The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) hailed a documentary, which it said, highlighted the “transformative journey of the New Marawi City Jail’’ and its impact on the Philippine correctional system.

The 20-minute documentary titled "New Jail, New Ways" and directed by Juan Paolo Gopez chronicles the five-month transition planning process for the New Marawi City Jail and provided an in-depth look at its transformation from an overcrowded and outdated facility to a modern correctional institution that upholds human rights and rehabilitation-centered policies.

BJMP Chief Jail Director Ruel Rivera emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating that the New Marawi City Jail represents the bureau’s commitment to humane and secure jail management.

“Through this documentary, we hope to inspire further innovations in jail management, ensuring that persons deprived of liberty are given the opportunity for genuine reform and reintegration into society,” Rivera said.

Rivera noted that the new facility was designed to address gaps and challenges in rehabilitation efforts, as its infrastructure now conforms to international humanitarian standards.

𝗦𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀

Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most congested correctional systems, “New Jail, New Ways” highlights how the BJMP, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Australian government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), developed a pioneering transition plan for the facility. 

“Constructed under Task Force Bangon Marawi following the devastation of the 2017 Marawi siege, the New Marawi City Jail integrates international standards in classification, risk assessment, and security protocols for persons deprived of liberty (PDL),’’the BJMP said.

From its initial facility design in 2018 to its inauguration in June 2024, the film captures the challenges and breakthroughs of modernizing jail management in a post-conflict area.

Through exclusive interviews with jail officials, officers, community partners and PDLs, the documentary underscores the critical role of policy reforms, capacity-building, and inter-agency collaboration in reshaping the future of correctional facilities in the country. 

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗝𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀

The screening also marked the official opening of the Jail and Prison Design Conference, a five-day gathering of engineers and architects from the BJMP and Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), international experts, and students from selected academic institutions. 

The conference will focus on sustainable and humane jail management solutions, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, policy reforms, and rehabilitation programs for PDL.

Among the key attendees were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Serafin Barretto, Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Deo Marco, Associate Justice Jaime Fortunato A. Caringal of the Court of Appeals, BuCor Director-General Gregorio Catapang, and Australian Embassy Second Secretary Matthew Boyall. 

“Government and non-government partners of the UNODC and BJMP, who have contributed to projects in Marawi and other BJMP facilities, also participated in the event,’’ the BJMP added.

The documentary held on March 10 was held at the SM North Cinema 7 through the partnership of the BJMP and the UNODC.

The event was made possible through the generous support of SM Prime Holdings Inc., which sponsored the venue for the screening.