Chile expands prison capacity with over 1,000 new places

The Chilean government signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement to accelerate the Master Plan for Prison Infrastructure, which aims to add more than 1,000 prison places in the Biobío region. The plan includes expanding the Biobío Prison Complex in Concepción by 285 spots and building a new 800‑bed facility in Los Ángeles.

The agreement, signed by President José Antonio Kast, involves the ministries of Justice and Human Rights, Public Security and Public Works. It will use the public‑works ministry’s concession system to speed up construction, expand existing sites and re‑tender others, seeking private investors to improve efficiency. The broader plan covers 15 establishments nationwide and runs until 2030; it was originally drafted under former President Gabriel Boric.

Officials say the move addresses a growing inmate population that has outpaced prison capacity, creating severe overcrowding and limiting the ability to segment and monitor prisoners. The new and expanded facilities are presented as part of a modern penitentiary strategy with better technology, surveillance and security.