`.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This  bill  seeks  to  professionalize  the  practice  of  prison  management  and  set  the
qualifications of the superintendents and wardens of prisons all over the country to ensure
that the  officials  heading  our  penal  system  are  duly  capable  and  competent  in  performing
their responsibilities.
The  top  three  crimes  committed  by the jailed  individuals  are  homicide,  murder and
rape.   The   staggering   numbers   are   reflected   in   the   dismal   situation   in   our  jails.   Over
crowdedness  have lead to epidemics and other untoward  incidents such as jail  breaks and
fights.  Because of the difficult conditions and situations the officials of these lock ups face on
a  daily  basis,  there  is  a  clear  need  to  ensure  that  the  heads  of  the  penal  facilities  are
properly   educated,    trained    and    experienced    in    handling    the   various   and    complex
circumstances of the country's penitentiary system.
This  measure  requires  the  superintendents  of the  country's  national  prison  system
hold  a  bachelor's  degree  in  Law,  preferably  licensed  practitioners,  or  have  a  bachelor's
degree  in  Public  Administration,  and  have  educational  training  Psychology  or  Sociology.
While the wardens of provincial, city or municipal jails must have a bachelor's degree in Law,
Public  Administration,   Psychology  or  its   equivalent  with   an   educational   background   in
Behavioral   Science  or  Social  Sciences.   Nominees  and   incumbent  superintendents  and
wardens are obliged to attend  courses and  seminars on Jail  Manageinent and  Corrections
Administration.  Serving  officials  need  to  pass  these  said  courses  in  order  to  retain  their
positions. Through this act, the prison officials may be sent for training abroad.
Furthermore,  this  bill  ensures  that the  superintendents  and  wardens  shall  enjoy the
benefits and privileges of their rank and position given they satisfy the requirements stated in
this  Act.  The  incumbents  shall  continue  to  perform  their  roles  and  responsibilities  of their
respective  rank  and  position  until  they  are  reassigned,  retire,  separated  from  officer  or
replaced by the appointing authority with a qualified official.
The   country's   penal   system   and   the   officials   that   head   the   organization   play
significant  roles  in  the  maintenance  of the justice  and  safety  in  our country.  To  guarantee
that this integral  agency and  its officials continue appropriately carry out their functions,  the
passage of this bill is earnestly sought.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                            )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez                            _
HouseBillNo.   5375
AN ACT
TO  PROFESSIONALIZE  THE  PRACTICE  OF  PRISON  MANAGEMENT  AND  SET  FOR
THAT  PURPOSE  THE  QUALIFICATION  FOR  SUPERINTENDENTS  OF  THE  NATIONAL
PRISON SYSTEM AND OF WARDENS OF PROVINCIAL, CITY OR MUNICIPAL JAILS
B_e  it  enacted  by.th_e  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives  of  the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled..
SECTION   1.      Title.   -  This   Act   shall   be   known   as   the   Proresst.ona/t.zaf/.on   of  Pri.son
Management Act.
SECTION  2.      Qualifications  of  Superintendents  of  Prisons  in  the  National  Prison
System.   All Superintendents of Prisons or Colonies or Prison Farms of the National Prison
System shall have the following qualifications at the time of their appointment:
(a)    Holder of a  Bachelor's  Degree  in  Law,  preferably a  member of the  Philippine
Bar;  or a  Bachelor's  degree  in  Public Administration,  or its  equivalent with  at
least twelve (12) units in Psychology or Sociology;
(b)    Training  and  experience  of  at  least  five  (5)  years  in  corrections  and  prison
management; and
(c)      Of good  moral  character with  a  reputation  in  the  community for  probity and
fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor
charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude.
SECTION  3.        Qualifications  of Wardens  of  Provincial,  City  or  Municipal  Jails.    All
wardens of Provincial,  City or Municipal Jails shall  have the following qualifications:
(a)    Holder of a Bachelor's Degree in Law,  Public Administration,  Psychology or its
equivalent, with at least twelve (12) units in Behavioral Sciences, Sociology or
Psychology;
(b)     Training  and  experience of at least three (3) years  in  corrections and  prison
management; and
(c)       Of good  moral  character with  a  reputation  in  the  community for probity and
fair-mindedness and who has never been convicted of a criminal offense nor
charged administratively for an act involving moral turpitude.
SECTION  4.       Jail  Management  and  Corrections  Administration  Training.  -     The
Integrated  National  Police  and/or the  National  Police  Academy  shall  conduct  courses  and
seminars on Jail  Management and  corrections administration for nominees and  incumbents
of Prison Superintendent or Jail Warden positions.   Incumbent superintendents and wardens


shall be required to pass courses for jail management and corrections administration in order
to retain their positions.
SECTION 5.     Equivalence of position, Rank, Salary and privileges. -Superintendents
of  the  National  Prison  System  shall  enjoy  the  position,  rank,  salary  and  privileges  of  an
Assistant Bureau Director, provincial, city and municipal jail wardens shall enjoy the position,
rank,   salary   and   privileges   of   a   Division   Head   of   a   Bureau:       Provided,   That   said
Superintendents or Wardens shall have the qualifications herein set forth:   Provided, further,
That incumbents shall have to first qualify for the requirements of the position herein set forth
before they can  enjoy the  position,  rank,  salary and  privileges  herein  set forth:    Provided,
finally  that  said  incumbents  shall  continue  to  discharge  the  duties  of  Superintendent  or
Warden  until  reassigned,  retired  or  separated  from  office,  or  otherwise  replaced  by  the
appointing authority by a qualified official.
SECTION.   6.        Separability  Clause.   -   lf  any   part  of  this   Act   shall   be   held   to   be
unconstitutional  or  invalid,  other  parts  or  provisions  hereof which  are  not  affected  thereby
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
SECTION  7.     Repealing clause. -   Any provision of law,  decree,  order,  rule or regulation
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SECTION 8.      Effectivity.  -   This Act shall take effect upon approval and  completion of its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,