Psychology Article New York Times
Psychology Article New York Times
Colombia's most notorious prison
Colombia has a national population of 44,050,000. According to the International Centre for Prison studies 60,158 are incarcerated in prison. The country has an atmosphere that breeds corruption. This can be largely attributed to cocaine trafficking. Drug cartels battle for control of drug trafficking, leading to violence. Prison population has swelled and the country has not enough facilities to accommodate. As many as 19 people smashed into a cell fit to hold four. In some cases, prisoners are forced to lie on top of each other. Since 1992 there has been almost a 50% increase in prisoners. My paper will focus on Colombia's outdated prison system and its changes in order to create a more modern facility. The most notorious prison in the country, La Picota AKA "La Modelo".
The facility is located in the capital of Bogota. It houses about 5,000 prisoners who are among their country's most violent offenders. The northern part of the prison consists of Left Wing Rebels, which includes FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). At the southern end of the facility, right-wing government supporters and paramilitaries have control. The area, located in between is where most of the violence and killings happen.
The gangs are largely run prison. There is a how a gang is operating. There are also established throughout Restraint plant. Many are driven by prison gangs, but there are more driven by individuals. These individuals must pay tax to the gang monthly. A Restraint powered by FARC provides free food to its members. One factor that makes this company so dangerous is that prisoners have access to firearms, including those automatically.
Warders not carry weapons, except the guards in the watchtower. Most guns are smuggled into the prison and the current rate is $ 1,000. The corruption that exists in the prison staff allows inmates using mobile phones and even satellite communications. It allows them to still run their criminal activities involving drug trafficking, kidnapping and extortion. There is a practice known as "Ciambiazo" or big change. An occupant changes places with an outside visitor, who is paid around 2000-5000 dollars.
There have been significant developments in prison, has led to changes. 27 April, 2005 there were 25 inmates killed in a fight. The event caught the attention worldwide and ultimately lead to a prison documentary by Discovery Channel. The next event took place June 21, 2001, where 100 inmates fled after members of FARC blew a hole in the wall. Shortly after FARC commander Jorge Briceno said, "The group had claimed responsibility, and that it would continue to perform such acts to free trapped comrade from jail. "What followed was the forced resignation of Fabio Campos Silva, who was director of the Colombian National Penitentiary Institute (INPEC). Inpec has been criticized as being corrupt. In March, 700 out of 4.00 employees have been fired at LA Modelo prison, including five chief wardens. With so much negative attention in prison, there have been several reforms. A three months' prison state of emergency was "ordered. INPEC also had authority to fire guards suspected for corruption. Also INPEC arranged the transfer of several inmates to other jails 100 has been moved so far. All shops and Restraint in prison is closed. Security has also been strengthened, but guns still exist everywhere. A special antenna is located near the plant to stop all incoming and outgoing cell phone signals with satellite communications. The government is now building more modern high-risk prisons, which is scheduled to hold high-risk inmates. Some of the funds to the new prisons have been supplied by the U.S. government. Our government has long shown their dissatisfaction over the Colombian Criminal Justice System.
In March this year La Modelo was closed due after a human rights inspection by the Attorney General. The Human Right People who inspected noted many of the inmates suffer from poor health and mental orders. Also noted was that the outdated facility had little access to rehabilitation programs. From what I've learned this semester is that rehabilition is essential to reduce the amount of recidivism among criminals. More unjust treatments have also been discovered, powerful criminals with money are able to use their money to get less sentences with action. A convicted car thief reported to the New York Times that "the guards in prison charged $ 12 for certificates for good behavior were duly processed and about $ 350 to allow a tenant out on leave. "He also said" guards charged prisoners to be transferred to better cells, to sleep alone, and even make local calls. "This kind of special treatment in exchange for money has been going on for years. Drug dealers with money are given little time in jail. Despite our efforts to help Colombia create a more modern criminal law and criminal justice system is a long ways to go. There was no thorough reform in its prisons. 54% of the prison budget used to house maximum security inmates, who account for only 1 per cent. This has absolutely no logic behind it. Some prisoners go hungry while the other party. Setting up a budget with a wide range of reforms that include a form of rehabilitation may prove to be beneficial. There is a long way to go and a lot of improvements to be made to Colombia's prison system to become more modernized. It is obvious that the country can not perform this task alone, but with help from countries like the U.S. it is achievable.
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