Ecuador prison system faces surge in violence and fatalities

Ecuador's penitentiary system is experiencing a wave of violence, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries across several facilities. In Latacunga, four inmates died at the Cotopaxi prison, including three reportedly shot and one allegedly strangled. This occurred shortly after a reclassification of inmates by the National Service for the Integral Attention to Persons Deprived of Liberty (SNAI).

In Quito, the El Inca prison reported four deaths and ten injuries during recent incidents. Additionally, the Turi prison in Cuenca recorded five deaths between October 19 and October 25, with investigators noting signs of violence in several cases.

In response to the instability, SNAI has begun a classification program for over 9,000 prisoners to disrupt criminal organization command chains. Authorities have also transferred suspected perpetrators to the El Encuentro maximum-security prison in Santa Elena. Meanwhile, military operations in prisons like CPL Azuay have led to the seizure of contraband, including mobile phones and sharp objects.