BuCor: Multiple heinous crime convicts to undergo psych tests before release
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BuCor: Multiple heinous crime convicts to undergo psych tests before release
A woman talks to her nephew sitting inside a Bureau of Jail and Penology Management (BJMP) bu, as he and other inmates make their way to attend a hearing in Manila on October 19, 2017. Noel Celis, AFP
A woman talks to her nephew sitting inside a Bureau of Jail and Penology Management (BJMP) bu, as he and other inmates make their way to attend a hearing in Manila on October 19, 2017. Noel Celis, AFPMANILA — The Bureau of Corrections on Tuesday said persons who are convicted of multiple heinous crimes will undergo tests before they are released under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA).
MANILA — The Bureau of Corrections on Tuesday said persons who are convicted of multiple heinous crimes will undergo tests before they are released under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA).
In a press conference, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang said they want to make sure offenders that may be released are ready to return to society.
In a press conference, BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang said they want to make sure offenders that may be released are ready to return to society.
"Yung mga multiple heinous crime offenders, they will have to undergo additional psychological test, whatever. Because we don’t want to release people who are still unstable. And we don’t want to release them, they go back to society and they commit another crime again and then go back to us," he said.
"Yung mga multiple heinous crime offenders, they will have to undergo additional psychological test, whatever. Because we don’t want to release people who are still unstable. And we don’t want to release them, they go back to society and they commit another crime again and then go back to us," he said.
Catapang assured there is no violation of the law by "setting aside" the multiple heinous crime convicts.
Catapang assured there is no violation of the law by "setting aside" the multiple heinous crime convicts.
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"We just want to make sure that citizens are equally protected. We’re not really cutting off their release but we want to make sure that [when] they are released back to society, they will not be a burden, number one. They will not be a threat to society and that they are really stable to go back and be part of our society," he said.
"We just want to make sure that citizens are equally protected. We’re not really cutting off their release but we want to make sure that [when] they are released back to society, they will not be a burden, number one. They will not be a threat to society and that they are really stable to go back and be part of our society," he said.
Last April, the Supreme Court found the Department of Justice "exceeded its power of subordinate legislation" when it excluded heinous crime convicts from benefiting from Republic Act No. 10592 or the New Good Conduct Time Allowance Law.
Last April, the Supreme Court found the Department of Justice "exceeded its power of subordinate legislation" when it excluded heinous crime convicts from benefiting from Republic Act No. 10592 or the New Good Conduct Time Allowance Law.
Catapang said they will form a technical working group to come up with 'more comprehensive guidelines' on GCTA computation.
Catapang said they will form a technical working group to come up with 'more comprehensive guidelines' on GCTA computation.
He said they will consult with DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on implementation.
He said they will consult with DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on implementation.
"Immediately one of his instructions was to make sure the multiple heinous crime offenders will be put aside, set aside first because of the seriousness of their offenses. Pero yung mga single heinous crime offenders, they can be considered," Catapang said.
"Immediately one of his instructions was to make sure the multiple heinous crime offenders will be put aside, set aside first because of the seriousness of their offenses. Pero yung mga single heinous crime offenders, they can be considered," Catapang said.
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"For as long as one they have served their sentence, two they have undergone the reformation process, three they are no longer drug addicts. Lastly, they are prepared to, they completed their reformation activities. Lastly, we want to make sure the community where they will be going back are well-informed that this persons will be going back to their community," he explained.
"For as long as one they have served their sentence, two they have undergone the reformation process, three they are no longer drug addicts. Lastly, they are prepared to, they completed their reformation activities. Lastly, we want to make sure the community where they will be going back are well-informed that this persons will be going back to their community," he explained.
Catapang said over 5,000 heinous crime offenders will benefit from the SC ruling, about 80 percent of this figure are single crime convicts.
Catapang said over 5,000 heinous crime offenders will benefit from the SC ruling, about 80 percent of this figure are single crime convicts.
The BuCor chief said the recomputation of the time allowances of qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDL) will start pending the completion of the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
The BuCor chief said the recomputation of the time allowances of qualified persons deprived of liberty (PDL) will start pending the completion of the revised implementing rules and regulations (IRR).
"We will do as fast as we can so that, yun nga, especially 'yung mga sickly, matatanda na, talagang terminally ill, they will be priorities. Siguro out of humanitarian concern," Catapang said.
"We will do as fast as we can so that, yun nga, especially 'yung mga sickly, matatanda na, talagang terminally ill, they will be priorities. Siguro out of humanitarian concern," Catapang said.
The BuCor chief reiterated the importance of reintegration of the PDLs after their release, citing the whole of government and society approach.
The BuCor chief reiterated the importance of reintegration of the PDLs after their release, citing the whole of government and society approach.
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"We must make sure the society or the family where they will go back to are also prepared. Baka magulat din sila na we are not prepared for them to accept them whatever. Guidance ko is up to the barangay captain they should be informed, not only the mayor," he said.
"We must make sure the society or the family where they will go back to are also prepared. Baka magulat din sila na we are not prepared for them to accept them whatever. Guidance ko is up to the barangay captain they should be informed, not only the mayor," he said.
Catapang expects the IRR to be finished by end of October and will be up submitted to the DOJ for approval before its implementation.
Catapang expects the IRR to be finished by end of October and will be up submitted to the DOJ for approval before its implementation.
He is hopeful around 5,000 heinous crime offenders will be released by December.
He is hopeful around 5,000 heinous crime offenders will be released by December.
DECONGESTING THE NEW BILIBID PRISON
The BuCor chief cited ongoing efforts to decongest New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
The BuCor chief cited ongoing efforts to decongest New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.
"We have reduced the congestion rate to I think it's already 150 percent congestion rate from as high as 300 percent plus congestion rate. Napababa natin ito," he said.
"We have reduced the congestion rate to I think it's already 150 percent congestion rate from as high as 300 percent plus congestion rate. Napababa natin ito," he said.
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Catapang said the continuous release and transfer of PDLs is helping decongest the NBP.
Catapang said the continuous release and transfer of PDLs is helping decongest the NBP.
"We continue to release as much as 700 to 800 PDLs per month. Of course we continue to transfer. As of now we have transferred more than 8,000 PDLs outside the NBP compound. Used to be this facility has 30 to 32,000 now it's down to 25,000," he added.
"We continue to release as much as 700 to 800 PDLs per month. Of course we continue to transfer. As of now we have transferred more than 8,000 PDLs outside the NBP compound. Used to be this facility has 30 to 32,000 now it's down to 25,000," he added.
Catapang also said the repair and construction of facilities is ongoing in Palawan, Mindoro, Zamboanga, Leyte and Davao.
Catapang also said the repair and construction of facilities is ongoing in Palawan, Mindoro, Zamboanga, Leyte and Davao.
He spoke with local officials on donating 20 to 25 hectares of land to BuCor so that they can create a compound that will include the jail near the Regional Trial Court.
He spoke with local officials on donating 20 to 25 hectares of land to BuCor so that they can create a compound that will include the jail near the Regional Trial Court.
Meantime, he also seeks to implement the 'Unified Penology System' and initiate the creation of a law that will ensure human rights and prevent torture in prison.
Meantime, he also seeks to implement the 'Unified Penology System' and initiate the creation of a law that will ensure human rights and prevent torture in prison.
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