Main measures
Removal of televisions from cells: Entertainment devices will be removed to reduce privileges and restore state authority within prisons.
Suspension of conjugal visits: Conjugal visits are prohibited in all prisons in the country.
Prohibition of transfers of women deprived of liberty: The inmates of the Vilma Curling Rivera Center (Good Shepherd) will no longer be transferred to other centers for intimate visits, a practice that involved high costs and security risks.
Rotation of directors and prison police officers: A rotation system will be implemented to avoid prolonged ties between officials and inmates, reducing the possibility of corruption.
Government Objectives
The Minister of Justice explained that these measures aim to:
Regain state control of prisons.
Severing links between officials and criminal organizations.
Reduce public spending associated with privileges and transfers.
Strengthen prison security.
Reactions
Official support: The Executive defended the measures as necessary to confront the growing influence of organized crime in prisons.
Social and academic criticisms: Some sectors question whether the tightening of conditions without rehabilitation programs could increase internal tension and not fundamentally resolve the structural problems of the prison system.
Public outrage: The population reacted with surprise upon learning that the State was financing the transfer of women for intimate visits, which generated strong criticism about the use of public resources.
Implications
The measures mark a radical shift in Costa Rican prison policy , with a focus on discipline and control. However, experts warn that they will need to be complemented with social reintegration programs to prevent prisons from becoming hotbeds of conflict.