New Bilibid Prison, Prison complex in Muntinlupa, Philippines.
New Bilibid Prison is a correctional facility in Muntinlupa, Philippines, covering three compounds for inmates of different security levels. The buildings spread across an expansive site with cell blocks, administrative structures, workshops, and open areas that give detainees limited room to move.
The complex was built starting in 1936 to replace the older jail in Manila and opened in 1940. During the Second World War, it served as a camp for prisoners of war before resuming its original function.
The name comes from the older facility in Manila, while the three separate compounds with their cell blocks and yards structure daily routines. Inmates attend workshops, work in gardens, and move between buildings, giving the place its own rhythm.
The complex sits on the outskirts of the city, and access is restricted to a few controlled entry points with tight checks. Visitors should plan ahead, since movement inside the grounds is organized and monitored by escorts.
The grounds regularly host craft demonstrations where inmates present their work in wood or metal. These initiatives have helped some detainees develop skills they can use after release.
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