# Latin America prison reform > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/latin-america-prison-reform > Updated: 2026-08-26T14:37:44.000Z. Sources: 41. Developments: 8. In early July 2026, Argentina launched wide-ranging prison reforms, including expanded education, recycling programs, and a new inmate classification system for manufacturing work for the armed forces. Federal authorities also confiscated over 4,000 inmate-owned cell phones and implemented surprise inspections. A week later, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru marked a regional “Day of the Penitentiary Service.” Ceremonies honored correctional staff and held cadet certification conferences. Colombian officials emphasized rehabilitation and human-rights monitoring at facilities like Lurigancho and Valledupar. By mid-July, Argentina began modernizing the Chimbas facility with AI-enabled cameras and scanners to address overcrowding. In Panama, a proposal to replace some in-person visits with video calls sparked debate regarding detainee rights. In Chile, officials held community meetings in Rancagua to address neighborhood impacts ahead of a re-licensing tender. Following a controversy involving inmates livestreaming from San Felipe prison, Argentina’s Governor Alfredo Cornejo urged for the extension of mobile-blocking powers to provincial facilities. On August 13, 2026, this commitment was formalized through Resolution 734/2026. The regulation allows provinces, such as Mendoza, to join an official protocol to disable mobile devices detected within penitentiary establishments. Under this measure, service providers must block the IMEI, the IMSI, and the linked telephone number. To prevent interference with nearby residents or businesses, the regulation specifies that technologies must be strictly adjusted and that inhabilitations require an express request from the National Ministry of Security, which will centralize requests from participating provinces. On August 18, 2026, Córdoba joined the national protocol. The province’s Minister of Justice and Labor, Julián López, implemented the measure to prevent inmates from reusing hardware by swapping components. By late August, the Ministry of Security established the “Program for the Detection and Blocking of Mobile Telephony in Penitentiary Establishments” via Resolution 806/2026. ## Claims - Córdoba has joined the national protocol to block mobile devices in provincial prisons. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The protocol allows for the simultaneous blocking of the IMEI, the IMSI, and the associated phone line. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Minister of Justice and Labor Julián López instructed the implementation of this measure. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Blocking requests must be channeled through the National Ministry of Security to mobile service providers. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Prosecutor Lucas Moyano warned that mobile phone access in prisons facilitates cybercrime, identity theft, and drug trafficking coordination. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Argentina launches program to block mobile phones in prisons Argentina has launched a national program to detect and block mobile phones in prisons to disrupt criminal coordination. Misiones province will maintain its own existing communication protocols for now. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-launches-program-to-block-mobile-phones-in-prisons ### 2026-08-18: Córdoba adopts national protocol to block mobile phones in prisons Córdoba has adopted a national protocol to block IMEI, IMSI, and phone lines of mobile devices detected in provincial prisons to combat cybercrime and organized illicit activities. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/crdoba-adopts-national-protocol-to-block-mobile-phones-in-prisons ### 2026-08-13: Argentina authorizes mobile phone blocking in provincial prisons Argentina has authorized provincial prisons to block mobile phones, SIM cards, and phone lines to prevent criminal activity coordinated from within penitentiary facilities. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-authorizes-mobile-phone-blocking-in-provincial-prisons ### 2026-08-07: Enacom to allow cell phone blocking in Argentine provincial prisons Enacom will amend regulations to allow provincial authorities in Argentina to block illegal cell phones and lines in prisons, following a viral streaming incident by inmates. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/enacom-to-allow-cell-phone-blocking-in-argentine-provincial-prisons ### 2026-07-30: Chile and Argentina tackle prison externalities and phone contraband Chile’s senator meets officials and locals to discuss Rancagua prison impacts, while Argentina’s governor pushes for phone‑blocking rules after inmates livestream from San Felipe prison. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chile-and-argentina-tackle-prison-externalities-and-phone-contraband ### 2026-07-18: Argentina and Panama push prison reforms with tech upgrades Argentina upgrades Chimbas prison with AI cameras and scanners, while Panama debates voluntary video‑call visits as a reform measure. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-and-panama-push-prison-reforms-with-tech-upgrades ### 2026-07-16: Penitentiary staff celebrated in Argentina, Peru and Colombia Latin American regions held penitentiary service day events, honoring staff and stressing training, infrastructure and inmate rehabilitation. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/prison-and-police-personnel-honored-in-argentina-colombia-and-peru ### 2026-07-06: Argentina expands prison education programs and bans inmate cell phones Argentina’s prisons are adding education programs and a digital lab while the federal government removes inmate cell phones and expands security searches, aiming to cut crime and aid reintegration. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/argentina-expands-prison-education-programs-and-bans-inmate-cell-phones --- Cite as: Latin America prison reform. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/latin-america-prison-reform