Comporting themselves well inside prison paid off for these Boholano inmates.

At least ten detainees of the Bohol District Jail (BDJ) who exhibited good behavior had their sentences shortened and were deemed ready to be reintegrated into society as the penal institution started to release them since January, this year.

The convicts’ good conduct was considered because of the penal system’s Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) which entitles inmates to have their sentences cut.

Detainees considered as having “good conduct” are those who attend religious activities, join community relation initiatives, and do not initiate conflicts inside the prison, said Jail Senior Inspector Rusylvi Abueva, jail warden of BDJ.

The GCTA system entitles those who have been imprisoned for at least two years and show good behavior to have their sentences lessened by 20 days every month.

Those who have been detained for five years can have their sentences cut by 23 days a month while 25 days are reduced for those who have been imprisoned for six to 10 years. Inmates who have been in prison for 11 years, can have their stay in the penitentiary shortened by 30 days a month.

However, inmates convicted of graver crimes are not eligible to join the program, Abueva said.

Members of the prison’s GCTA committee grade inmates based on their behavior every month, evaluating if they have been observant of the penitentiary’s rules and regulation.

The GCTA program under Republic Act 10592 was implemented two years ago.

The program also remedies the problem of congestion inside BDJ and other prison facilities, Abueva added.

This method of rewarding inmates for their good behavior was also designed to help prisoners discipline themselves inside the facility and as they reintegrate into society once they are released. (with reports from Allen Doydora)