Penitentiary staff celebrated in Argentina, Peru and Colombia

Government officials in several Latin American jurisdictions marked a dedicated "Day of the Penitentiary Service" with ceremonies that honored prison staff and highlighted professional development. In Argentina, the ministries of Justice in Santiago del Estero, Tierra del Fuego and San Juan held events that included religious invocations, speeches by governors and ministers, and the inauguration of a penitentiary band. Speakers praised the commitment of male and female agents, noted recent institutional growth, and outlined challenges such as rising inmate populations and the need for infrastructure upgrades.

In Colombia, the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) celebrated its Resocialisation Day at the Lurigancho prison, with the Minister of Justice and Human Rights highlighting educational, work and cultural programs that involve more than 29 000 inmates. Similar acknowledgments were made at the high‑security Valledupar prison, where officials stressed human‑rights monitoring and rehabilitation activities.

Argentina’s security secretariat also organized a certification conference for new penitentiary police cadets, focusing on national standards and continuous training. These coordinated observances across the region underscore a shared emphasis on recognizing correctional personnel, improving prison conditions and advancing rehabilitation efforts.