Chetumal, Q.R. — Ten large dump trucks left the Chetumal prison this week loaded with illegal items accumulated by privileged prisoners. The trucks were brought in after a spot-search of the penitentiary found prisoners with private items such as televisions, stoves and refrigerators.
The Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) dismantled what has been referred to as “VIP” cells within the Social Reintegration Center (Cereso). The official report indicates that tons of prohibited items were seized this week due to the most recent inspection.
State and federal authorities dismantled the “luxury cells” at the Chetumal Centro de Reinserción Social (Cereso) prison, removing prohibited items that included appliances and furniture in an effort to restore order and discipline.
Among the items seized were televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, fans, stationary furniture and various mobile internet devices.
State Secretary of Citizen Security Julio César Torres Gómez confirmed that the items were seized from an inter-institutional operation carried out on October 15. He said the search and subsequent seizure is to put an end to the privileges that for years, were maintained inside the prison.
Julio César Torres Gómez confirmed that the search uncovered a large number of items that “should never have been inside a prison,” such as televisions, refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, fans, furniture and even water purifiers that were controlled by some inmates who sold the filtered water to other inmates.
“There were those who had their own stores inside the prison. That shouldn’t exist. All of that was removed,” he stated.
“Drinking water is provided free of charge. The tanks are refilled daily using internal purification plants. Previously, there was a charge, but that has ended,” he stated.
He said that the goal of the operation is to restore order, discipline and legality, fundamental principles for achieving true social reintegration.
“If there is no discipline within the prisons there is no possibility of reintegration. We are strengthening the dignity and institutional order of the inmates,” he stated.
According to Torres Gómez, the massive removal of illegal items required 10 dump trucks which, he pointed out, gives an idea of the lack of control and the level of accumulation that prevailed inside the Chetumal prison.
“Many people, when there are no rules, accumulate without measure. Everything that shouldn’t be inside the prison was removed. Personal items belonging to the inmates were labeled to be given to their families and the rest was thrown away,” he explained.
Torres Gómez acknowledged that for years there were areas where certain inmates enjoyed privileges with access to amenities far exceeding those of the rest, which generated conflict.
“Instructions are now clear: no more shops, no more cells with luxuries, no more corruption. All inmates must abide by the same rules,” he said.
Torres Gómez reported that infrastructure work is currently underway inside the prison to improve conditions and increase the centre’s capacity to reduce overcrowding.
The operation in Chetumal is part of a state strategy to eradicate privileges, influence peddling and internal businesses that have operated for years in penitentiary centers.
