Are you passionate about maintaining law and order, ensuring the safety of others, and making a positive impact on society? If so, a career as a Jail Officer with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) might be the perfect fit for you.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step BJMP recruitment process, providing valuable insights and helpful tips to help you pursue a successful career as a Jail Officer.
Overview of the BJMP
The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is an attached agency of the Department of the Interior and Local Government mandated to direct, supervise and control the administration and operation of all district, city, and municipal jails in the Philippines with pronged tasks of safekeeping and development of its inmates, officially classed as persons deprived of liberty (PDL).
As one of the five pillars of the Criminal Justice System, the BJMP was created to address the growing concern of jail management and penology problem. Primarily, its clients are detainees accused before a court who are temporarily confined in such jails while undergoing investigation, waiting for final judgment, and those who are serving sentence promulgated by the court 3 years and below.
As provided for under R.A. No. 6975, the Jail Bureau is mandated to take operational and administrative control over all city, district, and municipal jails. The Bureau has four major areas of the rehabilitation program, namely: Livelihood Projects, Educational and Vocational Training, Recreation and Sports, and Religious/ Spiritual Activities. These were continuously implemented to eliminate the offenders’ pattern of criminal behavior and to reform them to become law-abiding and productive citizens.
Although the workplace of the Jail Bureau is confined inside the portals of jail to safeguard PDL, nonetheless, the Bureau has an inherent function of informing the public of jail operations and other matters concerning the corrections pillar of the Philippines. Coincidentally, being a new and growing Bureau, BJMP aims to keep the public abreast of information regarding jail management and penology.
READ ALSO: BJMP Recruitment for 2023 Jail Officers 1 with P29,668 Monthly
General Qualifications
NO PERSON SHALL BE APPOINTED AS UNIFORMED PERSONNEL OF THE BJMP UNLESS HE/SHE POSSESSES THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
» | A citizen of the Republic of the Philippines; |
» | A person of good moral character; |
» | Must not have been dishonorably discharged or dismissed for cause from previous employment; |
» | Must possess a baccalaureate degree from a recognized institution of learning; |
» | Must possess the appropriate eligibility (Second Level eligibilities: CSE-Professional, RA 1080, and Penology Officer Examination, etc); |
» | Must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude; |
» | Must be at least 5’2″ (1.57m) in height for male, and 5’0″ (1.52m) for females; and |
» | Must not be less than 21 nor more than 30 years of age; |
» | Must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5kgs) from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age, and sex. |
» | Must weigh not more or less than five kilograms (5kgs) from the standard weight corresponding to his/her height, age and sex. |
Benefits
As a Jail Officer 1 in BJMP, you will receive a base pay of P29,668 per month (salary grade 10) and a gross monthly salary of P37,448 per month. Moreover, you shall receive an allowance, medical and dental benefits, longevity pay, etc. A hazard pay of P540 a month is also given.
STEP 1- Preliminary Interview & Assessment
Proceed to the Directorate for Personnel & Records Management (DPRM)/Personnel & Records Management Division (PRMD) and submit to the authorized personnel the following documents placed in a folder properly TABBED and LABELLED:
- Duly Accomplished Personal Data Sheet (revised 2017) download HERE
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by PSA
- Authenticated Copy of College Diploma
- Authenticated Copy of Transcript of Records
- Authenticated Certificate of Eligibility or Board Rating (w/ PRC ID)
- Photocopy of Marriage Certificate (if married) issued by PSA
- Photocopy of NBI clearance
- Photocopy of Police clearance
- Photocopy of Barangay clearance
- Photocopies of Court clearances
- Fiscal Clearance
- MTC
- RTC
- Photocopy of NCIP/NCMF Certificate (if necessary) (NCMF should be issued by the Bureau of External Relations)
- Photocopies of Certificate/s of Previous & Present Employment
- Photocopies of Certificate/s of Seminars/Trainings Completed
Note: Bring ORIGINAL Documents for proper evaluation. Bring 1 pc 1×1 and 2 pcs passport size picture with a name tag.
STEP II- Initial Medical Evaluation
Once an applicant passes “STEP 1”, he/she shall be indorsed to the Regional/National Health Service Unit for Initial Medical Evaluation which includes the following:
- Hepatitis B Screening
- Initial Physical Examination:
- No gross/major visual defect
- No hearing loss or impairment
- No gross deformities of nasal and oropharyngeal cavities
- No other deformities that may affect speech, mastication, and deglutition
- No gross skeletal deformity that will limit joint movements
- No dermatological diseases that are communicable
- No skin tattoo/s, and soft tissue and glandular masses
- No unusual body piercing/s
An applicant who will fail the initial medical evaluation shall not be allowed to proceed to the next phase of the recruitment process.
STEP III- Entry-Level Examination
The DPRM shall schedule the conduct of simultaneous examinations for all JO1 applicants. The Entry-Level Examination (EnLEx) shall be composed of the following:
Part I | General Information | 20% |
Part II | Mathematics | 20% |
Part III | Basic Information and Grammar | 30% |
Part IV | Sentence arrangement and Paragraph completion | 20% |
Part V | Essay | 10% |
Total | 100% |
EnLEx scores will be used for ranking purposes only. All Registered Criminologists shall be exempted from taking the EnLEx (pursuant to RA 11131).
STEP IV- Neuropsychiatric Evaluation
On the examination date, bring the following:
- Latest colored passport-size picture
- Valid identification card
- Pencil with eraser
- Black ballpen
The validity of the NP Examination is six (6) months.
STEP V- Panel Interview
Applicants whose Neuro-Psychiatric evaluations were granted shall be required to appear before the NHRMPSB/RHRMPSB for a panel interview. The interviewees shall be rated as follows:
Criteria | Percentage |
Grooming/General Appearance/Bearing | 20% |
Manner of Speaking/ Clarity & Coherence in Presenting Ideas | 20% |
Reasoning Ability | 20% |
Critical Thinking/Maturity of Judgment | 20% |
Leadership potential | 20% |
TOTAL | 100% |
Results shall be immediately announced after the scheduled interview. Failure to obtain an average of 70% during the panel interview shall disqualify the applicant during the current recruitment period.
STEP VI- Initial Deliberation
The initial deliberation shall be undertaken by the NHRMPSB/RHRMPSB to determine the sufficient number of applicants recommended to proceed to the next step depending on the quota available. The qualified applicants, including those granted automatic waivers, shall be ranked based on the results of the EnLEx, Panel Interview, and premium points given.
STEP VII- Medical and Dental Evaluations
- Applicants who shall be indorsed for medical/dental examinations are based on the initial deliberation.
- Proceed to HSU for the conduct of physical, medical, and dental examinations and thereafter secure referrals for the required laboratory tests.
- Submit the ORIGINAL results of laboratory tests to the HSU.
- An applicant who has a health or dental condition that CANNOT be corrected or remedied shall be REMOVED from the selection process and be informed accordingly.
- An applicant who passed the medical and dental evaluations shall be certified physically fit for training and subsequently be endorsed to DPRM/PRMD
STEP VIII- Strength & Agility Test (SAT)
- Applicants who passed the Medical & Dental Examination shall be required to undergo the Strength and Agility Test (SAT).
- Based on the schedule provided by the DPRM/PRMD, report in athletic attire and perform the following five (5) events indicated below

