MODULE:

Institutional Corrections

Chapter 10

At the end of this chapter the student should be able to:

• Orient themselves on the development of prisons

• Explain the history of correctional agencies in the
Philippines

SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM

SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL

FARM: According to
historical accounts, the
San Ramon Prison was
established in southern
Zamboanga on August
21,1870 through a royal
decree promulgated in
1869. Established during
the tenure of Governor
General Ramon Blanco
(whose patron saint the
prison was named
after), the facility was
originally established for
persons convicted of political crimes.
Considered the oldest penal facility in the country, prisoners in
San Ramon were required to do agricultural work.

Page 1 of 4
MODULE:
Institutional Corrections
During the Spanish-American
War in 1898, the prisoners in
San Ramon were hastily
released and the buildings
destroyed. In 1907, the
American administration re-
established the prison farm.
In 1912, Gen. John Pershing,
chief executive of the
Department of Mindanao and
Sulu, classified the
institution as a prison and
penal colony and therein
confined people sentenced by
the courts under his jurisdiction. Under Pershing’s supervision,
several buildings with a capacity for 600 prisoners were constructed.
After several years, the colony became practically self-supporting,
with 75,000 coconut trees, which were planted at the beginning of
Pershing’s administration, contributing to the colony’s self-
sufficiency. Aside from coconuts, rice, corn, papaya and other crops
were also cultivated.
On November 1, 1905, Reorganization Act No. 1407 was approved
creating the Bureau of Prisons under the Department of Commerce and
Police, integrating the Old Bilibid Prison, San Ramon Penal Colony and
Iwahig Penal. The Philippine Coconut Authority took over management of
the coconut farm from San Ramon.

SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM

In 1995, Congresswoman Maria Clara Lobregat proposed the transfer of San

Ramon Prison to Bongiao town, in the mountainous area of Zamboanga, to
give way to a special economic zone.

Page 2 of 4
MODULE:
Institutional Corrections
SABLAYAN PRISON AND PENAL FARM

SABLAYAN PRISON AND PENAL

FARM: Nearer to Manila than
other penal colonies, the Sablayan
Penal Colony is located in
Occidental Mindoro and relatively
new. Established on September 26,
1954 by virtue of Presidential
Proclamation No. 72, the penal
colony has a total land area of
approximately 16,190 hectares.
Prison records show that the first
colonists and employees arrived in
Sablayan on January 15,
1955. Since then several buildings
have been constructed, including the
colonist’s dormitories, employees’ quarters,
guardhouse, schoolhouse, chapel, recreation hall, and post
exchange.

Three sub-colonies
Sablayan prison is a facility where prisoners
were
later organized. One is a
from NBP are brought for decongestion
reservation which this day remains
purposes. It follows the same colony standards
as other penal farms.
part of a protected rainforest.
Another is in a coastal area. The third was used by the national
government as a relocation site for refugees from the eruption of Mt.
Pinatubo eruption in 1991.

Sablayan prison is a facility where prisoners from NBP are brought

for decongestion purposes. It follows the same colony standards as other
penal farms.

Page 3 of 4
MODULE:
Institutional Corrections
LEYTE REGIONAL PRISON

LEYTE REGIONAL PRISON: The

Leyte Regional Prison was
established on January
16, 1973 under
Proclamation No. 1101.
The Leyte Regional
Prison, situated in
Abuyog, Southern Leyte,
was established a year
after the declaration of
martial law in 1972 by
virtue of Presidential
Decree No. 28. While its
plantilla and
institutional plan were
almost ideal, lack of
funds made the prison unable to realize its full potential and its
facilities are often below par compared with those of other
established penal farms.

The LRP has an inmate capacity of 500. It follows the same

agricultural format as the main correctional program in addition to
some rehabilitation activities. The prison admits convicted offenders
from Region VI and from the national penitentiary in Muntinlupa.

References:

• Bureau of Corrections: http://www.bucor.gov.ph/

• http://www.bucor.gov.ph/history/history%201.html
• http://www.bucor.gov.ph/history/history%202.html

Page 4 of 4