Palmasola

Centro de Rehabilitación Santa Cruz "Palmasola" is a maximum security prison in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It is Bolivia's largest prison and holds about 3,500 prisoners. Like many prisons in Latin America, guards exhibit minimal control over what happens within the prison, leading it to being described as a "prison town". Guards instead concentrate only on securing the perimeter of the facility. According to former inmates, almost anything can be obtained in the prison, and businesses operate inside the prison to supply weapons and drugs.[1] Prisoners of Palmasola have created an organization called the Disciplina Interna to oversee some affairs.[2]

Under Bolivian law, children under the age of six may live in a prison with their parent. As such, Palmasola is home to a number of children.[3] The United Nations has criticized the policy. Four out of five prisoners in Palmasola are awaiting trial.[1] On May 11, 2012, ABC News – Nightline featured a story about American businessman Jacob Ostreicher who was held in Palmasola for 11 months without a trial.[4]

Pope Francis visited the prison on July 10, 2015 during his papal visit to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Paraguay .[5]

2013 riot
Main article: 2013 Palmasola prison riot

At approximately 6 am on August 23, 2013, a riot broke out at Palmasola when a gang living in cell block B broke a hole in the wall that separated it from cell block A, the home of a rival gang. They then used machetes, small knives, and sticks to attack their rivals, and ignited a number of propane tanks to use as flame throwers or bombs.[6] The riot reportedly started as a battle over leadership and control of the "Chonchocorito" sector of the prison.[7] Thirty-one people died in the riot, most of whom were burnt to death. Among the dead was an 18-month-old who was living at the prison.[8] A further 37 inmates were seriously injured with burns over 60–90% of their bodies, and 256 were evacuated.[1][8]

This was the deadliest prison riot in Bolivian history.[7] In the aftermath of the riot, the archbishop of Santa Cruz, the local Ombudsman, and members of the National Convergence political party issued calls for reform within the prison and judicial system.[6]

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See also

References
  1. "At least 30 dead, 60 hurt in fiery battle between rival inmates in Bolivia prison". The Washington Post. Associated Press. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  2. "Im Labyrinth der Unordnung". Der Spiegel. December 5, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  3. "Bolivia's Prison Children". BBC News. November 16, 2005. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
  4. "American Sits Almost a Year With No Charges in Isolated Bolivian Prison". ABC News – Nightline. May 11, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2012.
  5. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/popes-homecoming-tour-moves-from-ecuador-to-bolivia/ar-AAcIxvL
  6. "Mueren 29 reos y un niño en la más cruenta reyerta carcelaria en Bolivia". Bolpress. August 24, 2013. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  7. "Aumenta a 31 la cifra de muertos por matanza en Palmasola" [The death toll in Pamasola killings increases to 31]. Associated Press. August 25, 2013. Archived from the original on August 26, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  8. "Bolivia prison riot death toll rises". BBC. August 24, 2013. Retrieved August 24, 2013.

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