Senate approves jail management bill

MANILA – The Senate has approved on second reading Senate Bill (SB) 2352, also known as the “Act transferring the control and supervision of the provincial and sub-provincial jails to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).”

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, the sponsor and one of the authors of the measure, introduced and accepted amendments for SB 2352, which will be referred to as the “Jail Management Act.”

The other authors of the measure include Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, as well as Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito.

“The BJMP may be charged with the handling of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), but it is the humble opinion of this representation that the liberty to manage our jails must be given to them, fully and without exemption, under the law,” dela Rosa said during his sponsorship speech on July 26, 2023.

Under the measure, the management, control, and supervision of provincial and sub-provincial jails, along with all associated property, equipment, and finances, will be transferred to the BJMP, in accordance with existing laws.

Additionally, a three-year transition period will be established starting from the law’s effective date.

During this transition period, the respective provincial government will remain responsible for funding inmates’ subsistence allowance and maintaining the jail facility. This includes covering expenses such as electricity, water, and necessary repairs until complete control and supervision of the facility are transferred to the BJMP.

The employees and personnel of provincial and sub-provincial jails will have security of tenure and will be automatically absorbed by the BJMP, provided they meet the qualification standards outlined in Republic Act (RA) 9263, commonly known as the “Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology Professionalization Act of 2004,” as amended, along with other relevant laws, rules, and regulations set forth by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Individuals who do not meet the qualification standards at the time of transfer will be granted a five-year period following the conclusion of the transition period to fulfill the necessary requirements.

The provincial government is urged to automatically absorb employees who reached the mandatory BJMP retirement age at the time the law took effect.

Employees who choose to separate from the service due to the transfer will receive separation benefits in accordance with existing laws. Furthermore, those eligible for retirement will be permitted to retire and receive all benefits stipulated under existing retirement laws.