BuCor bans freed ex-convicts from prisons

Ex-convicts are barred from going back to the prisons where they served their sentence or to any of the facilities of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) nationwide to prevent the entry of contraband items.

In a statement, BuCor said its chief, Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr., has ordered all prison and penal farm officials and employees of BuCor to prohibit ex-convicts from entering any prison farm.

Under the memorandum, ex-convicts are also prohibited from entry even as helpers, drivers, or volunteers in religious organizations to prevent any illicit activity.

“Smuggling of contrabands is a very lucrative business in prison camps and some ex-cons find their way into the camps to do their illegal trade,” Catapang said.

In November last year, Catapang discovered truckloads of beer in cans being sold for P1,000 per can compared to its regular price of only P50. Cell phones can fetch up to P200,000. —Dexter V. Cabalza

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