Santa Fe prison infrastructure expansion

In late August 2026, officials in Santa Fe, Argentina, announced the upcoming inauguration of Penitentiary Unit No. 9 in Recreo. Scheduled for September 3, the facility was designed with a capacity for 891 inmates and intended to support Governor Maximiliano Pullaro’s security plan by reducing the number of detainees held in police stations by approximately 80%.

Following the inauguration on September 3, a large-scale logistical operation commenced to transfer detainees from police stations and precincts in the La Capital department to the new complex. The project, representing an investment of approximately US$80 million, includes 475 cells providing spaces for both men and women. This move is expected to facilitate the permanent closure of the traditional Women’s Prison in the provincial capital. The new unit is part of a broader provincial initiative to add over 7,000 new prison spaces, aiming for a total capacity exceeding 14,000.

During the inauguration ceremony, Governor Pullaro criticized previous security approaches, labeling them as “garantismo bobo” (foolish legalism) and asserting that the state must take a firmer stance against criminal organizations. Of the total investment, $25 million was specifically allocated to advanced security technology, including artificial intelligence monitoring, facial recognition, and voice identification for telephone calls. While the facility is designed for an initial capacity of 891 inmates, its infrastructure is capable of accommodating up to 1,200 people.