The Philippine government is implementing major reforms in the penal system to decongest prisons, modernize facilities, and enhance rehabilitation programs for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. highlighted the urgent need for change, citing that national prison facilities built for 12,000 inmates now hold 55,000.
Efforts include releasing inmates through parole, relocating PDLs, and constructing regional prisons to replace New Bilibid Prison by 2028.
BuCor is also prioritizing rehabilitation through vocational training, education, and partnerships with private companies for employment opportunities.
Security measures, digitalized records, and the “prison without walls” model in Palawan further reflect the shift toward a humane and rehabilitative correctional system.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 10, 2025
