interfaith policy (1)

8/6/2019 Interfaith Policy (1)

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Republic of the PhilippinesDEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTBUREAU OF JAIL MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGYJuco Building, 144 Mindanao Avenue, Project 8, Quezon CityTrunklines: (+632) 927-6383; 453-1196Email Address: [email protected] Website: www.bjmp.gov.ph

10 December 2010Date

BJMP NHQSTANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURESNUMBER 2010 - 11

CONDUCT OF INTERFAITH/RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIESINSIDE BJMP JAILS

I. REFERENCES

1. Memorandum from the SILG dated January 22, 2010 re: Activation of the Directoratefo r Inmates Welfare and Development, Directorate fo r Intelligence and Directorate fo rInvestigation and Prosecution ofthe BJMP;


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of religious services and activities have increased. Today, a variety of faiths are practicedin jail facilities and there is wide variance among types of religious program services.

Due to limited space and resources in jails, it is therefore imperative that theseservices should be regulated so that every inmate will be given equal opportunity toexercise and enjoy their religious beliefs which should be in accordance with the U.N.Minimum Standard for the Treatment of Prisoners (Rules 41-42) and Section 5, Article IIIof the Philippine Constitution which states that: "No law shall be made respecting anestablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise andenjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination of preference, shallforever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or politicalrights."

III. PURPOSE AND SCOPEThis policy aims to provide the general guidelines in the conduct of

religious/interfaith activities inside the facilities under the Bureau of Jail Management andPenology (BJMP).

IV. OBJECTIVES

1. To provide guidelines in the conduct of interfaith/religious activities inside BJMPcontrolled Jails.

2. To promote a standard geared towards the formation of values among inmatesaimed to bring about positive transformation of the individual.


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INTERFAITH - of, operating, or occurring between persons belonging to differentreligions.RELIGIOUS SERVICE PROVIDER - an entity offering religious services for thebenefit/development of an inmate.

VI. GENERAL PRINCIPLES1. Inmates are entitled to practice his/her religious beliefs and moral precepts.2. Respect for religion must always be taken into account, hence, inmates and personnel

should not be forced to take part in any religious activities contrary to their individualreligious beliefs.

3. There shall be no discrimination on grounds of race, colour, sex, language, religion,political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

VII. GUIDEI.INES FOR THE CONDUCT OF INTERFAITH/RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIESGeneral Guidelines

1. All existing jail policies, rules and regulations concerning security systems andprocedures, and policies in the conduct of activities inside BJMP facilities must bestrictly followed.

2. It is the primary responsibility of the Warden to supervise the orderly conduct andimplementation and observance of this policy.


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5. All Service Providers should attend the regular meeting of the Religious ServiceProviders to discuss issues and concerns regarding their activities and other remindersfrom the wardens or higher authorities.

6. All the presidents or representative of the jails religious service providers areencouraged to attend the meeting of the Regional Federation to synchronize theregional activities and discuss regional policies and concerns.

7. All Service Providers belonging to the same traditions or faith (Catholic, Born Again,Muslims, etc.) are encouraged to organize among themselves for coordination andsynchronization purposes.

8. All Service Providers are encouraged to provide feedbacks, suggestions andrecommendations for the purpose of enhancing the management and services ofBJMP to the inmates.

9. All Service Providers are encouraged to refrain from dole out interventions except foremergency cases. Instead, transformative and developmental faith interventionsmust be given importance.

8. For Inmates

1. BJMP encourages inmates to attend only the activities of the religious group wherethey belong. Inmates, however, are -not prevented from joining other religiousactivities or other activities inside the jail provided they: (a) finish first the religiousactivity they are currently engaged to; and (b) attendance in other religious activitiesshould not be made as an excuse from participating in other non religious activities


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VIII. REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION OF RELIGIOUS SERVICE PROVIDER (Please refer toFLOW CHART A)

Prior to the Service Providers conduct of any religious activity inside the jail facility,it should be duly accredited by the Inmates Welfare and Development Division of theRegional Office where the jail is located. The accreditation should be endorsed by Chiefsof the Regional Intelligence Division and the Regional Chaplaincy Service and should beaccompanied by the following:1. letter of Intent to serve the jail signed by the Pastors or Head of the organization.2. SEC Registration of the Service Providers or Certificate of Accommodation of a SECRegistered Organization.3. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).

a. The MOA shall be prepared and reviewed by the legal Service of the Region incoordination with the Regional Inmates Welfare Division, Regional ChaplaincyService and the Religious Service Provider.

b. The MOA shall state, among others, the services to be rendered, jails to beserved, time it shall render the services as well as the conditions to be followedand the program they have to engage in. Any violation of the agreement couldbe a sufficient ground to rescind the MOA.

c. For Religious Service Providers that will render services to more than one jail, itshall enter a MOA with the Regional Director. For those that will serve onlyone jail, it shall enter a MOA with the Warden.

4. list of Volunteers - each with 4 pes. 2x2 ID pictures (for the Gaters, IWD Office/CHSOffice and Personal ID). The IDs shall be initialled by Chief of the Regional IntelligenceDivision and signed by the Regional Director.


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conflict or use other modes of dispute resolution to settle the same in accordance withthe provisions of R.A. 9285.

XI. PENALTY CLAUSEFailure to observe this policy or any violation thereof shall be subject to

Disciplinary Actions:A. Religious Service Providers

Will be subject to the stipulations in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)to be reviewed by the Regional Legal Service in coordination with theRegional Inmates Welfare Division and Regional Chaplaincy Service.

B. Inmates Will be subject to BOOK II, CHAPTER I, RULE 11- Reception Procedure,

Classification and Disciplinary Boards and Punishable Acts of Inmates of theBJMP Manual.

C. Personnel Will be subject to BOOK I, CHAPTER 111- Administrative Disciplinary Machineryof the BJMP Manual.

XII. SEPARABILITY CLAUSE


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FLOWCHART A

Religious serviceProvider

1. Letter of Intent toServe.

2. SEC Registration orCertificate ofAccommodation of aSEC RegisteredOrganization.

ACCREDITATION OF RELIGIOUS SERVICE PROVIDER

Issuance of IDs / Certificate of Accreditation (with validity date)

Relionall.--I ~ e s i o n a l l W D D ~ I __ I Director If more than l)all, ROtoReview / Verification \.V ,'sign MOA


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I ANNEX ADIWDFORM:G

Republic of the PhilippinesDepartment of the Interior and Local GovernmentBUREAUOF JAIL MANAGEMENTAND PrNOLOGYAddress:, _Month_ ye _

.. -.G. MONTHLY REPORT ON INTERFAITH Acnvlnes

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interfaith policy (1)

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