5,000 prisoners on parole, probation in Eastern Visayas back to jail

TACLOBAN CITY — About 5,000 prisoners released through parole or probation in Eastern Visayas last year committed new crimes and were now back in prison.

These represent only two percent of the total number of inmates granted conditional liberty, but the Parole and Probation Administration (PPA) in the region was concerned about the development.

“The revocation rate may be minimal at just around two percent, but it still alarms us because one of our primary goals is to rehabilitate these individuals and help them live normal lives,” said PPA Regional Director Ma. Beverly Ampo in an interview on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

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Around 90 percent of these persons whose parole and probation were revoked violated offenses against the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, while the rest committed murder or homicide.

Since their parole or probation was revoked, the concerned individuals were rearrested, detained, and required to serve the remaining portion of their original sentence in prison, among other consequences.

Parole is the conditional release granted to inmates before they complete their sentence, typically due to good conduct while in jail.

Probation, on the other hand, is a court-ordered period of supervision in the community offered as an alternative to imprisonment.

Inmates granted parole or probation must regularly report to PPA offices, avoid criminal activity, and attend rehabilitation sessions, among other conditions.

According to Ampo, revocations occur when inmates commit new crimes while on parole or probation, intended to help them change their way of life.

“We are doing our best to help them reintegrate into society and become productive members. However, the triggers for criminal behavior still exist outside, making it challenging for them to avoid reoffending,” she said.

Ampo also expressed concern over the challenges that probationary and parole officers face in the region.

“We only have 36 parole and probation officers in the region, and they receive a minimal budget of just P350 per client visit,” she said.

“Some of them even have to cross rivers, hike mountains, or use their own money to reach and assist our clients,” she added.

Ampo hoped that Congress would approve their plea for a modernization program, which would provide better equipment and facilities and increase the budget for their personnel.