DUE TO COVID-19

SC halts transfer of convicted inmates to BuCor

The Supreme Court has directed Philippines courts to temporarily suspend ordering the transfer of convicted inmates from detention facilities to the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

From July 29 to August 31, all convicted inmates who should have been committed to the BuCor should remain in jails of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Court Administrator Jose Midas Marquez said in a circular. 

This comes after BuCor Director General Gerald Bantag requested the Office of the Court Administrator to temporarily suspend the issuance of commitment orders to BuCor to minimize the movement of inmates and prevent the further transmission of COVID-19. 

Prior to this, Marquez had told judges to order newly-arrested persons placed in the custody of local police units instead of jails from July 21 to August 31. 

Both the BuCor and the BJMP have recorded hundreds of COVID-19 cases in their facilities. Convicted inmates are under BuCor custody, while detained persons awaiting or undergoing trial are with the BJMP. —KG, GMA News