Venezuelan prison detainees face inhumane conditions in Caracas

The Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) has reported inhumane conditions within the detention cells of the Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in the San Agustín parish of Caracas. Approximately 120 detainees are held in the Criminal Investigation Directorate (DIP) facilities, which lack the necessary infrastructure for long-term detention.

According to family members, detainees are only permitted to bathe once a week. The cells are severely overcrowded; for instance, four cells intended for roughly ten people each are housing approximately 90 individuals. Detainees reportedly lack access to bathrooms, using holes within their cells for waste, and are denied access to sunlight except on visitation days.

Families have expressed urgent concerns regarding potential outbreaks of contagious skin diseases, such as scabies, due to the lack of hygiene. Additionally, relatives report being asked weekly for money or disinfectant to provide cleaning supplies for the facility.