OVERVIEW OF THE COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS SYSTEM
OF THE PHILIPPINES

I. THE PHILIPPINE PROBATION SYSTEM
A. Historical Development of Community Corrections
Probation was first introduced in the Philippines during the American colonial period(1898-1945) with the enactment of Act 4221 on August 7, 1935 by the Philippine Legislature.
This Law created a Probation Office under the Department of Justice. However due to some
defects in its procedural framework, it was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court
on November 16, 1937 after barely two years of existence.
In 1972, House Bill No.393 intended to establish a probation system in the Philippines
was filed in Congress. This bill avoided the objectionable features of Act 4221 which was thecause of its declaration as unconstitutional. The bill was passed by the House ofRepresentatives and was pending in the Senate when Martial Law was declared, and theCongress was abolished.
Three years after in 1975, the National Police Commission acting on a report submitted
by the Philippine delegation to the 5th United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crimeand the Treatment of Offenders, created an Interdisciplinary Committee tasked to formulate anational strategy to

reduce crime and to draft a probation law.

Eighteen Technical hearings were done over a period of six months involving
international experts in the field of corrections and when presented to a selected group of
jurist, penologist, civic leaders, social and behavioral practitioners, it was overwhelmingly
endorsed the establishment of an Adult Probation System in the Philippines.
On the last day of the First National Convention on Crime Control held at Camp
Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Presidential Decree No, 968 also known as Adult Probation Law of1976 was signed into law by the President of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand E.
Marcos. The law gave birth to the agency named Probation Administration, a line agency
under the Department of Justice.
The operation of the probation system in 1976-1977 was a massive undertaking during
which all judges and prosecutors nationwide were trained in probation methods andprocedures; administrative and procedural manuals were developed; probation officers wererecruited and trained; and the central office and also the probation field offices wereorganized throughout the country. Fifteen probation officers were selected from the firstbatch of trainees for an observation tour to the Los Angeles Training Academy, April 1, 1977.
Upon their return, they were assigned to train the newly recruited probation officers.

The probation system started to operate on January 3, 1978. As more probation officers
were recruited and trained as more probation field offices were opened. At present there are
183 field offices spread all over the country, supervised by 15 regions.
B. Legal Basis of the Community Corrections
The enabling law that governs the administration and operation of the probation system inthe country is Presidential Decree No. 968, or the Adult Probation Law of 1976.Since its
promulgation on July 24, 1976, the Adult Probation Law has undergone several amendments
such as:Presidential Decree No 1257 approved on December 1, 1977, allowing public prosecutors
to participate in the probation process by directing them to make a comment on theapplication for probation.
Batas Pambansa Blg.76 (BP 76) signed June 9,1980, extending the benefits of probation
to convicted offenders whose prison sentence imposed was six years and one day. Formerly,
it was only for those convicted offenders

whose prison sentence is six years.

Presidential Decree No.1990 promulgated on October 15, 1985 , provided that theapplication for probation shall no longer be entertained or granted if the defendant has
perfected an appeal from the judgment of conviction. Further, it also amends BP 76 returning
it to six years.
On November 21, 1987, a new Administrative Code was adopted by the Philippine
government under Executive Order No. 292.The Code transferred the function of supervisingparolees and pardonees which heretofore were supervised by the trial courts, to the Probation
Administration. Executive Order 292 also changed the name of the agency to Parole an dProbation in order to reflect the change in its mandate.
In 1991, the Parole and Probation Administration was assigned the new task of
conducting pre-parole and executive clemency investigation in all city and provincial jails
and prepare pre-parole reports for the Board of Pardons and Parole. This new task was
mandated by BPP Resolution No. 229, dated April 2, 1991.
Republic Act 9165 known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002 signed on
January 23, 2002, which repealed Republic Act 6425, the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972
which provides under Section 57 , Probation and Community Service under the Voluntary
Submission Program an after care program in lieu of imprisonment and or fine.
On April 28, 2006, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 was signed into a law. ThisAct established a comprehensive juvenile justice and welfare system in the country. Paroleand Probation Administration was tasked to develop individualized probation programappropriate for the correction and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law consistent
with the objectives of rehabilitation and reintegration provided in the Act.

