Argentina expands prison education programs and bans inmate cell phones

Argentina’s prison system is undergoing a series of reforms at both provincial and federal levels. Carlos Suárez, director of the Servicio Penitenciario Provincial in San Juan, highlighted new educational initiatives, including primary and secondary classes for over 200 inmates, university degrees in law and hygiene, and a digital computer room named “Papa Francisco.” The prison service also launched an environmental recycling program with local partners.

At the federal level, Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva announced the removal of more than 4,000 inmate‑owned cell phones and the implementation of permanent surprise searches across federal penitentiaries. She said the new classification system assigns tasks such as manufacturing uniforms and footwear for the armed forces, and noted a decline in the homicide rate from 4.4 to 3.6 per 100,000 people. Together, the measures aim to curb criminal activity from within prisons and improve inmate reintegration prospects.