Penology Officer Exam (POE) 2025 | Complete Guide

The Penology Officer Exam (POE) is essential for those who want to join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the necessary information about the POE, including its schedule, qualifications, requirements, and tips for success.

Explore now and keep reading to learn more about it!

Penology Officer Exam Schedule

As of now, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) has not yet announced the schedule for the Penology Officer Exam (POE) for CY 2025.

Date of Examination	Application Period		Target Release Date of Test Results
	From	To
To be announced	To be announced	To be announced	To be announced

NOTE: Applications will be on first-come-first-serve basis and shall be close anytime before the deadline if the CSC Regional/Field office already reached the target number of applicants.

Official Announcement

We will soon be updating the official announcement from the Civil Service Commission (CSC) regarding the conduct of the Penology Officer Examination (POE) for the Calendar Year 2025.

You may regularly visit our article or the CSC Official website to stay updated.

Testing Centers

Applicants should contact the CSC Regional Office (CSC RO) or CSC Field Office (CSC FO), where they plan to take the exam, to check for available slots.

A list of CSC offices can be found on the CSC website (www.csc.gov.ph).

REGION	TESTING CENTER
	Sequence Number (National)	Sequence Number (Regional)	City / Municipality
I	1	1	San Fernando City, La Union
II	2	1	Tuguegarao City
III	3	1	City of San Fernando, Pampanga
IV	4	1	Batangas City
V	5	1	Legazpi City
	6	2	Masbate City
	7	3	Naga City
	8	4	Sorsogon City
	9	5	Virac, Catanduanes
	1O	6	Daet, Camarines Norte
VI	11	1	Iloilo City
VII	12	1	Cebu City
VIII	13	1	Tacloban City
IX	14	1	Zamboanga City
X	15	1	Cagayan de Oro City
XI	16	1	Davao City
XII	17	1	Koronadal City
NCR	18	1	Quezon City
CAR	19	1	Baguio City
	20	2	Tabuk City
Caraga	21	1	Butuan City
BARMM	22	1	Cotabato City

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Qualification / Admission Requirements

All applicants MUST STRICTLY MEET the following qualification requirements:

1. Must be a Filipino citizen;
2. At least 18 years old on the date/time of filing of application;
3. Must be of good moral character;
4. Must have at least graduated from the K to 12 Program or a high school graduate under the old program;
5. Must be mentally and physically fit;
6. Must not have been convicted by final judgment of an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or of disgraceful or immoral conduct, dishonesty, examination irregularity, drunkenness, or addiction to drugs;
7. Must not have been dishonorably discharged from military service or dismissed for cause from any civilian positions in the government; and
8. Must be at least 1.57m (5’2) in height for males and 1.52m (5’0) for females.

Individuals who possess any of the following eligibilities may opt not to take the POE anymore:

1. Career Service Professional Eligibility;
2. Career Foreign Service Officer Eligibility;
3. RA 1080 Eligibility (Bar or Board exams passers);
4. Honor Graduate Eligibility under P.D. 907;
5. Scientific and Technological Specialist Eligibility under P.D. 997;
6. Sanggunian Member Eligibility (2nd Level) under R.A. No. 10156;
7. Foreign School Honor Graduate Eligibility under CSC Resolution No. 1302714; or
8. Veteran Preference Rating Eligibility (Professional) under E.O. No. 132, s. 1948 and E.O. No. 790, s. 1982.

POE Application Requirements

Here are the following application requirements for the Penology Officer Exam (POE):

1. Fully accomplished Application Form (appropriate/applicable CS Form No. 100).
2. Four (4) pieces of identical I.D. pictures with specifications, as follows:
   • Philippine Passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm or 1.8 inches x 1.4 inches)
   • Colored, with a white background
   • Taken within three (3) months before filing of the application
   • Printed on good quality photo paper (i.e., photo does not peel off)
   • In a standard close-up shot (from shoulder level up with the head and face occupying at least 80% of the picture and with the name tag positioned at approximately 1 inch or 2.54 cm below the chin)
   • In bare face (no eyeglasses; no colored contact lens; no headdress, no bandana, or any other accessories that may cover the facial features; facial features not computer enhanced)
   • Showing left and right ears
   • Taken in full-face view, directly facing the camera
   • With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
   • With HANDWRITTEN (not computer-generated) name tag legibly showing SIGNATURE OVER PRINTED FULL NAME, which includes: Given Name/s, Middle Initial (if any), Last Name, and Extension Name (if any)
3. Original and photocopy of any of the following accepted I.D. cards for civil service exams:
   • Driver’s License Card/Temporary Driver’s License (LTO O.R. must be presented together with old Driver’s License; O.R. alone is not allowed)/Student Driver’s Permit;
   • Passport;
   • PRC License Card;
   • SSS I.D. Card;
   • GSIS I.D. Card (UMID);
   • Voter’s I.D. Card /Voter’s Certification;
   • BIR/Taxpayer’s I.D. Card (ATM type/TIN card type with picture);
   • PhilHealth I.D. Card (must have the bearer’s name, clear picture, signature, and PhilHealth number);
   • Company/Office I.D. Card;
   • School I.D. Card;
   • Police Clearance/Police Clearance Certificate (with picture);
   • Postal I.D. Card;
   • Barangay I.D. Card;
   • NBI Clearance;
   • Seaman’s Book;
   • HDMF Transaction I.D. Card;
   • PWD I.D. Card;
   • Solo Parent I.D. Card;
   • Senior Citizen’s I.D. Card;
   • CSC Eligibility Card; or
   • Philippine Identification (PhilID¹) Card.
4. Examination fee of Seven Hundred Pesos (PhP 700.00)

