Johana Bahamón explained that not all El Salvador prisons are from CECOT, the maximum security prison built Bukele

The actress and activist Johana Bahamón, who also presides over the Internal Action Foundation, recently traveled to El Salvador to learn about the megacárceles built by President Nayib Bukele.

However, Bahamón clarified in an interview with a week Not all El Salvador prisons are like Cecot. According to the activist, this prison is focused on a specific objective: house high dangerous criminals, mainly gang members.

Despite the reputation of these megacárceles, Bahamón also visited other prisons, such as women and young people, as well as prisons of men who are not necessarily related to gangs.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the productivity that is encouraged in these centers”, Said Bahamón in. In his experience, the penitentiary centers of El Salvador are focusing on being productive spaces, not only places of seclusion.

This coincides with the Foundation’s approach, which works in Colombia to transform prisons in places that offer opportunities for rehabilitation and reintegration for inmates.

In addition, he stressed that, as he approached prisons, he observed individuals with yellow t -shirts on the roads. It was people deprived of liberty who have the opportunity to go to work and contribute positively to society.

“I saw people on the roads building them, there were also people who were helping to build hospitals. Something that also caught my attention, is that, corruption inside prisons, is not null, I do not have so much knowledge, but it does notice that there is no corruption. On the other hand, see the order and discipline in there and how everyone is working, but not obliged. I had the opportunity to speak with people deprived of liberty and in their countenance, in their face, they are seen that they are happy doing what they are doing. It is that, as I told them, not all prisons are CECOT, ”he said Bahamón

The model of the Megacárceles de Bukele, which has been widely discussed internationally, is distinguished by its high security and the strict standards that govern the life of inmates.

Although some criticize their punitive approach, Bahamón highlighted efforts to promote productivity and rehabilitation within the penitentiary system.