More than 7,000 people visited inmates at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) during the Christmas and New Year period, prison officials reported Wednesday.

A report submitted to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. showed that 7,168 relatives and friends of persons deprived of liberty visited the facility between 23 December 2025 and 2 January 2026.

Of the total visitors, 4,676 were recorded as regular family visits, while 2,492 were stay-in or conjugal visits, according to Acting Superintendent Roger Boncales.

Catapang said the surge in visitors reflects the importance of family ties for those serving sentences.

He cited that for many inmates, the visits act as a “lifeline” that provides emotional support and helps mitigate the psychological strain of incarceration.

“The ability to spend quality time together, even behind bars, helps mitigate some of the emotional strain associated with incarceration,” Catapang said. “The holiday spirit certainly finds its way into the hearts of both inmates and their families.”