The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has stated stronger partnerships with international organizations to further improve the management of prison facilities under its jurisdiction.

“Strengthened international partnerships will be vital as the Philippines and global stakeholders continue to work toward addressing complex issues within the justice sector,” said BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr.

Last June 17, a delegation from the United States congressional staff in partnership with the United Nations Foundation (UNF), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) visited the BuCor headquarters in Muntinlupa City.

In a statement, the BuCor said that members of the delegation obtained first-hand information on the living conditions of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) and the ongoing activities at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP).

The visit also provided an opportunity to identify recent improvements and the challenges that still linger, it also said.

During the visit, it added that one of the issues raised was the custodial deaths of inmates which the UNODC has been actively working with BuCor to address.

A technical working group (TWG) has been established to create a unified approach among various agencies managing detention facilities and efforts include mandating autopsies and developing an interagency health policy to extend health insurance coverage to PDLs, the BuCor said.

At the same time, the BuCor said that the members of the delegation were briefed on the newly developed Violent Extremist Offender (VEO) Risk Assessment Tool.

The tool, it said, is aimed at classifying and managing violent extremist offenders efficiently and is aligned with the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (NAPCVE).

Also, prison congestion was discussed and the bureau disclosed the initiatives being implemented like compassionate release, eliminating unnecessary overstay, and minimizing inter-agency red tape.