[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 51-2003, October 10, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 51-2003, October 10, 2003 ]

[ SC ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. 51-2003, October 10, 2003 ]

TO

:

ALL EXECUTIVE JUDGES AND JUDGES OF REGIONAL TRIAL COURTS, METROPOLITAN TRIAL COURTS, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS IN CITIES, MUNICIPAL TRIAL COURTS, AND MUNICIPAL CIRCUIT TRIAL COURTS

SUBJECT

: JAIL VISITS DURING PRISON AWARENESS WEEK/NATIONAL CORRECTIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS WEEK

WHEREAS, the Courts, as a pillar in the Criminal Justice System (CJS), must be aware of and support initiatives in and by the other pillars of the CJS;

WHEREAS, the period from 20 to 26 October 2003 has been declared as "National Correctional Consciousness Week";

WHEREAS, inmates, volunteers, and correctional workers are preparing various activities in the jails to commemorate the event;

WHEREAS, the said commemoration would be more meaningful and would have greater impact with the participation of the Courts as one of the pillars in the CJS;

THEREFORE, all judges and their staff are hereby encouraged to participate in the commemoration of National Correctional Consciousness Week by conducting jail visits in their respective areas during the week from 20 to 26 October 2003. Support for the programs to be conducted during the said week, in whatever manner that the judges and their staff deem appropriate, is also encouraged.

All judges are likewise enjoined to take advantage of the said week to conduct the dialogues, conferences, or visitations with the inmates of the jails in their respective territorial jurisdiction as required in Administrative Circular No. 04-2002 regarding Special Treatment of Minor Detainees and Jail Decongestion. As stated in said Circular, such dialogues, conferences or visitations must be made in coordination with the appropriate government agencies as well as the local chief executives, jail wardens, chiefs of police, and officials from the local social welfare office. A report on the conduct of said activities must be submitted to the Court Administrator.

The Court Administrator shall cause the effective implementation of this Circular.

This Circular takes effect upon its issuance.

Issued the 10th day October 2003.

(Sgd.) HILARIO G. DAVIDE, Jr.

Chief Justice