The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) has released 736 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) from its prison facilities nationwide in less than a month as of Wednesday, July 30.
In a statement, the BuCor said those freed included 554 PDLs whose maximum sentences had expired, 56 who had been acquitted of their criminal charges, 14 who had been granted probation, seven who had been granted habeas corpus,100 who had been granted parole, and five who had been turned over to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) due to pending cases.
Of those released, 37 PDLs were from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, six from CIW-Mindanao, 118 from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (DPPF), 77 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm (IPPF), 54 from the Leyte Regional Prison (LRP), 281 from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP), 71 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF); and 92 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SPPF).
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said the bureau has launched its Blue and Red Ribbon project which is “a reintegration awareness initiative to promote understanding, reduce stigma and strengthen after-care support for released PDLs.”
Under the project, BuCor plans to set up halfway houses in all its operating prison and penal farms nationwide, Catapang said.
The halfway houses will serve “not only as transitional residences but also as secure holding areas for individuals awaiting release and final settlement arrangements.”