OFFENDERS' SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL REINTEGRATION IN SELECTED PAROLE AND PROBATION ADMINISTRATION OF REGION XII: OFFICERS' STANDPOINT

The widespread congestion of jails has been a persistent problem in our country. It has worsened in recent years, because of the high and rapid influx of arrested suspects relating to the anti-drug campaign. The government comes up with correctional communities helping ex-offenders to reintegrate with the community. With such large numbers of individuals requiring supervision in the Philippines specifically in the chosen Parole and Probation Administrations in Region XII.Probation officers and staff work closest with probationers and develop a unique understanding of what contributes to a probationer's success. The aim of this paper is to know the factors that affects probationers outcome, and to know how policies and programs affects probation as a whole.

This study adopted the descriptive and qualitative type of research method in gathering relevant data about the study. As a specific methodological choice for the study, it employed Key Informant Interview (KII), and Archival Research.

The study found out that the treatment of the Parole and Probation Administrations of the Philippines follow institutionalized guidelines from the Ladderized program/handbook that were provided by the National Parole and Probation Agency supervised by the Department of Justice but unique strategies can be imposed by the offices. It also revealed that the Government's Budget Allocation and the amendment of Plea bargaining agreement of cases related to RA9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act affected the Administration because of sudden influx of clients. Furthermore, it was found out that the programs were deemed effective as it resulted to few recidivism cases, few revocation and efficiency in jail decongestions. Finally, the study revealed that the four locales have similarities towards policies and factors and differences with regards to strategies and performance.