President Luis Abinader announced on Thursday that the completion of the Las Parras penitentiary has required an investment exceeding RD$2,000 million and that work remains unfinished. The statement was made during the Third National Meeting on Support for Prison Reform, held at the National Palace and chaired by the president. Roberto Santana, director of the National Office for Prison Reform Support, reported that the government is simultaneously constructing nine new penitentiary centers. Two of these, in Higüey and Barahona, are already operational. Santana also highlighted pending projects in several provinces, including a new tender for the San Juan center, ongoing work in Hato Mayor and Neiba, repairs at the Salcedo prison, and the search for land to build a facility in Independencia. Regarding San Juan, Abinader explained that structural problems forced a halt to construction and that a new tender is necessary because the cost exceeded the legal limit. He also noted that the Las Parras center, initially presented as a simple painting job, has incurred costs beyond the projected budget and still requires additional work. Santana provided further statistics: the prison population fell from 27,481 inmates in 2020 to 25,494 in 2026. Last year, 180 public defenders helped release approximately 5,000 inmates through legal processes. He emphasized that the reform will continue with the support of around 700 organizations and individuals involved in provincial support spaces. The director also mentioned anti-corruption efforts, including the removal of 128 police officers from the prison system and audits of facilities. Programs for mental health care for inmates are underway, with a first facility already operational in Najayo. The closure of La Victoria prison involves a gradual, organized transfer of inmates; the facility’s population has dropped from 7,600 in 2020 to about 1,900, with a target of fewer than 1,000 this year. Plans for the 200,000‑square‑meter site include a “Ciudad Educativa” featuring universities, technical schools, government services, a thematic space, and a cable‑car terminal. Rodolfo Valentín Santos, director of the National Office of Public Defense, praised President Abinader’s support for the reform, noting that challenges such as overcrowding and poor conditions persist in some centers. He described the project as a state commitment that would not be possible without presidential backing. During the meeting, the president received reports and proposals aimed at strengthening prison management, updating operational manuals, and establishing standards for prison staff careers. He also swore in new members of the Advisory Council for prison reform, who pledged to improve inmate conditions and promote rehabilitation and social reintegration.
Article source: De Ultimo Minuto | Image credit: De Ultimo Minuto