Magdalena prison: 15 officers arrested for torture and sexual abuse

Fifteen members of the Buenos Aires Penitentiary Service (SPB) have been arrested following allegations of torture and sexual abuse against female inmates at the Magdalena Unit 51 prison. The detainees include seven men and eight women, among them high-ranking officials such as the head of Surveillance and Treatment, Daiana Belén Balmaceda, the deputy head, and the head of Search and Seizure.

The investigation, led by prosecutor Álvaro Garganta and ordered by Judge Juan Pablo Masi, stems from a complaint by the Provincial Commission for Memory (CPM). The incidents reportedly occurred on June 3, 2026, following a minor altercation between inmates. According to reports, officers used pepper spray in enclosed spaces and subjected women to physical violence, including beatings, asphyxiation, and being forced to undress in front of male staff.

Specific allegations include sexual abuse and humiliating commands, such as forcing an inmate to ‘kiss the boots’ of an officer. The judicial proceedings also involve searches of the suspects' homes to secure evidence. The legal charges include torture, sexual abuse with carnal access, and breach of official duties.