Corrupt, Violent, and Overcrowded: Inside Latin America’s Prisons

Despite some positive developments in recent years, Latin American prison systems still suffer from severe overcrowding and corruption.

Inmates in a cell in the Pedrinhas Prison Complex, the largest penitentiary in Maranhão state, Brazil, on Jan. 27, 2015. Previously one of the most violent prisons in Brazil, Pedrinhas has seen efforts from a new state administration, new prison officials and judiciary leaders from Maranhão which appear to have quelled some of the unrest within the complex. In 2013, nearly 60 inmates were killed within the complex, including three who were beheaded during rioting. Critics believe overcrowding is one of the primary causes of rioting and violence in Brazil's prisons. Additionally, overcrowding has strengthened prison gangs which now span the country and control certain peripheries of cities including Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and São Luis. Brazil now has the fourth-largest prison population in the world behind the United States, Russia and China. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The recent escape of Mexican drug cartel leader Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán from a Mexican maximum-security prison was a high profile example of the failings of prison systems throughout Latin America. His escape through a 1.5-km (about 1 mile) tunnel made a mockery of the jail’s security and also raised serious questions about corruption. Seven prison guards were charged with involvement, and the jail’s warden along with other officials were dismissed.

Peru’s prison system has also faced international scrutiny, but for other reasons. The conviction of Scottish and Irish teenagers Melissa Reid and Michaella McCollum Connolly last year drew attention to the prison’s poor conditions. The country’s position as a drug trafficking hub means that it holds the largest number of U.K. prisoners in Latin America, and the largest number of Spanish overseas inmates.

These two high-profile cases exemplify the failings of Latin American prison systems. But they also reveal some more positive developments they’ve had in recent years.

Ten countries in Latin America are operating prison systems at more than 200 percent capacity.