Costa Rica's Justice Minister Visits El Salvador's Mega Prison to Explore Reform Models
Gerald Campos assesses conditions at the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo amidst rising crime in Costa Rica.
TECOLUCA, EL SALVADOR.
On April 4, 2023, Gerald Campos, Costa Rica's Minister of Justice, toured the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (Cecot), a maximum-security prison in El Salvador known for its harsh conditions.
Campos's visit included observing inmates, including over 200 Venezuelans deported by the United States.
During the tour, he witnessed prisoners displaying intricate tattoos, a common characteristic among gang members.
The Minister stated his intention to adopt successful practices from the El Salvador model to reform Costa Rica's prison system.
"We need to reform our prisons, start building new facilities that align with the levels of crime we face today," Campos emphasized.
This visit marks the second high-profile assessment of the Cecot within ten days, following a trip by Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, on March 26, who cautioned migrants against traveling to their country.
The Cecot is recognized as the largest prison in Latin America, currently housing approximately 15,000 Salvadorans accused of affiliation with violent gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18.
Campos's inspection occurs during a period of escalating homicides and drug-related crimes in Costa Rica, a nation previously considered the safest in Central America.
Costa Rica has faced scrutiny from humanitarian organizations after accepting 200 migrants deported from the U.S., predominantly from Asia, who are currently held in a shelter near the Panama border pending resettlement offers.
The Cecot is guarded by a substantial force, consisting of around 1,000 prison guards, 600 soldiers, and 250 police officers.
It was inaugurated by President Nayib Bukele on January 31, 2023, as part of his administration's aggressive campaign against gang violence, a strategy that has faced significant human rights criticism.
Inmates are housed in concrete cells with thick steel bars, sleeping on steel bunks without mattresses.
Water for drinking is provided from plastic barrels.
The Salvadoran government has detained over 86,000 individuals under a state of emergency that permits arrests without warrants, leaving many prisoners without legal recourse.
While around 8,000 detainees have been released due to innocence, human rights advocates argue that numerous innocent individuals remain incarcerated.
In response to ongoing criticisms, Salvage Minister Gustavo Villatoro declared the government's stance against human rights defenders, saying, "We have sent them packing." This reflects a broader trend in Central America as governments grapple with increasing crime rates and the challenges of managing deportees.
On April 4, 2023, Gerald Campos, Costa Rica's Minister of Justice, toured the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (Cecot), a maximum-security prison in El Salvador known for its harsh conditions.
Campos's visit included observing inmates, including over 200 Venezuelans deported by the United States.
During the tour, he witnessed prisoners displaying intricate tattoos, a common characteristic among gang members.
The Minister stated his intention to adopt successful practices from the El Salvador model to reform Costa Rica's prison system.
"We need to reform our prisons, start building new facilities that align with the levels of crime we face today," Campos emphasized.
This visit marks the second high-profile assessment of the Cecot within ten days, following a trip by Kristi Noem, the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, on March 26, who cautioned migrants against traveling to their country.
The Cecot is recognized as the largest prison in Latin America, currently housing approximately 15,000 Salvadorans accused of affiliation with violent gangs such as Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18.
Campos's inspection occurs during a period of escalating homicides and drug-related crimes in Costa Rica, a nation previously considered the safest in Central America.
Costa Rica has faced scrutiny from humanitarian organizations after accepting 200 migrants deported from the U.S., predominantly from Asia, who are currently held in a shelter near the Panama border pending resettlement offers.
The Cecot is guarded by a substantial force, consisting of around 1,000 prison guards, 600 soldiers, and 250 police officers.
It was inaugurated by President Nayib Bukele on January 31, 2023, as part of his administration's aggressive campaign against gang violence, a strategy that has faced significant human rights criticism.
Inmates are housed in concrete cells with thick steel bars, sleeping on steel bunks without mattresses.
Water for drinking is provided from plastic barrels.
The Salvadoran government has detained over 86,000 individuals under a state of emergency that permits arrests without warrants, leaving many prisoners without legal recourse.
While around 8,000 detainees have been released due to innocence, human rights advocates argue that numerous innocent individuals remain incarcerated.
In response to ongoing criticisms, Salvage Minister Gustavo Villatoro declared the government's stance against human rights defenders, saying, "We have sent them packing." This reflects a broader trend in Central America as governments grapple with increasing crime rates and the challenges of managing deportees.
