Womens riot prison facing closure
A WOMEN’S prison built to hold 400 and currently housing 1,000 could face closure.
Minister of Governmment Jorge Ricardo Fábrega said Wednesday May 22 that he will propose closing the women's rehabilitation center, scene of a riot the day before.
Fábrega said that the center, in the middle of the city, is obsolete. and, there is no space for further expansion.
He said a new prison should be built near the existing men's prison where there is available land.
The prisoners rioted over conditions in the center, lack of medical services, bad food and the time spent waiting for trial.. One prisoner died in an incident last week
Fabrega toured the facility and met with Prison Director Angel Calderon to discuss possible solutions.
"There is a permanent effort to maintain the best conditions [in the prison]," he stressed.