Caracas, Venezuela — Venezuela’s prison system has long been criticized for poor conditions, from overcrowding and procedural delays to unsanitary conditions and allegations of abuse.
These concerns have grown again following the deaths of nine detainees in several detention centers across the country in recent days.
The first incident, in which five people died inside Yare III Prison in Miranda Province, was confirmed at the prison on April 20.
After hours of silence and conflicting reports, the agency issued a statement indicating the deaths were the result of a fight inside the prison.
The victims were identified as Keivin Matamoros, Eliecer Córdoba, Erkin Ramos, José Andrade and Jean Carlos Jiménez.
Last week, the Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) called for an investigation to be conducted to clarify what happened. Moreover, they noted that relatives of the prisoners did not believe the government’s version of events because the deceased reportedly suffered a gunshot wound.
“These claims are particularly concerning in prisons, where the state exercises complete control and where the introduction of weapons cannot be explained without the involvement, tolerance or negligence of the detaining authorities,” the Observatory said.
For this reason, the organization called for the dismissal of Yare III prison director Ángel de Castro.
It also called for prisons to be placed under the supervision of a committee made up of the Caracas-based Prosecutor’s Office, the Ombudsman’s Office, the Prison Service and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to check the current detention situation, ensure the life and safety of prisoners and ensure transparency in the investigation of recent murders.
Family members of other inmates have also publicly asked authorities whether anyone was injured in the incident and, if so, what their condition was.
OVP has previously documented human rights abuses in this prison.
The complaint they filed contains the contents of torture, cruel and inhumane treatment, such as beatings with bats, which are called ‘human rights’, and cruel and inhumane treatment, such as long-term confinement in the ‘Tigrito’ cell, a space without light and ventilation.
4 deaths in recent days
Separately, OVP reported that Loschi Norberto Escalon (71), a victim of a series of corruptions that occurred at Uribana prison in Lara state, northern Venezuela, died on April 21.
They noted that the inmate died on his way back to the prison after officials forced a medical discharge despite his frailty.
The man’s body was reportedly left on the floor of Barquisimeto Central Hospital by security guards. The incident was captured on video and quickly spread through social media.
Similar deaths have also been reported:
- It was reported on April 24 that Yelamo Zárraga José Ramón died in Tocuyito Prison, the country’s largest prison.
- The death of Deivi Enrique García at Rodeo IV was reported on April 20.
- Ovidio Jose Madriz Mendoza’s death at Rodeo III was also reported in April.
The OVP said these individuals “died in conditions of lack of timely medical care and poor living conditions, and they were also victims of state negligence.”
Featured image: Prisoners in Venezuela.
Image source: Venezuelan Prison Observatory (OVP) website.
