Comelec: Electoral participation could merit good conduct allowance for inmates

Persons deprived of liberty (PDL) may now use their electoral participation as basis to earn Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA)—a privilege that could allow them to chip off time from their prison sentences.

In Memorandum 260631, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) adopted Chair George Garcia's recommendation.

Garcia had endorsed "a policy framework to recognize the active electoral participation of Persons Deprived of Liberty, specifically voter registration, actual voting, and voter education, as activities meriting Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) and Special Time Allowance for Study, Teaching, or Mentoring."

The commission formally adopted Garcia's proposal, directing the Vulnerable Sectors Office to create operational guidelines. A memorandum of understanding will be executed with the Bureau of Corrections and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

Under the Revised Penal Code, the GCTA is computed as follows: in the first two years of imprisonment, the PDL is allowed a deduction of 20 days for each month of good behavior.

For the third to fifth year, the PDL is allowed a reduction of 25 days for each month of good behavior.

For the 11th and successive years of his imprisonment, the PDL is allowed a decision of 30 days for each month of good behavior.

"At any time during the period of imprisonment, he shall be allowed another deduction of fifteen days, in addition to numbers one to four hereof, for each month of study, teaching or mentoring service time rendered," the law states. — VDV, GMA News