Dominican Republic prisons hold thousands without charges in shocking conditions

The Dominican Republic is facing a critical situation regarding its prison system, where overcrowding has become a dire issue. Over 60% of roughly 26,000 inmates are subjected to preventive detention, meaning they have not been formally charged with a crime, leading to significant human rights concerns. Conditions in prisons are severe, with many inmates known as "frog men" forced to sleep on filthy floors, often adjacent to overflowing toilets or primitive sanitation facilities. The La Victoria prison, the country’s oldest and most populated, was built for a maximum of 2,100 inmates but now houses over 7,000, with more than 3,300 undergoing pretrial detention. Activists and human rights organizations have raised alarms about the inhumane conditions, where inmates lack adequate medical care, with some suffering from serious health issues like heart problems and HIV. Reports indicate that medical staff is often absent and that many inmates receive only basic medication, if at all. In recent years, there have been catastrophic incidents that reflect the deteriorating conditions of the penitentiaries. A notable event was a deadly fire at La Victoria, which led to the appointment of Roberto Santana to lead a commission aimed at overhauling the prison system. The government acknowledged the urgent need for reform and expressed intentions to build 25 new prisons by 2028, with a capacity to accommodate more than 20,000 inmates. However, challenges such as public corruption have stalled these efforts in the past, including the suspension of construction on a much-anticipated facility to alleviate overcrowding. Meanwhile, many detainees remain shackled by a bureaucratic system that often causes them to stay in prison even after a judge has ordered their release, underscoring the pervasive dysfunction within the justice system. The assessment of the Dominican Republic's prison system reveals profound institutional issues that must be addressed to respect human rights and mitigate violence. With more than 5,000 inmates suffering from severe medical conditions, the call for immediate improvement in healthcare access and humane living conditions is more pressing than ever. Activists voiced that the current treatment of inmates reflects a disregard for their fundamental rights, positioning them as objects rather than human beings deserving of dignity. As public authorities recommit to reform efforts, the depopulation of existing facilities and the construction of new ones are seemingly essential first steps towards a functioning penal system that upholds the rule of law and protects human rights. In conclusion, the Dominican Republic's prison system symbolizes a broader crisis in governance, accountability, and respect for human rights; without effective intervention, it risks spiraling further into chaos and despair, leaving thousands in deplorable circumstances.