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Overcrowding in the Peruvian prison system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2018

Julio César Magán Zevallos
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Abstract

In this contribution the author examines overcrowding, one of the chronic problems that affect the prison system in Peru. First, the topic of the growth of the prison population during a determined period of years is addressed. Then, the author discusses three options for avoiding or controlling overcrowding in prisons: sending fewer people to prison, increasing the release of prisoners, and expanding existing prisons or building new ones. Finally, the article presents alternative measures of limiting freedom other than sending people to prison, and proposes a long-term solution which includes the participation of different sectors of the Peruvian government.

Keywords

PeruovercrowdingdetentionprisonoffendersINPEcrime
Type
Conditions in detention
Information
International Review of the Red Cross , Volume 98 , Issue 903: Detention: Addressing the human cost , December 2016 , pp. 851 - 858
Copyright
Copyright © icrc 2018 

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References

1 The Unit of Statistics at INPE provides information on different characteristics of the prison population. This information is contained in the monthly statistical reports prepared by INPE, available at: www.inpe.gob.pe/informe_estadistico.html (all internet references were accessed in November 2017).

2 This situation may change following the implementation of Legislative Decree No. 1229, which sets out conditions for private investment in the penitentiary system. For more on Legislative Decree No. 1229, see: http://busquedas.elperuano.com.pe/normaslegales/decreto-legislativo-que-declara-de-interes-publico-y-priorid-decreto-legislativo-n-1229-1292138-8/ (in Spanish).

3 For example, Aurelio Pastor Valdivieso's case for the alleged commission of the crime of influence peddling (see Colin Post, “Former Justice Minister under Alan Garcia Sentenced to Four Years”, Peru Reports, 18 May 2015, available at: https://perureports.com/2015/05/18/former-justice-minister-under-alan-garcia-sentenced-to-four-years/), or Eva Bracamonte Fefer's case for the alleged commission of the crime of parricide (see Hillary Ojeda, “Eva Bracamonte Acquitted from the Murder of Myriam Fefer”, Living in Peru, 29 December 2015, available at: http://mobi.peruthisweek.com/news-eva-bracamonte-acquitted-from-the-murder-of-myriam-fefer-108479/).

4 For example, Law No. 29499 on the electronic monitoring of persons, otherwise known as “electronic tagging”; see: http://historico.pj.gob.pe/CorteSuprema/ncpp/documentos/Ley_29499.pdf (in Spanish).

5 As of June 2016, there were 1,872 persons serving prison sentences for this offence. See INPE, Informe estadístico penitenciario: Junio 2016, Lima, June 2016, p. 33, available at: www.inpe.gob.pe/concurso-a/estad%C3%ADstica/86-junio-2016/file.html.

6 For the Peruvian Criminal Code (in Spanish), see: https://apps.contraloria.gob.pe/unetealcontrol/pdf/07_635.pdf.

7 For example, Law No. 30076 mvodifies the Peruvian Criminal Code, the Code of Criminal Execution and the Code of Children and Teenagers, and creates a registry and protocol with the purpose of combating citizen insecurity.