New Bilibid Prison (NBP) History

New Bilibid Prison (NBP)

• Originally known as Carcel y Presidio Correccional, meaning "Correctional Jail and Military Prison".
• Established by the Spanish colonial government on June 25, 1865, via royal decree.
• Divided into two sections: Carcel, accommodating 600 inmates, and Presidio, holding 527 prisoners.
• A new prison constructed in Muntinlupa under Commonwealth Act No. 67 on a 53108732m2 area.
• Construction of the New Bilibid Prison began in 1936, with a budget of one million Philippine pesos.
• In 1940, prisoners, equipment, and facilities transferred from the old Bilibid to the new prison.
• The old facility's remnants were used as a detention center by the city of Manila.
• Officially named "New Bilibid Prison" in 1941, with the old facility becoming the Manila City Jail.
• The Bureau of Prisons was created on October 26, 1905, through Reorganization Act No. 1407 of the Philippine Commission.
• NBP is the main insular prison for the Philippines, maintained by BuCor under the DOJ.
• As of October 22, the NBP housed 29,204 inmates, exceeding its 6,345 ideal capacity.
• Located at 92JJ+3FG, 1776 Sampaguita Rd, Poblacion, Muntinlupa, Metro Manila, on 551 hectares of land.
• Plans to close the prison by 2028 and convert it into a commercial hub were expressed in 2023.
• Approximately 7,500 minimum and medium-security inmates will move to regional prisons.
• High-risk offenders will be transferred to a supermax prison in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
• Director General Catapang aims to transform NBP into a model correctional institution, focusing on rehabilitation, security, and well-being.

Function of NBP

• Created to address shortcomings of the old Bilibid Prison such as overcrowding and inadequate facilities.
• Serves as a modern correctional facility, providing better conditions and supporting rehabilitation.

NBP Inmates Include

• Convicted individuals sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Detainees with pending cases, multiple convictions, and sentences exceeding 20 years.
• Those convicted of serious crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and other felonies.

NBP Compounds

• Maximum Security: Houses inmates serving sentences of 20+ years, known for stringent security.
• Medium Security: Houses inmates serving less than 20 years, with moderately less restrictive security.
• Minimum Security: Houses inmates nearing sentence completion or those over 70 years old, posing less security risk.
• Ron Gluckman noted in 1999 that its commercial activity and freedom made it seem more like a barangay than a prison.

Recreational Facilities

• Specializes in industrial vocational training, including furniture, shoe repair, and auto-mechanic shops.
• Inmates engage in truck gardening, poultry, piggery, and animal farming.
• A basketball court in the penitentiary's gymnasium is available, along with handicrafts production.
• Various religious organizations operate within the prison, with daily masses in the chapel.
• The New Bilibid Prison features a talipapa (market) for inmates to purchase goods.
• Medical services are provided by religious and charitable organizations.

Educational Facilities

• Offers elementary, high school, vocational training, and adult literacy programs.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce program is present.
• A high school course, established in 1956, is available for prisoners seeking to complete their education.

Current Challenges

• The New Bilibid Prison faces severe congestion, housing five times its designed capacity.
• Discovery of over 160 unclaimed inmate cadavers has raised concerns about accountability.
• VIP inmates have been known to form groups akin to barangays.
• Instances of contraband, including beer, have suggested collusion among guards.
• An excavation site, labeled as a swimming pool project, has stirred controversy.

Correctional Institution for Women (CIW)

• Located in Mandaluyong City, and is the country’s first and only penal institution dedicated to women offenders.
• One of the 7 operating units under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).
• Republic Act 10575, signed in 2013, modernizes BuCor by upgrading facilities and personnel.

History of CIW

• Established via Act No. 3579 in November 1929, to transfer all-women inmates from Old Bilibid Prison.
• 270 female inmates transferred in February 1931 to Mandaluyong, in a facility initially called the Women’s Prison.
• Renamed CIW to emphasize correction over punishment.
• The original building was gutted by fire in 1982 due to faulty wiring, and reconstructed.

Congestion and Expansion of CIW

• Faced congestion issues due to increasing inmate numbers.
• Dormitories were converted to accommodate more inmates, reducing common areas.
• CIW was reported as the most congested facility among BuCor's 7 units in 2002.
• The facility expanded starting June 16, 2003, with a new extension building.
• Correctional Institution for Women in Mindanao (CIWM) opened September 18, 2007.

Location and Capacity of CIW

• Located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila.
• Opened on an 18-hectare property on February 14, 1931.
• As of January 2023, the population was 3,297, exceeding its capacity of 1,008.
• Director General Gregorio Catapang oversees the facility

CIW Buildings

• A new four-story building was constructed in 2000 to ease congestion.
• The Bureau of Public Works made repairs to the main building, workshop, and infirmary.

Admission Process

• The Reception and Diagnostic Center (BuCor's receiving arm) admits and classifies inmates for 60 days.
• Upon arrival, inmates go through inspection, with money and drugs/medicines handled specifically.

