LECTURE 2

COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTION PROGRAMS IN THE PHILIPPINES

• Definition: Community-Based Treatment Programs are designed to treat criminal offenders within the community as alternatives to confinement.

• Purpose: Aims to help offenders become law-abiding citizens through correctional activities.

THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

• Goals of Community Sentences:

  • Repair harm caused to victims/community.

  • Provide public safety.

  • Rehabilitate offenders.

  • Promote effective reintegration into society.

• Staff Roles:

  • Ensure compliance with community sentence orders.

  • Assist offenders in identifying and addressing personal issues.

SUBJECT COVERAGE

1. Probation:

   • A common form of community correction viewed as a post-trial diversion from incarceration.

   • Defined as a non-custodial sentence under supervision, where offenders must adhere to specific conditions.

   • Origin is from John Augustus and the Latin word "probare" (to prove/test).

2. Diversion:

   • Specifically for juvenile offenders or Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL).

3. Restitution:

   • Financial or service compensation provided by the offender to victims or community to address injuries inflicted.

4. Halfway Houses:

   • Community-based facilities less secure than prison, providing structured support to prepare offenders for independent living.

HOME CONFINEMENT

• Definition:

  • Requires offenders to remain at home except for approved absences, often combined with electronic monitoring.

  • Also referred to as home incarceration, home detention, or house arrest.

OTHER ASPECTS OF CORRECTIONS

1. Parole:

   • Suspension of a convict's sentence after serving the minimum term without granting pardon; establishes terms for suspension.

2. Executive Clemency:

   • Refers to different forms including Absolute Pardon, Conditional Pardon, and Commutation of Sentence, granted by the President of the Philippines.

   • Pardon Types:

     • Absolute Pardon: Total extinction of criminal liability, restoring civil rights; aims to rectify wrongs or normalize political situations.

     • Conditional Pardon: Reduces punishment under specific conditions; applies to reformed inmates ineligible for parole.

3. Amnesty:

   • General pardon for groups (e.g., political offenders) to restore peace and order.

4. Commutation of Sentence:

   • President alters a heavier sentence to a lighter one without forgiving the offense.

5. Reprieve:

   • Temporary stay of execution for sentenced prisoners, often to study appeals for clemency.