The Abinader administration has just announced a tender for the construction of 10 new penitentiary units in provinces around the country. The estimated budget calls for spending just over RD$7.5 billion. The most obvious objective of this major construction program is to drastically reduce the overcrowding in the nation’s current penitentiary facilities. Pedernales, Bahoruco (Neiba), Santiago Rodriguez, Hato Mayor, Azua, Cotui (Sanchez Ramirez), Bonao (Monseñor Nouel), El Seibo and Barahona would benefit.
The designs for the new penitentiary series include recreation areas, medical facilities and areas for farming activities. For the facility in Barahona, the prison project calls for incorporating farming areas and sports courts. In Hato Mayor, there will be an area to raise chickens, and in Azua the inmates will raise rabbits and chickens.
According to the report in the Diario Libre, each cell will hold five inmates, but there will be other cells for a fewer number of inmates.
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Listin Diario
Diario Libre
22 September 2025