MORE than 20,000 inmates from the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City and other prisons and penal farms of the Bureau of Corrections have been released since 2022 as part of the overall efforts to decongest prison facilities in the country.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the number includes 1,058 released from March 1 to 30 this year.
The release of the 1,058 inmates culminated yesterday with the release of 188 from the NBP’s compound.
“This brings to 20,629 Persons Deprived of Liberty released since the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assumed office,” Catapang said during the culminating activity.
Catapang said the reasons for their release included expiration of sentence – 747, parole – 159, acquittal – 112, probation – 21, habeas corpus – 18 and one turned over to the court.
Among those released were 49 from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, three from the CIW Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 16 from CIW Mindanao, 141 from Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 96 from Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 81 from Leyte Regional Prison, four from NBP, 150 from the Maximum Security Camp of NBP, 182 from the Medium Security Camp of NBP, 149 from the Minimum Security Camp of NBP, 21 from the Reception and Diagnostic Center of NBP, 52 from Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 114 from San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm.
DOJ Undersecretary Deo Marco told the released inmates the importance of embracing second chances, urging them to rebuild their lives positively and aim for personal transformation.
“Kahit may stigma, dapat tuluy-tuloy lang, mag-set ng goals at mag focus, huwag hayaan na na ‘yung nakaraang ang mag define ng inyong pagkatao (Even if there is stigma, set your goals and focus on it, do not let your past define you as a person),” Marco said.
