The General Directorate of Penitentiary and Correctional Services (DGSPC) reported that, in the first half of 2024, more than 50 cases of payroll exclusions, arrests and judicial proceedings were confirmed within the country’s penitentiary facilities. According to the statement, the incidents included the detention of officials and the detection of covert corruption structures that had been in place for years.
Institutional response to prison corruption
The document issued by the DGSPC highlighted the need to act firmly against any form of corruption within prisons. “There can be no and we will not accept prisoners giving orders to directors or commanders,” the agency stated. The directorate indicated that authorities will continue dismantling corruption networks and confronting disturbances organized by those involved.
It was emphasized that those responsible and their accomplices will be brought under order, without prejudice to the relevant administrative and judicial actions. The DGSPC will continue monitoring the daily conduct of penitentiary staff with the purpose of cleansing the institution “area by area and center by center.”
Concrete measures and campaign monitoring
Among the actions the DGSPC plans to implement are: raids, seizures of illicit items, new criminal proceedings and requests for additional sentences. Likewise, surveillance will be maintained on family members identified as accomplices who attempt to introduce drugs or other illicit items into penitentiary centers, or who act as links to facilitate corrupt acts.
The institution recalled that education and mandatory work, considered pillars of the rehabilitation of inmates, can only be achieved when each penitentiary center is under the control of legitimate authorities. “Recently we have witnessed some events that demonstrate the fierce fight we maintain against corruption in the penitentiary system: searches, riots, resistance incidents by incarcerated criminals linked to corruption,” the statement said.
Context and consequences
Prison corruption has historically been structural and, according to the DGSPC, the battle will not be won overnight. However, the directorate emphasizes that it will continue confronting it “on all fronts,” including inmates, family members identified as accomplices, and staff caught in acts of corruption.
The DGSPC also activated its emergency plan in response to the rains recorded by RD Control and rehabilitation, which demonstrates the complexity of operations in Dominican prisons and the need for coordination among various entities.
Source credits: n.com.do
