SC, BuCor push compassionate release for elderly, ill inmates

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) expressed support Thursday for Supreme Court (SC) proposals to introduce house arrest, medical confinement, and community-supervised release as alternatives to traditional prison detention.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo raised the proposed detention alternatives during his speech at the Justice Sector Coordinating Council Summit at the Manila Hotel on Monday, framing the measures as a way to address chronic prison overcrowding while promoting humane justice administration.

BuCor director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. said the bureau aligns with the high tribunal’s vision, particularly regarding humanitarian relief for vulnerable inmates.

“This is no different from our proposal granting medical parole to elderly persons deprived of liberty aged 70 and above, those who are terminally ill, and individuals who are severely incapacitated,” Catapang said in a statement.

Under the proposed framework, qualified inmates could serve the remainder of their sentences outside detention facilities under structured monitoring systems such as home confinement or community supervision, determined by health status, age and risk assessments.

Catapang noted that international jurisdictions, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, maintain established legal frameworks for medical and compassionate parole.

According to data from BuCor’s Directorate for Health and Welfare Services, the national prison system held approximately 6,074 elderly inmates as of August, including 55 individuals classified as terminally ill.