Canoa community opposes 1,000 million peso prison project

The Dominican Republic government's plan to construct the Barahona Correction and Rehabilitation Center (CCR) has met opposition from community leaders in Canoa. The project, managed by the Ministry of Housing, Habitat and Buildings (Mivhed), involves an estimated investment of 1,000 million pesos. The facility is designed to cover 68,000 square meters and house approximately 800 inmates, featuring security towers, various inmate pavilions, and educational facilities.

Community leader Eimel Antonio Reyes de León has criticized the project, alleging that the construction process violates municipal laws by failing to obtain proper approval from the local council. Residents have also raised concerns regarding the lack of environmental and social impact studies. Critics argue that the land should instead be used for priority infrastructure such as clinics, stadiums, or technological training centers.

In a separate development, Mivhed Minister Jean Luis Rodríguez announced that his administration will prioritize streamlining the permitting process to accelerate construction projects. Rodríguez stated he aims to act as a facilitator between the public and private sectors to reduce response times for various works, including housing, hospitals, and prisons, currently under the ministry's supervision.