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FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
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OF THE PHILIPPINES 
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Second Regular Session 
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'12 
Ar)r~ 19 1'2 :;'l) 
SEN~TJI 
S. No. 
~n 70 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 15, Section 1 provides: "The State recognizes the Filipino 
family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively 
promote its total development." 
Parental incarceration creates additional challenges for children and families, often 
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resu tlllg 111: 
1. Financial instability and material hardship, with financial problems the most severe 
for already vulnerable families and caregivers who support contact between the 
incarcerated parent and his or her child2 
2. Instability in family relationships and structure, and residential mobilitl 
3. School behavior and performance problems4; and 
4. Shame, social and institutional stigmaS 
Increased visitation between incarcerated parents and their children can reduce the 
anxiety and sense of loss children of incarcerated parents experience. This bene±icial, low-cost 
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activity also contributes to a reduction in future crimes committed by, and incarceration of, 
children of incarcerated parents. 6 
Further, participation in a comprehensive visitation program allows children of 
incarcerated parents to build relationships with caring adults and experience opportunities for 
I http://21l.idaho.gov/pdflCOlP Factsheet.pdf. 
2 Garfinkel, \., Geller, A., & Cooper, C. (2007). Parental Incarceration in Fragile Families: Summary of 
Three Year Findings. A report to the Annie E. Casey Foundation (unpublished); Hairston, C. Finney. (2007). 
3 Jd. 
, 2 Hairston, C. F. (2007); Hanlon, T. E., Blatchley, R. J., Bennett-Sears, T., O'Grady, K. E., Rose, M., & 
Callaman, J. M. (2005). Vulnerability of children of incarcerated addict mothers: Implications for preventive 
intervention. Children and Youth Services Review, 27, 67~ 84. 
, Hairston, C. F. (2007). 
6 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/gueryiz?cI12:H.R.2464.IH:. 
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meaningful involvement and membership, helping to reduce the negative effects of parent-child 
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separatIOn. 
Thus, this bill authorizes the Secretary of Justice to provide grants to nonprofit 
organizations (hat carry out child-parent visitation programs for children with incarcerated 
parents. 
Ltw'-
~..?l« . .4~ . n~ 
MIRIAM DEF\j,SOR S~rli'fU 
pJY 
7ld 
2 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
Second Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SE~I~o 
S.No. ___ _ 
"17 
~PH 19 \'7 :l9 
.... r:;.. 
'J<-r 
Introduced by Senator Mirimn Defensor Santiago 
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AN ACT 
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AUTHORIZING A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO NONPROFIT 
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ORGANIZATIONS THAT CARRY OUT CHILD-PARENT VISITATION PROGRAMS FOR 
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CHILDREN WITH INCARCERATED PARENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House 0/ Representatives a/the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Families Beyond Bars Act". 
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SECTION 2. Definition a/Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the term: 
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(1) 
"Eligible Children" means individnals who are not younger thml age five (5) and 
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are not older than age eighteen (18); and have at least one parent who 
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(A) 
is incarcerated in prison; 
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(B) 
during the three-month petiod preceding participation in the activities canied out 
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by a qualified organization, has displayed exemplary compliance with the 
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disciplinary regulations of the prison, and during such pm1icipation, continues to 
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display exemplary compliance with such disciplinary regulations; and 
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(C) 
has never been convicted of or pled guilty to any offense involving child abuse or 
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any sex offense against a minor. 
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(2) 
"Leadership Development Programming" means programs that help children and 
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adnlts acquire the knowledge, attitudes, mld skills associated with the core areas of social and 
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emotional competency, including: 
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(A) 
self-awareness and self-management to achieve school and life success, such as 
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identifying and recognizing strengths, needs, emotions, values and self-efficacy, 
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impulse control and stress management, self-motivation and discipline, and goal 
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setting and organizational skills; 
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(B) 
(C) 
(3) 
social awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive 
relationships, such as self-esteem and respect for others, communication, working 
cooperatively, negotiation, conflict management, and help-seeking; and 
decision-making skills and responsible behaviors in personal, academic and 
community contexts, such as situational analysis, problem solving, reflection, and 
personal, social, and ethical responsibility. 
