BuCor needs more corrections officers 'to supervise effectively' 48,576 PDLs

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has pushed for the hiring of more corrections officers “to handle more effectively and efficiently” the large number of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in its seven prison facilities nationwide.
As of March 14, BuCor said it has 3,916 personnel who are managing and supervising 48,576 PDLs.
In a statement, BuCor said the ideal ratio is one corrections officer for every seven PDLs.
BuCor said its officials met with representatives of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and discussed the need for additional 5,000 corrections officers 1 and at least 195 corrections inspectors/technical inspectors “to gradually achieve the ideal personnel-PDLs ratio.”
It said that BuCor’s Deputy Director for Planning and Management Teresa Guevarra and CTSupt. John Paul U. Santos, acting director for administration, met with DBM officials.
It said that “Guevarra and Santos emphasized the need and concern for corrections inspectors who will oversee the daily custodial management operations of BuCor.”
“These inspectors will serve as the vital link between the upper management ranks who perform the essential decision-making duties and the non-commissioned officers who carry out the daily duties of BuCor,” it added.
It pointed out that Director General Gerald Q. Bantag has been pushing the “strengthening of the country’s Correction System and Service to further support and solidify the Philippine Justice System by gradually achieving the United Nations Minimum standard of personnel-PDL ratio.”