Prison systems in Peru and Colombia face corruption and overcrowding

Prison systems in Peru and Colombia are facing significant challenges regarding corruption, overcrowding, and organized crime. In Peru, corruption within the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) has facilitated the entry of mobile devices and chips into cells. These tools allow inmates to coordinate criminal activities such as extortion, bombings, and murders from within the facilities. To combat this, Defense Minister Rafael Belaunde has proposed utilizing the Armed Forces to reinforce prison perimeters, control entry and exit points for staff and goods, and block cellular signals.

In Colombia, the penitentiary system is struggling with severe overcrowding and a lack of state control. Since 2022, overcrowding has risen from 19.9% to 27.1%, and when including detainees held in police stations and prosecutor offices, the figure exceeds 53%. While the current administration has proposed building megaprison models similar to those used by Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, critics argue for more traditional prison improvements to avoid human rights violations and address the systemic issues of crime and corruption.