Rehabilitation

• It involves religion, education, livelihood, and social skills.
• Inmates engage in handicraft, swine, poultry, and small-scale vegetable production.
• Products include solar-powered lamps for victims of Typhoon Yolanda.

CIW Foundation

• The Chanel of Høpe Foundation conducts Bible studies every Saturday.
• They hold medical and optical missions. -Promote the sales of inmate handicrafts to support inmates' medical and other expenses.

CIW's Performing Arts Groups:

• Ati – Atihan and Drums & Lyre
• Crossband
• CIW Dance Troupe
• Tunog Kawayan
• CIW Music Ministry
• CIW Choraler

San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm

• Established on August 21, 1870, in Southern Zamboanga, through a royal decree in 1869.
• Total area is 1,080 hectares.
• Established during Governor General Ramon Blanco's tenure (named after his patron saint).
• Originally for political prisoners.

History:

• It is considered the oldest penal facility, prisoners did agricultural work.
• During the Spanish-American War in 1898, prisoners were released and buildings destroyed.
• The American administration re-established the prison farm in 1907.
• In 1912, Gen. John Pershing classified it as a prison and penal colony for those sentenced by the Courts.

Pershing's Supervision:

• Several buildings were constructed for 600 prisoners.
• The Colony became self-supporting with 75,000 coconut trees.
• Crops included coconuts, rice, corn, and papaya.

Reorganization and Later Proposals:

• Reorganization Act No. 1407 (Nov 1, 1905) created the Bureau of Prisons, integrating Old Bilibid Prison, San Ramon Penal Colony, and Iwahig Penal
• In 1995, Maria Clara Lobregat proposed transferring San Ramon Prison to Bongiao town for a special economic zone.

Recreation and Facilities:

• San Ramon Penal Farm prisoners work in farms.
• School provided for illiterate prisoners.
• Handicrafts are made and sold.
• Leisure activities include basketball, volleyball, billiards, and chess.
• Regular tasks include cooking, cleaning, and gardening.

Population:

• San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm population: 1,300 - 1,000

Point of View:

• The 136-year-old institution may be replaced for a government project to invite investors to Zamboanga. The marketing department of Zamboanga Economic Zone (ZamboEcoZone) has failed to declare to San Ramon Prison as a historical site.

Other Penal Farms

Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm

It was built for Filipino prisoners.

The "prison without bars

• Established by the Americans in 1904.
• Established by Governor Luke Wright in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in 1904.
• The Amending Executive Order No. 67, dated October 15, 1912, established it.
• Originally 22 acres to later expanding to 70,000 acres.
• It now has 4,000 inmates.

Location

Located thirty minutes away from Puerto Princesa

Iwahig is subdivided into:

: - Central sub-colony (14,700 ha.)

• Sta. Lucia (9,685 ha.)
• Montible (8,000 ha.)
• Inagawan (13,000 ha.)

Programs

Healthcare, recreation, and education

• This has a Reformation Initiative for Sustainable Environment (RISE). New immates wear orange while working class wear blue.

Davao Prison and Penal Farm

DAPECOL

• Davao Penal Colony was formally established in 1932 under Act No. 3732. During World War II, the location was used by the Philippine forces.

War

• The Japanese held 2,000 American prisoners of war after their victory.
• American POWs escaped in 1943 and joined local forces.
• The Japanese beheaded 25 prisoners in response.

Transition

• The Davao Penal Colony is the first ever Filipino Admin prison and Farm which was transferd over from the Japs.
• Davao Penal colony is located at Panabo City, Davao Del norte in an area of 30,000 h

Programs

• Work and Livelihood
• Education and Healthcare
• There are approxametaly 4,500 inmates here.
• Dapecol is likewise a large community that is divded. There one penal camp each for female and male prisonsers.

Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm

History:

• Sablayan Penal Colony was established on Sept 26, 1954, near Manila than other penal colonies.
• Situated in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro with 16,190 hectares.
• First colonists and employees arrived on January 15, 1955; buildings constructed.
• Is where prisoners of NBP are brought for decongestion.
• Serves as an open type insitution that produced rice and veg
• Three sub-colonies were lated organized.
• -Protected raindorest.
• Arest in coastal area.
• Refugee camp for Mt Pinatubo victims.

Staff

• The first members of staff were people such as Dr Alfredo, orencio and Ramon to name a few
• This prison is devided into three areas such ad SUB PRISON etc First contingent of Officers and Employees

Leyte Regional Prison (LRP)

History:

• LRP, in Tacloban City, Leyte, was established during the American colonial period.
• Briefly a Japanese detention center during World War II. It was created under PD No. 28 in 1973

Location:

It is located 66km from Abuyog.

Types of Community:

• Open Community for minimum security. Enclosed Community for medium/maximum security

Stats

• Built for the 700s now houses 980 Hospital is lacking supplies Sudden increase in 1996 Mortality rate

Program:

• Education and moral programs LRP has been built to provide rehabilitate criminals
• Accepts new offenders. Here are the PDL CONFINEMENT AS OF FEBRUARY 2025, with population statistics.