Are Jails in Latin America Really Effective?
The incarcerated population in Latin America and the Caribbean exceeds 1.3 million individuals, which is equivalent to 229 inmates per 100 thousand inhabitants. In most countries of Latin America and the Caribbean there is an observable trend toward higher levels of incarceration of the population, generating overcrowding. Thus, we ask ourselvers, are jails really effective in the region?
In most of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, there is an observable trend toward greater levels of incarceration of the population. This could be explained by a combination of higher crime rates, stronger sentencing, and a greater effectiveness of the institutions in charge of monitoring compliance with the laws.
The reality is that this greater demand for incarceration services together with budgetary restrictions to increase the available infrastructure, have created a significant overpopulation of jails in most of Latin America. The level of occupation in jails in the entire region exceeds 100%, with the exception of Argentina which has an occupation level of jails which is close to the maximum that the jail infrastructure allows.
Given this situation, the question that naturally emerges is what is the effectiveness of incarceration as a mechanism to control crime? (in theory, incarceration may contribute to reduce crimes through three mechanisms: inhabilitation, deterrence, and rehabilitation). The alarming levels of jail overcrowding in the region not only deteriorate the life conditions inside the jails, but also limits the potential of these institutions to reform delinquents and even favors the creation of environments that increase the risk of future reoccurrence. Added to this is the fact that the potential of incarceration as a deterrent mechanism seems to be quite modest, so alternative sentencing mechanisms such as electronic monitoring without imprisonment emerge as an effective option, particularly for delinquents whose risk of reoccurrence is lower, as it would avoid their contact with more dangerous criminals in addition to generating important fiscal savings.
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