In a press conference following the murder of an inmate at La Joya prison, one of the highest security facilities, both officials recognized the strengthening of criminal networks within these prisons.

Montalvo even warned that criminal structures “have escalated and perfected” their operations, resulting in the violence that occurred last week at the prison.

The official admitted that gangs are also present in prisons and asserted that there are leaders who can order these types of murders.

For his part, Fernandez stated that the institution maintains nationwide operations to reinforce citizen security and prevent these types of incidents from impacting the daily lives of the population.

However, she acknowledged that problems like the one at La Joya prison affect other prisons, such as Nueva Esperanza in Colon, where gangs have even detected drone incursions.

Following the armed confrontation at La Joya, the General Directorate of the Penitentiary System temporarily suspended in-person visits as a preventative measure to safeguard overall security.

In this regard, Montalvo also addressed the sentence reduction process, which includes 1,187 eligible inmates.

She explained that the process begins with the publication of the list, comprised of those inmates who meet the requirements to be considered.

After the list is published, she said, a two-day period opens for submitting objections, including a review by all security agencies, which provide additional observations.

The Minister of the Interior emphasized that the list is final only when it is signed by the President of the Republic, Jose Raul Mulino, and published in the Official Gazette.

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