said 554 saw the expiration of their maximum sentence, 56 were acquitted, 14 granted probation, seven saw their petition for habeas corpus granted by the courts, and 100 given parole.
Of those released in July, 37 came from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, six from the CIW- Mindanao, 118 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 77 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan, 54 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 63 from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Maximum Security Compound, 85 from the NBP-Medium Security Compound, 87 from the NBP-Minimum Security Compound, 36 from the NBP-Reception and Diagnostic Center, 10 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, and 92 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.
As of last year, the BuCor has 53,826 inmates under its care.
Aside from the release of qualified inmates, Catapang said the BuCor has also transferred more than 10,000 inmates from the NBP to its various operating prison and penal farms in the provinces, with 200 transferred to the Occidental Mindoro facility early last month.
To reduce stigma and ensure after-care support for the released inmates, Catapang said the BuCor has launched a reintegration program called the “Blue and Red Ribbon” project.
He said the project underscores the government’s commitment to after-care support, which is critical to ensure that freed inmates can transition smoothly back into society.
“To facilitate this process, the Bureau plans to establish halfway houses across all operating prisons and penal farms nationwide. These facilities will serve not only as transitional residences but also as secure holding areas for individuals awaiting release and final settlement arrangements,” Catapang said.
He said the halfway houses will function as essential support systems, such as provide resources and guidance to help them successfully reintegrate into their communities.
“By connecting reintegrated individuals with real opportunities for employment, education, and healing, the project seeks to address and dismantle the stigma often faced by ex-offenders,” the BuCor chief added.