C. Organization and Personnel
1 .Organization
The Parole and Probation Administration is a line-bureau type of organization createdunder the Department of Justice. To carry out the objectives of the Probation Law of 1976,
the Administration was organized into 15 Regional Offices andand Parole offices

with a total of 183

Provincial /City Probation

Probation and Parole Offices nationwide .

Maximum support is given to the local parole and probation offices which provide direct
services to clients. Relative to this, the Administration has seven divisions which consists ofthe following: Administrative, Legal, Finance and Management, Planning, Community
Service, Technical Service and Case Management and Records.
Four staff divisions, namely, Administrative, Planning, Finance and Management, andLegal perform staff function that are primarily designed for the internal affairs of the
Administration’s offices. They are concerned with the day to day operations essential for theorderly and effective management of the Administration’s activities.
On the other hand, technical services are done by three divisions namely, CaseManagement and Records, Community Service and Technical.
2. Personnel
In general, appointments of personnel at Parole and Probation Administration are inaccordance to merit and fitness to be determined as far as practicable by competitive
examination .It is in accordance with the Civil Service Law and Rules. There areotherregulations and standards that may be promulgated by the Career Executive Service Boardfor 3rd level position.
Appointments for the positions of Probation and Parole Officer I to Clerks are made by
the Regional Directors; Probation and Parole Office II to Supervising Probation and Parole
Officer are within the authority of the Probation Administrator; Chief Probation and Parole
Officer are appointed by the Secretary of Justice upon the recommendation of the Probation
Administrator; the Regional Directors, Deputy Administrator and the Probation
Administrator are all appointed by the President of the Philippines.
Entry qualification for probation and parole officers are at least 25 years of age, minimum
educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree with a major in social work, sociology,
psychology, criminology, penology, corrections, police administration, public administration,or related fields and with no criminal record.
Recruitment of field personnel is done on a region-wide level. Specifically, applicants
who are residents of the area where the vacancy occurs are given first preference. Only thosewho meet the requirements of the position being applied for e.g. age, education, eligibility areallowed to undergo the screening which includes interviews and psychological testing.
3. Training of Personnel
The training unit of the Parole and Probation Administration is primarily responsible forproviding training in specific professional courses and developing programs of trainers, andsuch training courses are conducted as in-house programs.Where there are available
specialized trainings offered by other government and or non-government agencies., selected
personnel are authorized to attend or enroll in said programs with fees paid by the Parole andProbation Administration.
Training in specific skills done on a need basis of the employee but the agency has an
initial training program mandatory to all employees newly hired.These are Employee
Orientation Courses for all newly hired employees and Parole and Probation Officers Basic
Course for newly appointed

probation and parole officers.

Actual Working Staff as of January 31, 2014
Probation and Parole Officers-

887

Lawyers-5

Administrative

-

404

-

1,296

Total
D. Main Tasks• Post Sentence Investigation

Alter conviction and sentence, an offender or his counsel files a petition for probation
with the trial court, which in turn orders the probation officer to conduct a post sentence
investigation to determine whether or not an offender may be placed on probation. The grantof probation nis premised upon three conditions: 1)an application for probation by theoffender 2)an investigation conducted by the probation and parole officer 3)a determinationof by the court that the ends of justice and the best interest of the public as well as theoffender shall be served thereby. The grant of probation in effect suspends the execution of
the sentence of imprisonment.
• Pre-Parole Investigation
Prior to April 19, 1992, probation officers regularly visited provincial and city jails to
explain to prisoners the probation law and its benefits and how they can avail of thesebenefits in the event they are convicted and sentenced.