An applicant who failed to meet the standard in two (2) of the five (5) events shall be disqualified to proceed to the next phase of the screening process. However, he/she is given a chance to repeat the failed events on another scheduled date.
STEP IX- Final Deliberation
The point system for the final order of merit shall be as follows:

The NHRMPSB/RHRMPSB shall have a FINAL DELIBERATION on the list of applicants that will be recommended to the Chief, BJMP/Regional Director of the Jail Bureau for appointment as JO1.
STEP X- Submission of Required Documents
FOR APPLICANTS WHO WILL BE APPOINTED FOR JAIL OFFICER 1
Submit THREE (3) folders properly TABBED and LABELED containing the following:
- Copy for BJMP:
- Personal Data Sheet (download HERE)
- Authenticated Transcript of Records
- Authenticated College Diploma
- Authenticated Certificate of Eligibility or Board Rating
- Original Copy of Birth Certificate issued by PSA
- Original Clearances (NBI, Police, Brgy. MTC, RTC, & Prosecutor’s Ofc)
- Medical Certificate issued by HSU
- Photocopy of Laboratory Results submitted to HSU
- Duly Accomplished Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (3 copies)
- Original Marriage Certificate issued by PSA (if married)
- Original Certificate of Confirmation from the NCIP or NCMF (if necessary)
- Copy for the Civil Service Commission (CSC):
- Personal Data Sheet (2 sets)
- Authenticated Certificate of Eligibility or Board Rating with receipt
- Photocopy of Certificate of Confirmation from the NCIP or NCMF (if necessary)
- Copy for the National Jail Management and Penology Training Institute (NJMPTI):
- Personal Data Sheet
- Photocopy of Transcript of Records
- Photocopy of College Diploma
- Photocopy of Certificate of Eligibility or Board Rating
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by PSA
- Photocopy of Clearances (NBI, Police, Brgy. MTC, RTC, & Prosecutor’s Ofc)
- Medical Certificate issued by HSU
- Photocopy of Laboratory Results submitted to HSU
- Photocopy of Marriage Certificate issued by PSA (if married)
- Photocopy of Certificate of Confirmation from the NCIP or NCMF (if necessary)
NOTE: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS MAY BE REQUIRED IF NECESSARY
STEP XI- Oath Taking
- Sign the Certificate of Undertaking, which signifies the concurrence to accept any designation that will be given as a Jail Officer 1 in the BJMP regardless of educational background and region of origin.
- Report at the DPRM/PRMD in blue maong pants, white round neck shirt, black garrison belt with silver buckle, white pair of shoes, and socks with a proper haircut.
- Bring two (2) documentary stamps and a valid Identification Card (ID) for the
- Oath of Office form Oath-taking ceremony shall proceed upon the approval and availability of the Appointing Authority.
SAMPLE FOLDER

REMINDERS:
- Always secure a Visitor’s ID Pass at the BJMP Headquarters Support Service Unit (HSSU) Area before you transact any business at the NHQ.
- Always observe courtesy, especially in following up on the status of your application.
- Always report on time.
- Transact your business with authorized DPRM/PRMD personnel only. NO FEES shall be charged during your application
except for personal expenses during laboratory exams or dental interventions done in private institutions. - Report to the Director, DPRM/C, and PRMD any comments or suggestions to further improve the system.
- If there is any individual or personnel of the Bureau who extort money in exchange for favorable action on one’s application,
proceed to the Directorate for Intelligence (3rd Floor, BJMP-NHQ) or to the Office of the Chief, BJMP for commensurate action
Conclusion
Embarking on a career as a Jail Officer with the BJMP is a noble and challenging endeavor. By following this step-by-step guide, you can navigate the BJMP recruitment process with confidence and increase your chances of success. Remember to stay focused, dedicated, and committed to upholding the principles of justice and rehabilitation within the correctional system.
Source: BJMP