BuCor: 2,923 inmates released from April to June 2025

The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday announced that 2,923 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released from April 1 to June 11, 2025.

“By facilitating the reintegration of PDLs into society, the government not only helps these individuals reclaim their lives but also fosters safer communities,” BuCor Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. said in a statement.

“Proper reintegration programs can significantly reduce recidivism rates, allowing for better engagement with society and improved public safety,” Catapang said.

Of the released inmates, the bureau said 2,373 were due to expiration of sentence, 228 were acquitted, 212 due to parole, 76 due to habeas corpus, 59 were granted probation, and two were turned over. 

Meanwhile, 1,204 were from New Bilibid Prison, 248 from the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City, four from CIW-Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, and 42 from CIW-Mindanao.

BuCor said 469 were from the Davao Prison and Penal Farm, 356 from the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, 134 from the Leyte Regional Prison, 180 from the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm, and 313 from the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm. 

According to BuCor, a total of 23,579 PDLs have already been released under the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

Eve of PH Independence Day

A total of 157 PDLs were released from the New Bilibid Prison on Thursday, a day before Independence Day.

According to BuCor, the number of releases has increased due to the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA).

Catapang said, "It turns out that more than 1,000 are being released per month now, compared to only 300 before. Because of the GCTA passed by the Supreme Court, the number of releases has increased and even doubled."

After a brief ceremony, food and transportation allowance were given to the newly released individuals. The BuCor chief said the government’s support for former PDLs does not end there.

"What we provide is a skills inventory. They have a PDL certificate indicating they were TESDA-trained. They are referred to the Department of Labor and Employment, which then looks for job vacancies and refers them to employers. Some of them learned how to make tocino and other processed food—they are given startup capital. Others open small convenience stores," Catapang said, referring to training provided by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Catapang is currently pushing for the establishment of "halfway houses" for inmates who are due to be released within a year, to provide additional training and speed up their reintegration into society.

"It's very fulfilling for us because some of them stay with us for 20, 25 years. When they are finally released, we want to make sure that they still have a chance—a real second chance," Catapang said. — with a report from John Consulta/ VAL/ VDV, GMA Integrated News