Ecuador's Prisons: A Growing Crisis Behind Bars

Ecuador's prison system is facing a severe crisis, with a dramatic rise in inmate deaths. In 2025, 1,220 inmates died, marking a significant increase from previous years.

Violence and Illness: A Deadly Combination

• Violence: Gang fights and other violent acts claimed at least 206 lives, a fourfold increase from the previous year.
• Illness: Tuberculosis is spreading rapidly due to overcrowding and a lack of medical care.
• Families Speak Out: Inmates' families report abuse, insufficient food, and poor treatment inside prisons.

Government Response: Is It Enough?

The government has taken steps to address the crisis:

• Military Control: Some prisons are now under military supervision.
• New Prisons: Construction of new facilities is underway.
• High-Profile Transfers: High-risk prisoners have been relocated.

However, deaths remain high, and families and rights groups argue that military presence has worsened conditions.

Overcrowding and International Concern

• The government acknowledges overcrowding but insists they are working to improve conditions.
• The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has urged Ecuador to take action, particularly at the Litoral Penitentiary, one of the most dangerous prisons in the country.

Will Recent Measures Succeed?

• Prisoner Transfers: Around 900 inmates were moved in January to break gang control.
• New Maximum-Security Prison: Construction is underway, but its impact remains uncertain.

The situation remains grim, and only time will tell if these measures will be enough to turn the tide.