In a Resolution No.229, the Board of Pardons and Parole on April 22, 1991 directed theParole and Probation Administration to conduct pre-parole investigation of all sentenced
prisoners confined in prisons and jails within their jurisdiction.The purpose of which is todetermine whether offenders in prison may be qualified for parole or any form of executive
clemency and to discuss with them their plan after their release. The probation and parole
officers submit their pre parole assessment report to the Board of Pardons and Parole.
Offenders sentenced under the Indeterminate Sentence Law are eligible for parole after
serving their minimum sentence. The Rules of the Board of Pardons and Parole also providethat they may be considered for conditional pardon after service of one-half of their minimum
sentence.
• Supervision of Offenders
The Parole and Probation Administration supervises two types of offenders underconditional release: (1) Probationers or persons placed under probation by the courts and, (2)Parolees and Pardonees or prisoners released on parole or conditional pardon and referred by
the Board of Pardons and Parole to the Parole and Probation Administration.
Before November 1989, parolee and pardonees were supervised by the judges of themunicipal an d city courts within whose jurisdiction these offenders resided. This function ofsupervising parolees and pardonees was transferred from the trial courts to the Parole andProbation Administration by virtue of Executive Order No. 292 which took effect on
November 23, 1989.Thereafter, all prisoners released on parole by the Board of Pardons andParole were turned over to the Parole and Probation Administration for supervision.
With respect to probationers, offenders placed on probation by the courts are turned overto the Parole and Probation Administration for supervision. The objectives of probation
supervision are to carry out the conditions set forth in the probation order, to ascertain
whether the probationer is following said conditions, and to bring about the rehabilitation of
the probationer and his re-integration into the community.

E. Probation and Parole Supervision
1.Types of Community Measures/OrdersType

Description/Eligible Offender

Sentencing/Authority

Supervision/Treatment
PeriodAdult

Persons Under Suspension of Criminal Court

PeriodProbation

Execution of sentence

maximum

of

is

a

of

Six

of

the

Years
Parolees

Conditional release of Prisoner Board of Pardons and Expirationfrom Correctional institution Parole

Maximum Sentence

after serving the minimum
prison sentence
Conditional

Prisoners who have served at Office of the President

As recommended by

Pardonees

least one half of the maximum

theof the original prison term

President

OfficeofSection 3(a) of Presidential Decree 968 defines probation as a disposition under which an
accused, after conviction and sentence is released subject to conditions imposed by the court
and to the supervision of a probation officer. It is a privilege granted by the court; it cannot be
availed of as a matter of right by a person convicted of a crime.To enjoy the benefits ofprobation, it must be shown that an applicant has none of the disqualifications imposed bylaw.
2. Conditions of Probation
The grant of probation is accompanied by conditions imposed by the court.There are two
types of conditions that must be adhere to. These are the general mandatory conditions andthe discretionary conditions which are both incorporated in every probation order issued by
the court.
2.a Mandatory Conditions
The mandatory conditions require that the probationer shall (a) present himself tothe probation officer assigned to undertake the supervision at each place as may be
specified in the order within 72 hours from receipt of said order. and, (b) report to theprobation officer at least once a month at such time and place as specified by said order.
2.b Discretionary Conditions
Discretionary conditions are those additional conditions imposed on the probationer
which are geared towards his correction and rehabilitation outside of prison and in thecommunity to which probationer resides. The court may require probationer to: (a)cooperate with aprogram of supervision thru a therapeutic community modality (b)themeet his family responsibilities (c) devote himself to a specific employment

and not

to change said employment without the prior written approval of the probation officer(d) undergo medical, psychological or psychiatric examination and treatment and enterand remain in a specified institution, whenrequired for that purpose.;(e) pursue aprescribed secular study or vocational training; (f) attend or reside in a facility
established for instruction, creation or residence or persons on probation;(g) refrainfrom visiting houses of ill-repute;(h) abstain from drinking intoxicating beverages toexcess;(i) permit the probation officer or an authorized social worker to visit his homeor place of work;(j) reside at premises approved by it and not to change his residence
without

