# Colombian prison system reform and security incidents

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/colombian-prison-system-reform-and-security-incidents
> Updated: 2026-09-10T01:58:47.000Z. Sources: 31. Developments: 2.

The National Penitentiary and Prison Institute (Inpec) has implemented significant changes to inmate management and facility usage in Colombia. 

Following a period of instability, including the assassination of Inpec official Wilber Ferney Martínez Sana in Itagüí, authorities investigated potential retaliation linked to the mass transfer of high-profile inmates from the La Paz maximum-security prison. These inmates included alleged members of criminal organizations such as ‘La Oficina de Envigado’.

In a subsequent move to tighten control, Inpec ended the practice of housing VIP inmates in military and police facilities, such as the Police Higher Studies Center (Cespo). This policy shift resulted in the relocation of several high-profile individuals, including former House of Representatives President Andrés Calle and former DAS deputy director Emiro Rojas Granados, to La Picota prison.

## Claims

- Urribarri, Báez, and Aguilera were definitively transferred to the El Potrero Penal Unit in Gualeguaychú. (disputed by 2 sources)
- Sergio Urribarri was sentenced to 8 years in prison, while Pedro Báez and Juan Pablo Aguilera received 6 years and 6 months each. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The Supreme Court rejected the extraordinary federal appeal filed by Sergio Urribarri, Pedro Báez, and Juan Pablo Aguilera. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Authorities requested the extradition of Alejandro Luis José Almada from Misiones to Entre Ríos. (single source)
- The prosecution has requested a 10-year prison sentence for Alejandro Luis José Almada. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Sergio Urribarri transferred to Gualeguaychú prison

Former Entre Ríos Governor Sergio Urribarri and two associates have been transferred to Gualeguaychú prison to serve corruption sentences following a Supreme Court ruling.

29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inpec-ends-vip-inmate-housing-in-colombian-military-facilities

### 2026-08-21: INPEC official assassinated in Itagüí, Colombia

An INPEC official, Wilber Ferney Martínez Sana, was assassinated by gunmen in Itagüí while heading to his shift at La Paz prison. Authorities are investigating potential retaliation by criminal groups.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/inpec-official-assassinated-in-itag-colombia

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Cite as: Colombian prison system reform and security incidents. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/colombian-prison-system-reform-and-security-incidents