THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said it made major gains in inmate release, prison decongestion, and personnel management from July 2022 to December 2025, due to reforms under the Marcos administration. In a year-end report released Tuesday, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said a total of 28,880 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were released during the period — surpassing the total number freed across the entire terms of previous administrations. Of those released, 18,222 inmates completed their sentences, while others regained their freedom through parole, acquittal, and other legal remedies. Catapang said the large-scale release reflected a renewed focus on justice, rehabilitation and reintegration of former inmates into society. BuCor also reported a sharp reduction in congestion at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City, long considered one of the most overcrowded prisons in the country. According to Catapang, the congestion rate at the NBP dropped by 69 percent from a peak of 356 percent in 2022. “When I assumed office, the NBP population was around 29,000. Today, it is down to about 21,000,” Catapang said, explaining that the decrease was achieved through the construction of new dormitories and the transfer of more than 13,000 PDLs to other correctional facilities. He said these measures improved living conditions inside the prison and reduced risks associated with extreme congestion. Additional dormitory projects are underway, which BuCor said will further expand capacity and provide safer, more humane detention facilities. On the personnel side, Catapang reported that BuCor hired 4,240 new employees and promoted nearly 900 personnel over the same period to strengthen prison operations. Around 10,000 staff members also underwent education and training programs aimed at improving corrections management and rehabilitation services. At the same time, Catapang said the bureau enforced stricter accountability, taking disciplinary action against 177 personnel who failed to meet professional standards. These included dismissals and reprimands, which he said were necessary to maintain integrity within the corrections system. Catapang said the combined reforms in inmate management, infrastructure and staffing were intended to modernize BuCor and align prison operations with both public safety and human rights standards.