prior written approval ; or (k) satisfy any other condition related to therehabilitation of the defendant and not unduly restrictive of his liberty or incompatible
with his freedom of conscience.
A violation of any of the conditions may lead either to a more restrictive modification of
the same or the revocation of the grant of probation. Consequent to the revocation, theprobationer will have to serve the sentence originally imposed.
3. Implementation of Probation and Parole Supervision
3.a Modification of conditions of probation
During the period of probation, the court may, upon application of either the
probationers or the probation officer, revise or modify the conditions or period ofprobation. The court shall notify either the probationer or the probation officer of thefiling of such an application so as to give both parties an opportunity to be heard
thereon.
The court shall inform in writing the probation officer and the probationer of any
change in the period or conditions of probation.
3.b Transfer of Residence
The probationer and his probation program shall be under the control of the court
which placed him on probation subject to actual supervision and visitation by aprobation officer.
Whenever a probationer is permitted to reside in a place under the jurisdiction ofanother court, control over him shall be transferred to the executive judge of theregional trial court of that place, and in such a case, a copy of the probation order, theinvestigation report and other pertinent records shall be furnished to said executive
judge. Thereafter, the executive judge to whom the jurisdiction over the probationer
was transferred shall have the power with respect to the probationer that waspreviously possessed by the court which granted the probation.

The transfer of residence of a parolee or pardonee is requested by the Supervising
Probation and Parole Officer to the Chief Probation and Parole Officer which said
request is forwarded to the Board of Pardons and Parole for an issuance of a board
resolution approving the request of transfer of residence.
3.c Revocation
At any time during probation, the court may issue a warrant for the arrest of aprobationer for any serious violation of the conditions of probation. The
probationer ,once arrested and detained, shall immediately be brought before the court
for a hearing of the violation charged . The defendant may be given bail pending such
hearing. In such case, the provisions regarding release on bail of a person charged withcrime shall be applicable to probationers arrested under this provision.
In the hearing, which shall be summary in nature, the probationer shall have theright to be informed of the violation charged and to adduce evidence in his favor. The
court shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence but may inform itself of all thefacts which are material and relevant to ascertain the veracity of the charge. The stateshall be represented by a prosecuting officer in any contested hearing. If the violation isestablished, the court may revoke or continue his probation and modify the conditions
thereof. If revoked, the court shall order the probationer to serve the sentence originallyimposed. An order revoking the grant of probation or modifying the terms andconditions thereof shall not be appealable.
Once the parolee/pardonee commits infraction on the conditions embodied in theirdischarge on parole/conditional pardon, the supervising probation and parole officer
shall prepare an infraction report to the Board of Pardons and Parole thru the Technical
Service Division of the agency to be submitted to the Board of Pardons and Parole for
its approval.
3.d Termination of Probation/Parole
After the period of probation and upon consideration of the report andrecommendation of the probation officer , the court may order the final discharge of theprobationer upon finding that he has fulfilled the terms and conditions of his probationand thereupon the case is deemed terminated.
The final discharge of the probationer shall operate to restore to him all civilrights lost or suspended as a result of his conviction and to fully discharge his liability
for any fine imposed as to the offense for which probation was granted.
The probationer and his probation officer shall each be furnished with a copy ofsuch order of termination.
The Supervising Probation and Parole Officer prepares the Summary Report upon
expiration of the maximum sentence as stated in the Discharge on Parole/Conditional

Pardon and submitted to the Chief Probation and Parole Officer and thereafter to theTechnical Service Division and said division to submit to the Board of Pardons andParole for an issuance of an Resolution of termination
4. Assessment, Classification and Level of Supervision of Probationers and Parolees
The agency has established a case classification system for effective caseload
management. The standards of criteria of case classification are offense; social/environmental
factors, individual characteristics/personality problems; individual characteristics/personality
problems; education; motives; and, employable skills.
4.1 Levels of Supervision
4.1.a Maximum supervisionThis requires personal contact at least once a week with the probationer/parolee
including at least a once a month report in person at the probation office to attend to theladderized therapeutic community program. This also requires multiple services fromthe probation office and the community resources available. The probation officers
provide their clients with services such as employment assistance, vocational training,education, medical assistance and seed money for livelihood activities and homeindustries.
4.1b.Medium supervisionThis requires once a month personal contact with the probationer/parolee andattendance to therapeutic community ladderized program and few services from theprobation office and/or community resources.
4.1c. Minimum SupervisionThis requires a once a month personal contact and attendance to the therapeuticcommunity ladderized program.

