BuCor introduces cashless transaction system for inmates

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. presents to the media the kiosk that will be used by inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) for their cashless transactions. Photo by Tetch Torres-Tupas/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) on Wednesday started implementing a cashless transaction scheme for inmates as part of its program against corruption and other illegal activities linked to cash transactions in prison facilities.

BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. led the rollout at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong as the facility celebrates its 93rd Foundation Day.

“The system is basically designed to eliminate corruption and illegal activities associated with cash transactions within prison facilities. This policy not only restricts prisoners but also prohibits corrections officers from handling cash,” Catapang told reporters.

“It aims to instill discipline among BuCor personnel, discouraging them from managing PDL funds,” he added.

Last year, BuCor seized over P300,000 cash from prison guards. Enterprising prison guards allow relatives of inmates to send money through their mobile wallets.

In return, 12 to 20 percent will be deducted from the total amount sent.

How does the cashless system work?

Catapang explained that the inmates would be given a passbook to record the money received and spent. 

 The money, which will be sent through a mobile wallet, will be entered into a system similar to a deposit under the inmate’s name.

The inmates can use their funds to buy from a store within the prison facility or provide services such as laundry, manicures, pedicures, haircuts, massage and others by pressing the corresponding button on the kiosk and then scanning their fingerprints.

Once done, a receipt will be printed. The receipt will be presented to the store or to the services they wanted to avail as payment.

Catapang said the inmates could monitor the balance on their accounts through the kiosk or the point of sale (POS) machines.

Catapang said the cashless system is implemented at the CIW. But he said it will soon be implemented at the New Bilibid Prison and the other prison and penal farms under Bucor.

 Aside from CIW and Bilibid, the other BuCor prison and penal farms are Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro; San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City;  Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan; Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte and the Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Davao del Norte. 

CAPTION: BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. presents to the media the kiosk that will be used by inmates at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) for their cashless transactions.