|
|
back to all reviews...
|
|
check out more activities around the world...
|
san pedro: general info
· city links
· history
things to do
· hostels
· tours
· read reviews
|
|
Name: San Pedro Prison
City: La Paz Bolivia
What's it like?
San Pedro prison is the largest prison in La Paz, Bolivia renowned for being a society within itself. Significantly different from most correctional facilities, inmates at San Pedro have jobs inside the community, pay or rent their accommodation, and often live with their families. The sale of cocaine base to visiting tourists gives those inside a significant income and an unusual amount of freedom within the prison walls. Elected leaders enforce the laws of the community, with stabbings being commonplace. The prison is home to approximately 1,500 inmates, with additional guests staying in the prison hotel.
The book Marching Powder, written by Rusty Young about his experiences during a four month visit to the prison, was published in 2003.
Prison layout
The prison is divided into eight sectors with varying degrees of luxury, and cells are bought or rented for the duration of a prisoner's sentence. The wealthiest area provides inmates with private bathrooms, a kitchen, and cable television; such cells are sold for around US$15,000. One inmate paid for a second floor extension to be built on his cell, giving him views across the city. However, most of those inside the prison live in cramped conditions with it being common for single-room cells to accommodate five people.
The wealthier areas contain market stalls and places to
play games such as billiards and draughts. The canteen and
restaurants are owned and run by the inmates, while other
places sell ingredients for those with kitchens to cook
for themselves.
One of the larger open areas doubles as a small football
pitch, with teams representing each sector regularly competing.
Within the walls there is also a hotel for visiting guests,
a hospital, and a church.
Demographics
Aside from the 1,500 prisoners and the guards there are
numerous others inside the prison walls. The wives and children
of the inmates often stay inside the walls but are allowed
to come and go as they please. Without the income of the
husband they often cannot afford to live by themselves in
the city. They will often provide an important link with
the outside and can bring items into the prison that are
sold on the market stalls or directly from cells. The 200
children are cared for in two nurseries inside the prison
walls or are educated in nearby schools; they spend the
rest of their time playing within the prison grounds.
Around 80% of the inmates are serving sentences for drug-related
offences, and around 75% of the total prisoner population
are awaiting trial. There are on average four deaths every
month inside the prison from natural causes or from violent
attacks. The police rarely enter the prison.
Unlike in many other countries inmates here have the right
to vote in the Bolivian national elections. Political candidates
visit the prison to try to increase their support inside
the community.
Income
There are several sources of income for the prisoners and
those who run the establishment. Coca-Cola have an exclusivity
deal whereby their products are advertised and sold inside
the prison and rival brands are banned. In return they provide
cash, tables, chairs, and umbrellas for the grounds. Most
prisoners have jobs such as messengers, hairdressers, and
shopkeepers, with many profiting from the tourist trade.
Many inside the prison work as tour guides or sell handmade
crafts to the visitors, and tourism provides many of them
with a source of income. There is also a gambling trade,
with betting on the inter-section football matches being
worth up to US$20,000 a year. Players are also sometimes
bought and sold between teams.
Cocaine is produced inside the compound with large laboratories
producing a significant amount of the drug while other inmates
utilise crude processing systems in their own cells. Consequently
the amount of drug use and addiction around the prison is
very high. The cocaine is then trafficked outside, meaning
that the prison is a large supplier of the drug. Alcohol
is also widely available and its sale is an important source
of income for some of those inside the prison.
Laws
Inside San Pedro prison the inmates have developed their
own laws and rules. Each sector annually elects a delegate
(leader) and a financial secretary. There is little tolerance
for those who have committed crimes against women or children
and they are strongly disciplined by other inmates. Many
are killed, and those who survive must pay for the services
of the prison hospital.
Information here (unless otherwise specified) are licenced
under a Creative
Commons Licence.
|
|
|
|
|
