The Camarines Norte Provincial Jail was establish in 1921 or Three years after the its separation from the province of Camarines Norte were brought and confined at the Camarines Sur Provincial Jail at Naga Camarines Sur. When Camarines Norte became an independent province, the provincial jail was constructed in Daet.
The care and supervision of the jail were then under the Provincial Commander of the Philippine Constabulary Detachment on whom then Governor Miguel Lukban entrusted the prisoners. When then Governor Gabriel Hernandez assumed administration of the province in 1923, he appointed a Provincial Warden and two (2) guards . But when Governor Gabriel Hernandez was elected again to office in 1932 he augmented the force to 5 by appointing two more guards when the number of inmates increased.
In 1935 the force was again increased to six. And in the same year a Court House was built separately. Later, the Provincial Jail was occupying the lower portion of this building.
In 1939, then Governor Miguel Lukban who was also elected back to office increased the force to eight (8) which had been maintained until the outbreak of the Second World War. It could be mentioned that prisoners during those years were strictly confined inside their cell and were never allowed to open field. The government was at that time beginning only to think of methods to improve their situation. Hardly could the adopted measures be introduced that the Second World War broke out; the Japanese put up its puppet Government. Guerillas or other captives and suspect of the Japanese Army were dumped inside the Provincial jail and were taken out anytime they want to torture or execute them.
When liberation came and the Philippine Government was formally restored, the Provincial Jail of Camarines Norte was established. At first, prisoners were housed in a rented store owned by a Chinese and later were transferred to a temporary building within the ruins of the pre-war Capitol of the province. Then Governor Froilan Pimentel who was appointed by the PCAU government organized the personnel of the jail, appointing his choice men for the job. When Governor Wilfredo Panotes was elected to office he appointed two more guards, and increased the force to 10. The guarding force of the jail then was sufficient enough, but there was one problem: congestion of prisoners.
So when the late Governor Esmeraldo Eco succeeded Governor Panotes he immediately ordered construction of a separate building for the Provincial Jail at the back of the Present Court House. The rapid increase in the commitment, however, created back the old problem of inadequate guards. The number of inmates have gone up that the needs for additional guards was necessary; Governor Eco increased the force from 10 to 13. Governor Dominador Asis who succeeded Eco maintained this strength throughout his term.
When Governor Wenceslao G.Vinzons, Jr. assumed office, he realized the need to educate the prisoners while they are being confined. He planned a penal farm wherein prisoners could be taught of modern agriculture and raise vegetables. The main objective was to prepare the inmates of the provincial jail to be self supporting. For this purpose he is also increased the guarding force to 15. When the present administration took over the stewardship of the province, the first thing Governor Nicolas Pardo did was to make into realization the plan of his predecessor. He is of the firm belief that prisoners be educated on modern ways of agriculture and be taught of various means of livelihood so that they will be prepared for decent and peaceful living upon their release. Immediately he negotiated a three-hectare lot in labo for the establishment of Penal farm. After two months, the Governor’s effort was realized. Prisoners are now being taught there of the modern method of raising vegetables. A hollow block making machine was also installed and a baby sawmill was constructed. All hollow- blocks and lumber needed by the Provincial Government in its project are being cut at the Penal Farm in which labor is supplied by the prisoners. Prisoners who are deemed not physically fit for work outside are taught home industrial arts with the guidance of technicians from authoritative agencies of the Government.
–written by Jose Avecilla –Provincial Warden; page 74 of the Golden Jubilee Magazine courtesy of Provincial Library Area of Ms. Amelia Visitacion and Mrs. Lorenia C. Tuazon
The Camarines Norte Provincial Custodial Security Services Division under the Governor’s Office with its full compliance by the head under Warden Reynaldo Pajarillo with 30Females and 236 male with a total of 268 inmates
