The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has started implementing a "cashless system" for persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and jail guards in their purchases of goods and other items inside the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
“The Cashless Prison System is one of the policies of the Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. aimed at eliminating corruption and illegal activities involving cash transactions within prison camps,” BuCor said in a statement.
“Not only prisoners but also corrections officers are prohibited from possessing cash under this policy,” it said.
Also, the system "will instill discipline among bureau personnel and discourage them from handling the money of PDLs," it also said.
Under the system, PDLs are required to deposit their money and are given "passbooks that clearly indicate the amount they deposited," BuCor said.
“This passbook serves as an account holder to track the PDLs' transactions for transparency. They can use the passbook to purchase goods or commodities at the Inmate Post Exchange (IPX),” it said.
The system was first enforced last Nov. 16 at the NBP's minimum security compound.
BuCor said that as of Nov. 17, a total of 545 PDLs had deposited their cash totalling P301,179.