"Qualified Organization" means an entity that carries out child-parent visitation 
programs that foster and develop familial ties between eligible children and their incarcerated 
parents, and that is: 
(A) 
a nonprofit organization with the capacity Cas determined by the Department of 
Justice) to carry out such visitation programs nationwide; 
(8) 
(C) 
(4) 
(A) 
(8) 
(C) 
CD) 
(E) 
(F) 
a nonprofit community-based or faith-based organization; or 
a partnership of two or more organizations or entities described in subparagraphs 
(A) or (B). 
"Qualified Program Facilitator" means an individual who: 
is licensed as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or mental health professional, 
or is working under the direct supervision of such a licensed individual; 
is licensed as a social worker or working under the direct supervision of a licensed 
social worker; 
is a licensed or certified counselor of mental health, including an individual, 
school, or family counselor or therapist; 
is an otherwise licensed or certified mental health professional qualified to 
provide services to children and adolescents; 
has five (5) or more years of experience working with children in a counseling 
capacity; or 
has undergone a criminal background check, and has completed an orientation 
and all in-service training that is provided by a grantee for facilitators of a child-
parent visitation program for eligible children. 
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SECTION 3. Beyond Bars Grant Program.-
(1) 
(A) 
(B) 
(2) 
Grant Program Established. -
Grants Authorized. - The Department of Justice is authorized to award grants to 
qualified organizations to carry out, directly or through subgrants to other entities, 
child-parent visitation programs that foster and develop familial ties between 
eligible children and their incarcerated parents. 
Grant Period; Renewability. - A grant awarded under this section shall be for not 
less than a three-year period and not more than a five-year period, and may be 
renewed. 
Grant Uses. - Grants awarded under this section may be used by a qualified 
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organization to--
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(A) 
(B) 
(C) 
(D) 
(E) 
(F) 
(G) 
(H) 
organize and lead group meetings, in accordance with sUbsection (3); 
provide counseling to eligible children, and to their incarcerated parents; 
select one or more qualified program facilitators to--
(i) 
(ii) 
organize and lead group meetings, in accordance with subsection (3); and 
provide counseling to eligible children, and to their incarcerated parents; 
provide to one or more such qualified program facilitators a monthly stipend in 
accordance with subsection (4); 
provide transportation for eligible children to attend such group meetings, and 
provide volunteer support to assist in such transportation; 
provide security for eligible children during such group meetings, and comply 
with applicable security procedures required by the facility at which the eligible 
children's parents are incarcerated; 
provide enrichment activities for incarcerated parents of eligible children during 
incarceration and pre-release, including parenting classes and transition programs; 
provide cOimections to and coordination with community and social services and 
other support to eligible children, incarcerated parents, and individuals who serve 
as guardians of eligible children while the eligible children's parents are 
incarcerated; 
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(1) 
(J) 
(K) 
(L) 
obtain program materials and other supplies necessary to carry out other grant 
activities required or permitted under this subsection; 
conduct periodic evaluations of the activities carried out with a grant under this 
section, including volunteer reclUitment, parental support and development, 
measurement of children's oPPOliunities to build meaningful relationships with 
caring adults, and measurement of children's opportunities for meaningful 
involvement and membership; 
develop best practices regarding child-paTent visitation programs for eligible 
children and their incarcerated parents, based on thc evaluations conducted under 
paragraph (J); 
provide age-appropriate enrichment activities for children, including activities 
related to basic life skills, hygiene, healthy and drug-free habits, social skills, and 
building self-esteem and confidence; 
(M) 
coordinate the logistics of the child-paTent visitation program with the 
correctional facility at which the eligible children's parents are incaTcerated; 
(N) 
supervise adult volunteers who are assisting with the child-parent visitation 
program, whether such volunteers are working as individuals or as part of a team; 
and 
(0) 
(3) 
conduct outreach activities to recruit eligible children. 
