Fujimori orders Peru prison overhaul after deadly gang clash kills three inmates
Key Takeaways
- Three inmates were killed and several injured during a confrontation at El Milagro prison.
- Fujimori ordered a review of all inmates, with dangerous prisoners set for transfer to Challapalca.
- Peru plans tighter prison controls and an expansion of its "Zero Idleness" work programme.
Peru's president announces nationwide inmate reclassification and plans to transfer dangerous criminals to Challapalca prison following deadly violence at El Milagro.
Peruvian President Keiko Fujimori has ordered a nationwide reorganisation of the country's prison system after a violent confrontation between inmates at El Milagro prison left three people dead and several others injured.
The violence occurred on Sunday, November 1, at the prison in Huanchaco, in the northern province of Trujillo.
During a visit to the facility on Monday, Fujimori said the confrontation was believed to have started over disagreements between criminal groups concerning the appointment of a new prison delegate.
"Yesterday there was a brawl, as the head of INPE (Peruvian National Penitentiary Institute), the regional director and the prison director have explained. It is part of this fight between gangs, which occurred, in principle, because of the appointment of the new delegate," Fujimori declared.
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The president acknowledged that government efforts to tighten prison security, including blocking communication signals and strengthening perimeter surveillance, had caused resistance among some inmates.
"We also understand that taking back control of the prisons, prohibiting the entry of communication signals and enforcing strict control on the perimeter causes discomfort," she noted.
As part of the planned reforms, Fujimori instructed the Justice Minister to prepare a complete register of prisoners across the country, including their classifications.
The information will be used to determine how inmates should be redistributed among Peru's correctional facilities.
"I have asked the Justice Minister for the complete list of all inmates in all the prisons of Peru, with their respective classifications. A reordering of all inmates will be carried out nationwide," she announced.
Under the new measures, prisoners considered highly dangerous, including those convicted of murder and leaders of criminal organisations, will be transferred to Challapalca prison in the southern department of Tacna.
"I repeat, there will be a reclassification and the most dangerous criminals, the murderers, will be transferred to Challapalca," the President said.
The announcement followed Fujimori's official visit to El Salvador, where she toured the Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT) to examine the country's prison management and security approach.
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Fujimori also announced plans to expand Peru's "Zero Idleness" programme by introducing additional productive workshops in prisons to encourage inmates to work and participate in rehabilitation activities.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
