Strengthening the coordinative mechanisms among institutions in the corrections pillar /
Rosana V. Solite.
- 44 leaves : color illustrations
Public Management and Development Program
The Department of Justice Development Plan (2017 2022) indicates that reforms in the correction systems must be pursued. It also indicates the need to establish a unified correction system. The Philippine Correctional System is the weakest link and the most fragmented pillar in the Criminal Justice System (Parole and Probation Administration, 2014). The situation is attributed to the fact that the agencies in charge of correction and rehabilitation of offenders are not well coordinated and each one is pursuing its own program of rehabilitation and systems structure in both policy and operations. Inefficiencies mark its operations and systems procedure notably in the processing and grant of parole and executive clemency applications and the conduct of rehabilitation programs. Further, gaps in the applications for probation that concern the court and other agencies in the criminal justice system are likewise present. As a result, jail congestion becomes a major problem. The institutional framework of the corrections pillar also contribute to the problem. To illustrate, the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA), the Bureau of Corrections (BUCOR) and the Board of Pardons and Parole fall under the Department of Justice (DOJ). Meanwhile, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) that supervises city and municipal jails is controlled by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG). Further, provincial jails are managed by the Local Government Units (LGUs) which are also under the DILG. Apart from the lack of integration and coordination in their programs of rehabilitation, the corrections pillar are also called the correction cluster under the Department of Justice receives the lowest budget among the justice sector agencies. This situation has affected the quality of interventions and services of the corrections pillar. The following are the alternative solutions to the current situation 1 Improvement in the Status Quo through a Memorandum of Agreement among the agencies involved in corrections with focus on the timeliness of action on matters pertaining to parole, pardon and executive clemency. 2. Designation of Liaison Officers through a Memorandum of Understanding, in every agency whose main responsibility is to coordinate with other correctional agencies with the end view of fast tracking the processing and information flow of parole and probation matters. 3. Formation of a Task Force with focus on reviewing specific cases involving inmates who are qualified for pardon, parole and or executive clemency. The aim is to render justice to those who have overstayed their sentences decongest penitentiaries. 4. Creation of an agency to be called the Philippine Corrections and Rehabilitation Authority (PCRA). The corrections pillar will now become one single entity with similar mandate and shared values. The recommended solution is the combination of the second and fourth policies. The proposal is to merge the agencies under the corrections pillar into one office with unified support and shared goals. Meanwhile, since the creation of PCRA requires political support, solution 2 could be pursued while working on the process of the creation of the new organization. Merging these agencies with similar mandates into one bureau will have the following benefits and advantages 1 The corrections pillar will now become one single entity with similar mandate and shared values. 2. There will be an increase in their stakeholder value and will result in becoming a strong force in lobbying for an increased budget from the national government thus ensuring its sustainability. 3. Efficiency in the delivery of services will be enhanced since there will be consolidation of staff with similar expertise thereby social equity will be served. 4. There will be uniformly and continuity in administration and operations of the corrections and rehabilitation programs since coordination and synchronization of programs and activities are now under one organization. 5. The existing Board of Pardons and Parole (BPP) will now be replaced with regular agency employees in consonance with applicable Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Their actions will now be time bounded which will eventually results in the swift and smooth administration of justice. 6. This would entail a legislative act as this will in effect amend certain existing laws such as the PNP law Local Government Code of 1991 present agency set up of the DOJ and DILG. As one entity, lobbying for adequate funding is much easier given the increased potential and influence with respect to stakeholder value.