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.