Controversy Surrounds Costa Rica's New Penitentiary Plans
Justice Minister Gerald Campos addresses concerns and threats surrounding the proposed $35 million prison project.
Gerald Campos, Costa Rica's Minister of Justice and Peace, publicly objected to the term "megacárcel" being used to describe the government's planned new penitentiary, which is expected to cost approximately $35 million.
During a session with the Legislative Assembly's Hacendarios Commission, Campos stated, "I did not talk about a megacárcel, and I do not know where that term comes from," while contending that the estimated cost was derived from technical assessments.
The location of the new prison has not been disclosed due to security concerns, according to Campos, who refused to confirm any details until further analyses have been conducted.
He cited a "security matter" as the reason for withholding information, indicating that he and other officials have received death threats related to their roles.
"It would be very imprudent to cause chaos, and at this moment there are officials—myself included—who, based on instructions from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), are under threat of death," he asserted.
This statement prompted a response from Deputy Vanessa Castro of the Christian Social Unity Party (PUSC).
Castro expressed her understanding of Campos's predicament, noting that many legislators have faced similar threats.
"Yes, there are many deputies who have received death threats; we understand that, including myself.
So, this is not exclusively your issue," she said.
Castro acknowledged the need for transparency regarding the project, highlighting that as it involves public resources, certain details should be shared.
"We are not talking about strategic matters; we all know that these cannot be disclosed.
But obviously, matters regarding infrastructure, expenses, number of personnel required, and similar issues are logical to disclose because we are not discussing private funds, but public money.
Therefore, we need to account for all of this," she emphasized.
Additionally, Deputy Eliécer Feinzaig from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) expressed regret that the situation has escalated to the point where the Minister of Justice is compelled to limit the disclosure of critical information due to threats.
Feinzaig linked the climate of fear to the broader political environment, asserting that such conditions are fostered by governmental efforts to create polarization and division.
He stated, "This does not occur in a vacuum, Minister.
This arises in an environment where there is a governmental effort to provoke a climate of polarization, division, and attack against anyone who does not align with them."
According to Campos, the proposed penitentiary is designed to accommodate approximately 5,100 inmates, focusing particularly on individuals involved in organized crime activities.
The ongoing discussions surrounding this project highlight not only the logistical challenges of prison reform in Costa Rica but also the serious security concerns facing public officials in the current political climate.
During a session with the Legislative Assembly's Hacendarios Commission, Campos stated, "I did not talk about a megacárcel, and I do not know where that term comes from," while contending that the estimated cost was derived from technical assessments.
The location of the new prison has not been disclosed due to security concerns, according to Campos, who refused to confirm any details until further analyses have been conducted.
He cited a "security matter" as the reason for withholding information, indicating that he and other officials have received death threats related to their roles.
"It would be very imprudent to cause chaos, and at this moment there are officials—myself included—who, based on instructions from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ), are under threat of death," he asserted.
This statement prompted a response from Deputy Vanessa Castro of the Christian Social Unity Party (PUSC).
Castro expressed her understanding of Campos's predicament, noting that many legislators have faced similar threats.
"Yes, there are many deputies who have received death threats; we understand that, including myself.
So, this is not exclusively your issue," she said.
Castro acknowledged the need for transparency regarding the project, highlighting that as it involves public resources, certain details should be shared.
"We are not talking about strategic matters; we all know that these cannot be disclosed.
But obviously, matters regarding infrastructure, expenses, number of personnel required, and similar issues are logical to disclose because we are not discussing private funds, but public money.
Therefore, we need to account for all of this," she emphasized.
Additionally, Deputy Eliécer Feinzaig from the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) expressed regret that the situation has escalated to the point where the Minister of Justice is compelled to limit the disclosure of critical information due to threats.
Feinzaig linked the climate of fear to the broader political environment, asserting that such conditions are fostered by governmental efforts to create polarization and division.
He stated, "This does not occur in a vacuum, Minister.
This arises in an environment where there is a governmental effort to provoke a climate of polarization, division, and attack against anyone who does not align with them."
According to Campos, the proposed penitentiary is designed to accommodate approximately 5,100 inmates, focusing particularly on individuals involved in organized crime activities.
The ongoing discussions surrounding this project highlight not only the logistical challenges of prison reform in Costa Rica but also the serious security concerns facing public officials in the current political climate.