MANILA, Philippines — Families of inmates across the country are allowed to visit prisons under the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) during the holiday season to foster solidarity and promote the morale of prisoners.
Regular visiting hours are set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The BuCor also authorized special stay-in privileges for wives and common-law wives of inmates to provide an opportunity for extended bonding during this festive period.
BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. issued a memorandum outlining the implementation of these stay-in privileges, which will be conducted in two batches for each holiday.
This system aims to accommodate more families while ensuring order in prison facilities, Catapang said.
For Christmas, the first batch of families was allowed to stay from 8 a.m. until 7 a.m. on Dec. 24.
The second batch stayed from 8 a.m. yesterday until 7 a.m. today.
Similarly, for the New Year celebration, the first batch will stay from 8 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 7 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2025. The second batch can stay from 8 a.m. on Jan. 1 to 7 a.m. the next day.
“This initiative reflects a broader understanding of the importance of family ties in the rehabilitation process of inmates, underscoring that even those within correctional facilities deserve the opportunity to connect with their loved ones,” Catapang said.