Ex-jailbirds barred from former nests
Catapang said former prisoners — even if they were working with organizations that have dealings with BuCor jails — would not be allowed entry
Photo by Joey Sanchez Mendoza
Daily TribuneCatapang said former prisoners — even if they were working with organizations that have dealings with BuCor jails — would not be allowed entry
Photo by Joey Sanchez Mendoza
The Bureau of Corrections has reinforced existing regulations barring the entry of former prisoners into all the prison facilities it manages nationwide to prevent the entry of contraband.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang Jr. ordered all prison superintendents and employees to adhere to the ban that has been in place since 2011, which was reiterated in 2018 through memorandum orders.
Catapang issued an updated memorandum to clarify that former convicts — even if they were working with organizations that had dealings with BuCor jails — would not be allowed entry.
He cited as an example former convicts working as helpers, drivers, or volunteers for religious organizations that regularly conduct prison outreach activities.
"The smuggling of contraband is a very lucrative business in prisons, and some ex-cons find their way into the camps to ply their illegal trade," he said.
Former prisoners with incarcerated relatives may be allowed entry to visit them, provided their names are on the list of allowed visitors.
Catapang said BuCor officials and personnel would be penalized if they allow violations of the prohibition.