After the death of a detainee in the Sarita Colonia del Callao prison, next to Lima, who tested positive for the coronavirus, the detection of four other infected, and the performance of more than 100 rapid tests on inmates of that centre, the National Penitentiary Institute (INPE) of Peru decided not to receive new detainees in prisons until, at least, 26 April.

INPE President David Villar sent a statement to the President of the Judiciary, explaining that the measure is based on contagions in Callao and Carceleta de Lima, but also mentions the overcrowding in the 68 prisons of Peru, which hold more than 97,600 people when the capacity is 40,600.

The Minister of Justice and Human Rights announced that Peru will reopen a former prison to keep detainees who are infected by the virus. Parallel to this decision, the Minister also presented a proposal to the Judiciary with a series of measures to reduce overcrowding in penitentiary establishments and youth centres. It also proposed that the Judiciary expedites procedures for compassionate release of the elderly, as well as, conversion of sentences from prison to conditional release for prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes.

Read more here (in Spanish)

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