El Salvador is the largest prison in Latin America. Murderers, rapists and gang members go there. We are talking about the detention center for terrorism – CECOT. The prison was opened last year. It can accommodate 40,000 people and is filling up quickly as the country, which has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, has been in a state of emergency for two years. Amnesty International warns that El Salvador is facing a “gradual replacement of gang violence with state violence”. However, the public supports this policy – the first data shows a decrease in crime. CNN was the only TV channel that was able to enter the guard complex and show the conditions of the prisoners.
Until I entered the prison, I did not know what would happen to me inside. Suddenly, I saw dozens of pairs of eyes staring straight at me. These people are the most ruthless criminals, “the worst of the worst”. They have tattoos on their bodies that remind them of their dark Salvadoran past. There is an atmosphere of tension and anxiety. As prison officials say, it can't be very good here.
No mattress, no bed. There is a bowl full of water for bathroom use. There is a barrel with drinking water nearby.
This is a rare opportunity to see a prison for the worst criminals. The place is known as CECOT. Guards are always standing in front of the rooms. If we look up, we can see a corridor where there are also armed guards.
The light is on 24 hours a day. This prison is like an isolated fortress. It is surrounded by mountains, it is an hour and a half drive from the capital.
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Although we are accompanied by an authorized official, on the way we stop to check that our luggage is searched and then we can continue. Before our destination we stop at another checkpoint. We are approaching the gate. At this point, mobile phone reception stops. After a thorough inspection.
80 prisoners in one cell
We have a chance to see this huge object. It covers the area of seven football stadiums. Like several prisons in one. The complex is surrounded by three rings of fence. The outer wall is nine meters high. On top of it, a 15,000 volt grid is placed.
The number of employees is more than a thousand people. There are guards, police and soldiers. Prisoners stay in one of eight sections.
The director tells me that once inmates are in one of these units, they never leave. Everything happens inside, including doctor visits, any meetings with lawyers and court hearings.
There are more than twenty cells in each sector. On average, there are 80 prisoners in one cell. – It is not a five-star hotel, but they provide three meals a day and do some activities. You go to practice. Marvin Vasquez, one of the prisoners, says there is time for prayer.
Most of the prisoners have traces of belonging to one of these groups. For years, they terrorized the country and committed brutal acts of violence.
“You have to kill people, you have to rob people, you have to do it to survive”
We talk to 41-year-old Marvin Vasquez. He is handcuffed and constantly guarded. He belonged to the MS-13 gang and has tattoos symbolizing his membership in the criminal organization. – You have to kill people, you have to rob, you have to do it to survive – he claims.
Lessons last only 30 minutes a day. In the remaining 23.5 hours they are locked in their cells. Prisoners who are violent towards other prisoners or guards are placed in solitary confinement.
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In the cell, the only light that enters comes from a small hole in the ceiling. Prisoners can stay there for up to 15 days.
The director mentioned that many people are concerned about the observance of human rights and possible violations. But he is calm about criticism, because he sees what he goes through every day and considers it a suitable punishment.
Even prisoners who are alienated from the community receive limited information from the outside. – I heard that this is the new El Salvador. It's completely different, says Marvin Vasquez.
El Salvador has been under a state of emergency for two years
This new El Salvador is a country ruled by President Naib Bukele. He won power in 2019. More than two years ago, he declared a state of emergency.
This led to a significant reduction in crime. We see services in one of the residential areas. Two and a half thousand officers, police and soldiers are participating in it. The operation will continue throughout the night until all criminals are caught.
Critics of Bukele's government argue that his cabinet has ample room to suppress any dissenting voices. Last week, the US State Department reduced travel restrictions to El Salvador due to “significant declines in crime.”
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The letter also states that the extraordinary security measures implemented by the authorities allow anyone suspected of criminal or gang activity to be arrested and deprived of their constitutional rights.
However, most people we meet ignore this extra display of strength. I asked one of the residents if he was worried about the presence of soldiers at his door. He replied that it was the opposite. I feel safe.
The percentage of prisoners in El Salvador's society is one of the highest in the world. The most dangerous criminals are sent to CECOT. People there often get life imprisonment.
– We did bad things, we will pay for it by serving the punishment – says Marvin Vasquez. For many outsiders, this prison is a symbol of freedom in “New Salvador”.
Main image source: CNN
