Costa Rica transfers first 123 inmates to new mega-prison
Costa Rica began transferring 123 prisoners to its newly opened High Containment and Organised Crime Centre (CACCO) on Tuesday, marking the first major intake at the country's mega-prison.
Among the first inmates transferred were three suspects linked to the killing of Public Force officer Gerson Rosales Cascante.
Justice and Peace Minister Gabriel Aguilar Vargas described the operation as a historic milestone, saying the transfers were carried out on the instructions of President Laura Fernández. “It is a historic day for all the people of Costa Rica. We are already, just as we promised, transferring the first prisoners,” Aguilar said.
Authorities said the operation took place under strict security measures, with inmates undergoing identity checks and security scans to detect prohibited items, including weapons, drugs and mobile phones.
Pablo Bertozzi, Director General of the Penitentiary Police, said experienced officers had been selected to oversee the facility and prevent criminal activities from continuing behind bars.
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The prison, located within the La Reforma complex in Alajuela, was inaugurated on October 14 by President Fernández.
With a capacity of 5,100 inmates across five modules, CACCO is designed to ease prison overcrowding and strengthen authorities' control over members of organised criminal groups.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