F. Halfway Houses
The Parole and Probation Administration has an ongoing construction of a halfway
house project at Guimaras, Region V1. However, since the building is still under construction,
it is not yet operational.
On October 23, 2013, the Parole and Probation Administration, as the first party, theBoard of Pardons and Parole as the second party and the Sikatuna First Baptist Church as thethird party entered into a Memorandum of Agreement where the Sikatuna First Baptist
Church at Quezon City agreed to serve as a halfway house for the reintegration ofparolees/pardonees who have been recently released from prison or jail to thecommunity.They shall provide active rehabilitation treatment program for residents and nonresidents such as counseling, socialization and livelihood projects.
G. Specific Measures /Programmes of Community Corrections
G.1 Therapeutic Community Ladderized Program (TCLP)The Therapeutic Community Ladderized Program integrates TC tools, norms andmethods with probation and parole requirements, implemented in progressive phases within
the non-residential community based setting of the Parole and Probation Administration
program for clients.
G.2 Restorative Justice
It is the philosophical foundation of the rehabilitation program of the agency throughrestorative justice processes such as mediation, conferencing and circle of support..```

II. PARTICIPATION OF THE COMMUNITY
The Parole and Probation and Probation Administration has used techniques inmotivating community involvement in the rehabilitation of the probationer/parolee/pardonee
through its Volunteer Probation Aide (VPA) program. The first is an information campaign inorder to stimulate the members of the community to have an interest and support therehabilitation program, for if the community does not give a penitent offender another chancein life , recidivism will continue to be a perennial criminal justice system problem. The
second is the positive incentive program instilling in the minds of the members of thecommunity that he has something to gain if a penitent offender is given another chance , thatis freedom from fearof having this penitent offender transformed into ahardened

criminal if put behind bars. The other probation rehabilitation approach to get community
involvement is the social accountability approach that is an individual helping a neighbor in
need, the development of emotional dimension of interaction of people caring for others andthis is done by involving the probationer in various community projects.
1.A Mission
To promote the Rehabilitation and development of Parole and Probation Administration
Clients through a competent corps of volunteers using the holistic approach in volunteer andcommunity resource development.

2.B Status
The volunteer probation aides do not receive any regular compensation for services
rendered except for a reasonable travel allowance when they supervise an assigned
probationer, parolee or pardonee at a maximum of five clients.
They shall hold office for a period of five years.
3.C Main Tasks
1. To amplify the extent of services rendered to the clients in an effective yet
economical means through the use of volunteers;
2. To develop a competent corps of Volunteer Probation Aides who will assist Paroleand Probation Administration Officers in the effective supervision of its clients;
3. To inculcate greater citizen awareness and understanding of the criminal justicesystem and its components;
4. To enhance community participation in crime prevention, treatment of offenders
and criminal justice administration; and,5. To foster an attitude of meaningful involvement in the social, economic, culturaland political affairs of the community.

4.D Appointment/ Recruitment
A. Strategies for Recruitment
1. Public Information Campaign/Information Drivea. Identification of Possible candidates through personal invitation, informal interviews,
referrals, letters to interested applicants from all sectors.
b. Conduct preparatory meeting with field officers on information drive.
c. Schedule orientation or briefing of potential Volunteer Probation Aide candidates.
d. Aim for quality candidates rather than quantity
e. Recruit individually rather than in a group.
2. Establishment of Linkages
a. Referral systemb. Courtesy call to heads of organizations (GO/NGO) re Volunteer Probation Aide
Program Identification and Exploration of Possible volunteers during field work orhome visits to clients.
3. Preference in Recruitment

a. Seek candidates with character, competence and commitment
b. Seek candidates with strong involvement in community, civic, social or religious
affairs

