El Salvador Moves Nearly 10,000 Gang Members From Prison To New 'Mega-Prison'
El Salvador moves 10,000 gang members to new 'mega-prison'. El Salvador has taken a major step in its fight against gang violence by transferring nearly 10,000 gang members to a new "mega-prison." This move is aimed at isolating these criminals from the general population and reducing their influence on the outside.
Author:Hajra ShannonReviewer:Paula M. GrahamFeb 27, 202372 Shares35.9K Views
El Salvador moves 10,000 gang members to new 'mega-prison'. El Salvador has taken a major step in its fight against gang violence by transferring nearly 10,000 gang members to a new "mega-prison." This move is aimed at isolating these criminals from the general population and reducing their influence on the outside.
“„This will be their new home, where they won’t be able to do any more harm to the population.- President Nayib Bukele
Some 2,000 alleged gang members were transferred to the 40,000-person capacity jail on Friday morning.
Prisoners having their hair shorn may be seen jogging barefoot around the new jail in a video shared by Bukele. There are a lot of people with gang tattoos.
El Salvador moves suspected gang members to new 'mega prison' amid human rights criticism
The Mega-Prison
The new facility, called Zacatecoluca, has been under construction for several years and can hold up to 20,000 prisoners. It is heavily fortified with multiple layers of security, including electronic surveillance, armed guards, and barriers to prevent escape attempts.
Compared to Rikers Island, The mega prison can hold almost twice as many inmates. The anticipated prisoner population for the jail, based on statistics compiled by The Post, is almost three times that of Rikers Island, despite being constructed over 165 hectares in a remote section of the nation.
“„While the prison is likely to help maintain the president’s very high popularity, packing tens of thousands of detainees is unlikely to bring security for Salvadorans in a sustainable manner.- Juan Pappier, the acting deputy director for the Americas at Human Rights Watch
Gang Violence In El Salvador
El Salvador has been plagued by gang violence for many years, with two main groups - Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and Barrio 18 - controlling a significant portion of the country's criminal activity. These gangs have been responsible for various crimes, including murder, extortion, and drug trafficking.
President Bukele's Announcement
The transfer of almost 10,000 gang members was announced by President Nayib Bukele on social media.
“„We have just transferred 9,710 dangerous criminals to the new, ultra-maximum-security prison. They will not see the light of day for decades to come.- President Bukele
Images of prisoners being transferred inside the huge jail were widely circulated over the weekend by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who depicted them running stooped over in white shorts with their feet and chests exposed. The clip has eerie soundtrack and the clanking of the inmate's shackles.
As stated in the indictment by the United States Department of Justice, gangs established arrangements with the government to decrease the frequency of public killings after Bukele's February 2019 presidential victory. "while in reality, MS-13 authorities continued to sanction killings when the victims' corpses were buried or otherwise concealed," the murder rate dropped below detection.
Criticisms And Concerns
While the government's move has been applauded by some as a necessary step to combat gang violence, others have raised concerns over the conditions within the new prison and the potential for human rights abuses. Critics argue that overcrowding and poor conditions could lead to further problems.
A Bold Move By The Government
Despite potential issues, the transfer represents a bold move by the government to tackle one of the country's most pressing issues. If successful, it could lead to a significant reduction in gang-related crime and help restore a sense of safety and security for the people of El Salvador.
Final Words
El Salvador's transfer of almost 10,000 gang members to the new "mega-prison" is a significant move in its fight against gang violence. It remains to be seen whether this new approach will be successful, but it represents a bold attempt to combat a problem that has long plagued the country.
Hajra Shannon
Author
Paula M. Graham
Reviewer
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