THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) sustains it jail decongestion program by releasing more prisoners from jails and detention facilities across the country.
Since Aug. 31 this year, the BuCor has discharged a total of 740 prisoners or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs), bringing to 16,657 the total number of inmates set free under the Marcos administration.
At the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City, 45 PDLs regained their freedom as similar events take place in various jails and penal farms nationwide.
BuCor chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said 459 of the prisoners were released due to expiration of their sentences, 147 were acquitted of their crimes, one got out on bail, 40 on probation, three upon a court order of habeas corpus, and 86 on parole.
The release of PDLs underscores our commitment to rehabilitating lives and reintegrating individuals into society for those who have served their time, Catapang said.
“Each time we release a PDL, we are giving him or her a chance to embark on a new chapter in life, and every release is more than just a statistic. It is a story of resilience, hope and a chance to start a new life,” he noted.
Catapang emphasized the importance of such initiatives, “not just for the individuals who regain their freedom, but for the wider community, promoting a culture of rehabilitation rather than mere punishment.”
