TV variety show host Mariasela Alvarez reminded her viewers of the statements made by the Dominican Republic’s leading prison expert Roberto Santana when in November 2022 he denounced widespread corruption at the La Victoria Jail and urged the opening of areas within the Las Parras jail, built during the past Danilo Medina administration.
Now that a fire has caused at least 13 inmates to lose their lives in the overly crowded La Victoria jail in northern Santo Domingo, the need for the opening of the Las Parras jail is back in the media coverage.
The recent fire has been said by the authorities to have been started by an electricity short circuit in cells 3 and 4, spreading to cells 5 and 6. Yet, a committee was named to determine the causes. Meanwhile, hundreds of inmates were sent to other jails and others were located within the La Victoria Jail. The Victoria Jail is the largest in Santo Domingo and marked to be closed many years ago.
Former President Danilo Medina inaugurated the Las Parras Jail, built at an estimated cost of around RD$7 billion, shortly before leaving office. In a recent press conference, President Luis Abinader said another RD$1.6 billion is needed to open the Las Parras Jail. He said drainage needs to be built as the jail was built in swamp land.
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21 March 2024