SAN RAMON PRISON AND PENAL FARM
SUMITTED TO:RUBY L. TAMAYO, PhD, MSCJ
SUMITTED BY: MARICHU I. OBARCO
HISTORICAL BACKGROUD
The San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City, Philippines, has
a rich historical background.:
- The prison was established on August 21, 1870, through a royal decree
promulgated in 1869 during the tenure of Governor General Ramon Blanco.
- It was originally established for persons convicted of political crimes and was
considered the oldest penal facility in the country.
- Prisoners in San Ramon were required to do agricultural work.
- During the Spanish-American War in 1898, the prisoners in San Ramon
were hastily released, and the buildings were destroyed.
- In 1907, the American administration re-established the prison farm, and
under the supervision of General John Pershing, several buildings were
constructed with a capacity for 600 prisoners.
- The colony became practically self-supporting, with 75,000 coconut trees
planted during Pershing's administration, contributing to its self-sufficiency.
- On November 1, 1905, the Bureau of Prisons was created under the
Department of Commerce and Police, integrating the old Bilibid Prison, San
Ramon Penal Colony, and Iwahig Penal Colony.
- The Philippine Coconut Authority took over the management of the coconut
farm from San Ramon.
- Today, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm is part of the Bureau of
Corrections and continues to house inmates
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF SAN RAMON PRISON
AND PENAL FARM
The organizational structure of San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm
(SRPPF) is part of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) system in
the Philippines. Here is an outline of its organizational hierarchy:
1. *Superintendent*: The highest-ranking officer at SRPPF,
responsible for overall management and operation of the facility.
The Superintendent reports directly to BuCor’s central office.
2. *Deputy Superintendents*: Assist the Superintendent in
managing various aspects of the prison's operations. These roles
often include:
- *Deputy Superintendent for Administration*: Oversees
administrative functions, including human resources, finance, and
logistics.
- *Deputy Superintendent for Security and Operations*: Manages
security personnel, inmate monitoring, and daily operations.
- *Deputy Superintendent for Reformation*: Coordinates
rehabilitation programs, educational initiatives, and vocational
training for inmates.
3. *Section Chiefs*: Responsible for specific departments within
the prison, such as:
- *Security and Custodial Section*: Focuses on maintaining
security and order within the facility.
- *Inmate Services Section*: Provides services and support for
inmates, including health care, food, and welfare.
- *Rehabilitation Section*: Implements rehabilitation and
reformation programs.
4. *Administrative Staff*: Includes various roles that support the
administrative functions, such as finance officers, human
resources staff, and procurement officers.
5. *Security Personnel*: Comprised of corrections officers who
ensure the safety and security of the facility. They work under a
chain of command that includes junior and senior officers.
6. *Program Coordinators*: Handle specific inmate programs, such
as educational initiatives, vocational training, and religious
services.
This structure is designed to ensure the effective management of
the prison while focusing on both security and the rehabilitation of
inmates. The hierarchical nature allows for clear lines of authority
and accountability within the institution.
LOCATION AND TOPOGRAPHY
San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm is located in Zamboanga City on
the Zamboanga Peninsula in Mindanao, Philippines. The prison is positioned
near the coastline, providing a unique topographical setting with its proximity
to the sea and surrounding natural features. Specifically,is situated nearby the
basketball court and San Ramon Bridge No. 1. The exact address is San
Ramon. The coordinates of the prison are approximately 6.99415°N latitude
and 121.92274°E longitude. The San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm is
operated by the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) and is categorized as a
government building. It is an amenity prison facility source.
The prison spans approximately 600 hectares and has been
earmarked for relocation to make way for an industrial park development. The
new proposed site for the prison is a 1,200-hectare area in the barangays of
Bungiao and Curuan, which is double its current size .
This move aims to facilitate the development of the Zamboecozone's
industrial park while preserving the historical significance of the original prison
site, as the main building is planned to be maintained by the National
Historical Commission.
SAN RAMON FACILITIES/CAMPS
RECREATIONAL FACIITIES
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PROGRAM FOR INMATES
San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm (SRPPF) in Zamboanga City offers a
variety of programs aimed at rehabilitating inmates and preparing them for
reintegration into society. These programs include educational and vocational
training, which are crucial in providing inmates with skills that can be used
post-release.
One notable program is the "E-dalaw" initiative, which allows inmates to have
online visits with their families, facilitating emotional support and maintaining
family bonds during incarceration. Additionally, the prison farm engages
inmates in agricultural activities, such as farming and gardening, which help in
teaching them valuable skills and also contribute to the facility's self-
sustainability.
The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is also exploring business ventures
within the penal farm. For instance, there are ongoing negotiations to lease
parts of the farm for a solar project, and there are plans to convert 60
hectares into an economic zone for foreign investments. These initiatives not
only provide vocational training and employment opportunities for inmates but
also aim to make the prison farm economically productive
Furthermore, before inmates are released, they undergo personality
development and stress management lectures to aid their transition back into
society.
These comprehensive programs are designed to rehabilitate inmates,
reduce recidivism, and promote their successful reintegration into the
community.
NUMBERS OF INMATES
As of 2022, San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm housed approximately 1,400
inmates in medium-level security, with an additional 464 inmates in minimum
security.
This information reflects the facility's capacity to manage different
security levels within the inmate population. The prison continues to
implement various rehabilitative and vocational programs aimed at preparing
inmates for reintegration into society.
