In the Dominican Republic, prisons are severely overcrowded, with thousands of inmates, many of whom have not been charged with a crime, forced to sleep on floors next to overflowing toilets. The country’s prisons operate at seven times their capacity, with over 60% of inmates being held under preventive detention without any charges. The use of preventive detention is meant to protect society and allow for evidence collection, but some detainees have spent up to 20 years in prison without being found guilty.
Despite promises to improve the system, critics argue that the Dominican Republic continues to allow and even push for pretrial detentions in nearly all cases without charges. Conditions within the prisons are dire, with lack of medical care and inhuman conditions. Last year, at least 11 inmates died in a fire at La Victoria National Penitentiary, prompting President Luis Abinader to appoint a commission to overhaul the prison system.
The prison system is on the brink of collapse, with overcrowding, lack of basic amenities, and worsening health conditions. Inmates are not receiving proper medication or medical care, and some prisons lack medical staff altogether. Government corruption is believed to be a significant obstacle in addressing these issues, and the National Commission of Human Rights has called for the closure of several prisons due to the inhumane conditions faced by inmates.
Efforts are being made to build new prisons to alleviate overcrowding, but concerns remain about the treatment of inmates and delays in releasing those who have been cleared of charges. Overall, the Dominican Republic’s prison system is facing significant challenges that need urgent attention to improve conditions for inmates and ensure justice is served.
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