Group Meetings. -
The group meetings organized and led by a qualified 
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organization with a grant under this section shall be supervised and facilitated by a qualified 
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program facilitator in accordance with the provisions of this section, and-
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(A) 
(B) 
may include meetings for parents that provide an opportunity for incarcerated 
parents of eligible children to obtain and improve parenting skills to ensure strong 
family foundations upon release, which may include evidence-based programs 
and emerging best practices; and 
shall include the following: 
(i) 
Child-Parent Meetings. - At least one day each month, a meeting that 
provides an opportunity for eligible children to visit their incarcerated 
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parents in the prison facility in which their parents are incarcerated, and to 
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take part in child-parent activities based on evidence-based programs and 
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emerging best practices that foster and develop familial ties. Such meeting 
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shall provide a supportive environment for child-parent interaction, and 
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may include arts and crafts, games, community service projects, and 
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informal group mentoring sessions. 
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(ii) 
Meetings for Children. - At least one day each month, on a day other than 
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the day described in subparagraph (i), a meeting in a location other than a 
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prison facility that provides an opportunity for eligible children to build 
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interpersonal problem-solving skills, character, self-confidence, and self-
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esteem by: 
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(a) 
taking part in: 
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(1) 
activities based on evidence-based programs and emerging 
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best practices; 
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(II) 
community service projects; and 
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(III) 
recreational activities; and 
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(b) 
holding planning meetings. 
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(4) 
Stipend for Qualified Program Facilitators. - Not more than 45 percent of the 
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grant funds provided to a qualified organization under this section may be used to provide a 
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monthly stipend to qualified program facilitators. To be eligible to receive such a stipend, a 
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qualified program facilitator shall enter into an agreement with a qualified organization to 
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facilitate and supervise group meetings in accordance with the provisions of this section for not 
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less than a one-year period, in exchange for such stipend. Such agreement may be renewable, at 
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the discretion of the qualified organization, for additional one-year periods. 
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(5) 
Applications; Priority. -
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(A) 
Applications. - A qualified organization interested in receiving a grant under this 
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section shall submit an application to the DepaTtment of Justice at such time, in 
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such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary of Justice may 
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require. 
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(B) 
(6) 
(A) 
(B) 
Priority. - In awarding grants under this section, tlle Secretary of Justice may give 
priority as follows: 
(i) 
(ii) 
First, to qualified organizations that, before and on the date of enactment 
of this Act, are carrying out a child-parent visitation program for eligible 
children. 
Second, to qualified organizations which have a track record of providing 
research-based, 
evaluated, 
and 
effective 
leadership 
development 
programming. 
(iii) 
Third, to qualified organizations based on the quality of the organization's 
(iv) 
plan for measuring and assessing success of the program to be carried out 
with such a grant. 
Fourth, to qualified organizations based on the likelihood that the 
objectives of the program will be achieved by the organization. 
Regulations; Reports. -
Regulations. - The Secretary of Justice is authorized to issue such regulations as 
may be necessary to carry out this section. 
Reports by Organizations. - Each qualified organization receiving a grant under 
this section shall submit to the Secretary of Justice an annual report relating to the 
activities carried out with a grant under this section. Each such report shall 
include: 
(i) 
the evaluations conducted under this Act and the best practices developed, 
if any; 
(ii) 
demographic information about the eligible children served by the 
qualified organization; 
(iii) 
demographic information about any eligible children who applied to 
participate in the activities carried out with a grant under this section by 
the qualified organization, but who were not accepted foJ' participation; 
and 
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(iv) 
an evaluation of the effect of leadership development programming on the 
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social and emotional learning of the eligible children served by the 
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qualified organization. 
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(C) 
Reports by the Secretary of Justice. - Not later than one year after the date of 
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effectivity of this Act, and ammally thereafter, the Secretary of Justice shall 
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submit to Congress a report summarizing the annual reports submitted to the 
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Secretary of Justice. 
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SECTION 4. Authorization of Appropriations. - The amount necessary to carry out the 
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provisions of this Act is hereby authorized to be appropriated in the General Appropriations Act 
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of the year following the enactment of this law and every year thereafter. 
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SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be declared 
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unconstitutional, any other provision not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect. 
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SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations, or 
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parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
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SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (IS) days after its publication 
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in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
I11dp 18apl'20 12 
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