Colombian prisons placed in state of emergency in the face of violence

2024-02-14T15:30:29.794Z

Highlights: Colombian prisons placed in state of emergency in the face of violence. Two of them have been assassinated since the start of the year. Cases of extortion are increasing. Overpopulation, unsanitary conditions, corruption, violence… The problems in Colombian prisons are not new. In Colombia, as in neighboring countries, prisons have become the operational centers of serious crime. And the little one. In the opinion of specialists, the repressive measures announced by the government will not be enough on their own to resolve the prison problem.

The Colombian government declared a state of prison emergency on Monday, February 12, to put an end to the violence committed against prison guards. Two of them have since been murdered…

Colombian prisons placed in state of emergency in the face of violence

The Colombian government declared a state of prison emergency on Monday, February 12, to put an end to the violence committed against prison guards. Two of them have been assassinated since the start of the year. And cases of extortion are increasing. According to official sources, the 125 country prisons designed for 82,000 prisoners accommodate 102,000.

A view of La Modelo prison in Bogota, January 25, 2024. © DANIEL MUNOZ / AFP

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Bogota,

Marie-Eve Detoeuf

“

We have just unanimously approved the state of alert

,” Colombian Justice Minister Néstor Osuna told the press, stressing that the measure aims to “

protect the life and integrity of prison guards and completely eradicate extortion and corruption

.” Overpopulation, unsanitary conditions, corruption, violence… The problems in Colombian prisons are not new. Néstor Osuna decided to strike hard, declaring a state of prison emergency before the situation exploded.

The measure allows the executive to mobilize the army to intervene if necessary in prisons, to carry out surprise searches in cells, to transfer prisoners, to restrict visits. The minister announced the purchase of new equipment to block satellite communications around the country's 125 prisons, in clear to prevent prisoners from using their cell phones.

In Colombia,

as in neighboring countries

, prisons have become the operational centers of serious crime. And the little one. In the opinion of specialists, the repressive measures announced by the government will not be enough on their own to resolve the prison problem. A caricature published Tuesday morning in a regional daily shows a Colombian prison in the shape of a pressure cooker.

Read alsoVenezuela: authorities take back a seventh and final prison from gangs

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Source: rfi

Colombian prisons placed in state of emergency in the face of violence

Colombian prisons placed in state of emergency in the face of violence

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