Other / Additional Requirements as applicable:

1. Original and photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or the Local Civil Registry (only for applicants without date of birth on their I.D. card/s)
2. Original and photocopy of Identification Certificate (IC) issued by the Bureau of Immigration (only for applicants holding dual citizenship under R.A. 9225; and applicants recognized as citizens of the Philippines under Sec 1, Article IV of the 1987 Philippine Constitution)

Where to Get the Application Form and How to File

1. Where to Get the Application Form:

You can get the application form (CS Form No. 100) from any CSC Regional or Field Office. You can also download it from the CSC website at (www.csc.gov.ph). Print it using legal-size bond paper.

2. How to File the Application:

To file your application, contact the CSC Regional or Field Office where you plan to take the exam. They will provide information on how to submit your application and the steps to follow. For your reference, a complete list of CSC Regional and Field Offices is available on the CSC website.

POE 2025 Coverage

The 2025 Penology Officer Exam covers the following topics:

A. General Ability (50%):

• Verbal, Analytical, and Numerical

B. Specialized Area (50%), distributed as follows:

1. Jail Management Concepts & Applications (7.5%):

• Commitment and Classifications of Inmates/Prisoners/Detainees:
  • Courts & other Entities Authorized to Commit a Person to Jail
  • Categories of Inmates
  • Classification of Prisoners
  • Classification of Detainees
  • Inmates Security Classification
  • Requirements for Commitment

2. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) and Custodial Concepts (22.5%):

• The Nelson Mandela Rules (15%):
  • Guiding Principles of the Nelson Mandela Rules
  • Respect for the Inherent Dignity of Persons Deprived of Liberty
  • Medical and Health Services
  • Disciplinary Measures and Sanctions
  • Investigations of Deaths and Torture in Custody
  • Protection of Vulnerable Groups
  • Access to Legal Representation
  • Complaints and Independent Inspection
  • Training of Staff

• Rights and Privileges of Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL) (5%):
  • Rights and Privileges of PDL
  • BJMP Welfare and Development Programs
    • Therapeutic Community Modality Program
    • Modes and Guidelines of Release of PDL
    • Paralegal Services

• Bill of Rights, Article III of the Constitution & Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (2.5%)

3. Special Laws and Other Related Laws (20%):

• Salient Features of R.A. 6713 (Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees)
• Salient Features of R.A. 9263 (An Act Providing Professionalization of the BFP and BJMP, Amending Certain Provision of R.A. 6975)
• Salient Features of R.A. 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009)

POE Passing Grade

To pass the Penology Officer Exam (POE), you should get a general rating of at least 80.00%.

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Release of POE Results

The list of POE passers will be posted on the official CSC website (www.csc.gov.ph).

Examinees can check their individual exam ratings using the Online Civil Service Examination Result Generation System (OCSERGS).

This system can be accessed through the CSC website, as stated in the related announcement.

POE Preparation Tips

To increase your chances of success in the Penology Officer Exam (POE), thorough preparation is essential.

To prepare for the Penology Officer Exam, follow these simple tips:

1. Get the Exam Syllabus: Find out what topics will be covered.
2. Use Study Materials: Read books and past papers about penology.
3. Plan Your Study Time: Make a study schedule to cover all topics.
4. Take Practice Tests: Familiarize yourself with the exam format.
5. Get Help from Experts: Join review courses or study groups for guidance.
6. Keep Up with Current Affairs: Stay updated on corrections news.
7. Practice Time Management: Learn to answer questions quickly.
8. Learn the Rules: Study laws and corrections policies.
9. Discuss with Peers: Talk about tough topics with others.
10. Stay Motivated: Set small goals and reward yourself for progress.

Important Warning

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has a system that can easily catch anyone cheating on civil service exams. Cheating is illegal and will be punished under the law (Republic Act No. 9416).

Examples of cheating include:

1. Using notes or “codigo” (written or digital).
2. Pretending to be someone else.
3. Getting answers from someone inside or outside the exam room.
4. Working together with exam staff to cheat.
5. Switching exam numbers with someone else.
6. Stealing or sharing exam materials.
7. Using fake eligibility documents.
8. Any other trick that helps someone pass unfairly.

You are not allowed to take the test booklet out of the exam room. If you do, your exam results will be canceled.

The CSC also warns against sharing test questions or answers online or in any other way.

Final Thoughts

The Penology Officer Exam (POE) is a key step for those seeking to join the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

Preparing for the exam requires meeting strict qualifications, filing the necessary documents, and thoroughly studying the coverage areas.

Although the 2025 schedule has yet to be announced, aspiring candidates must stay updated through official channels.

With proper preparation and attention to detail, candidates can boost their chances of success and move closer to becoming a Penology Officer.

References

1. Sebastian, A. A. (2023, October 12). Examination Announcement No. 04 s. 2023 – CSE PPT Exam Calendar CY 2024. Csc.gov.ph. https://www.csc.gov.ph/exam
2. ExamAnnouncement02s2024_Conduct of POE for CY 2024. pdf. (n.d.). Google Docs. Retrieved October 16, 2024, from https://drive.google.com/file