B. Screening/Selection of Volunteer Probation Aide’s
1. Qualifications of Volunteer Probation Aide’sa. Preferably 35 years or older
b. A reputable member of the community and of good moral characterc. Preferably a resident of the same community as the clientd. Preferably with adequate source of income or financially able
e. Willing to serve without compensation
f. Willing to prepare reports
g. No criminal record or conviction except former clients with exemplary behavior fit to
be role models
h. With adequate good health
2. Requirements
a. Duly accomplished Volunteer Probation Aide application form with two ID pictures
b. Certification of Barangay Chairman as to place of residencec. Indorsement of and/or certification of Chief Probation and Parole Officer/Officer In
Charge based on background investigation
d. Recommendation of the Regional Director/Regional Officer –in-Charge
3. Appointment Procedurea. Candidate accomplishes the Volunteer Probation Aide application form.
b. Officer conducts background investigationc. Chief Probation and Parole Officer/Officer In Charge endorses application withrequired documents to the Regional Office.
d. Regional Director/Regional Officer-In-Charge recommends application to the
Administrator
e. Community Service Division reviews and evaluates application form and attachments,
and prepares appointment.
f. Administrator signs appointment for a five-year term.

g. Community Service Division officially notifies the Regional Directors of Volunteer
Probation Aide’s appointedh. Department of Justice Secretary attests appointment
i. Volunteer Probation Aide takes an Oath of Office administered by the Chief Probation
and Parole Officer/Officer In Charge concerned.
j. Parole and Probation Administration issues Volunteer Probation Aide Identification
Card to be surrendered upon termination or revocation of appointment, or uponrenewal of Identification Card.
4. Capacity Building and Training
The training course is focused on the areas where the Volunteer Probation Aide needssome knowledge, namely:i.

Probation- the mandate, objectives,principles and methods as embodied in
Presidential Decree No. 968 and its amendments;

ii.

Basic Volunteer Probation Aide Course- The rationale for volunteer services,mechanics of probation supervision work, duties,

and functions andresponsibilities of a volunteer probation aideiii.

Therapeutic Community Modality –iv.

Restorative JusticeIV. STATISTICS
A. Number of Offenders (As of 2013)•

Total Admission Number
PROBATIONERSPAROLEES

29,236•PARDONEES

13,758TOTAL

408

43,402

Number by Type of Offense (As of 2013)

CRIMES
Crimes Against Public Interest

PROBATIONERSPAROLEES PARDONEES

TOTAL

342

1

0

343

8,976

55

26

9,057

Crimes Against Persons

6,468

8,500

210

15,178Crimes Against Property

5,538

3,139

85

8,762

Crimes Against Chastity

1,523

452

28

2003

Crimes Relative to Opium andOther Prohibited Drugs

Crimes Against Security

690

0

0

690

Crimes Against Honor

538

55

0

593

Crimes Against Special Laws

4,937

1,431

37

6,405

Crimes Against Public Officer

67

98

0

165

Crimes Against Ordinance

28

21

22

71

Crimes Against Public Moral

22

1

0

23

Multiple Crime

107

0

0

107

Crimes Against Public Order

0

5

0

5

Crimes Against Liberty

0

0

0

0

Crimes Against The Civil Status

0

0

0

0

29,236

13,758408

43,402of Persons
TOTAL•

Number by Gender (As of 2013)

SEX

PROBATIONERS

Male

26,20813,448392

40,048

Female

3,028

310

16

3,354

TOTAL

29,236

13,758408

43,402

B. Recidivism Rate

PAROLEESPARDONEES

TOTAL- within 1 year

PROBATIONERS

-

1.96%

PAROLEES-

1.25%

PARDONEES

-

0.49%

C. Number of Personnel

No. of Probation and Parole Officers (as of January 2014)-887

No. of Volunteer Probation Aides (as of March 2014)-

13,507

D. Average caseload

Ave. No. of Cases Handled per PPO-

48

E. Budget

The Budget release by the Department of Budget and Management for the Volunteer
Probation Aide Program of Parole and Probation Administration is P 5,470,000.00